3.1 Prohibited Acts
Key Takeaways
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot notarize if you have a financial interest
- Cannot provide legal advice
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
- Cannot notarize without proper identification
Last updated: January 2026
Understanding prohibited acts protects your commission and the public.
Major Prohibitions
| Prohibited Act | Reason |
|---|---|
| Self-notarization | Conflict of interest |
| Financial interest | Bias concerns |
| Legal advice | Unauthorized practice of law |
| Incomplete documents | Fraud prevention |
| Without proper ID | Identity verification required |
| Signer not present | Core notary requirement |
Consequences
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Minor violation | Warning or reprimand |
| Serious violation | Commission revocation |
| Criminal act | Prosecution |
| Civil harm | Personal liability |
Best Practices
- Always verify identity properly
- Never notarize blank or incomplete documents
- Refuse if you have any financial interest
- Never provide legal advice
- Maintain your journal accurately
On the Exam
- Self-notarization: Never allowed
- Financial interest: Disqualifies notary
- Legal advice: Prohibited
- Personal appearance: Always required
Exam Focus
For Prohibited Acts, memorize the boundaries of the office. A notary or licensee should not give legal advice, choose a certificate for a customer, notarize incomplete documents, ignore personal appearance, proceed with coercion or confusion, or act when a conflict of interest exists. Exam scenarios often hide the violation inside a routine request from a friend, employer, family member, or rushed customer. If the answer lets the official skip identity, impartiality, document completeness, or recordkeeping, treat it as suspect.
Test Your Knowledge
Can a Colorado notary notarize a document in which they have a financial interest?
A
B
C
D