Notary Handbook - the Montana Secretary of State Website

The MUSTS & MUSTN’TS
(CON’T.)
You mustn’t EVER notarize your own signature.
You mustn’t notarize anyone’s signature on a document in which you are named
or from which you will directly benefit.
You mustn’t certify a document issued by a public entity unless you work in the
office where the original is maintained.
You mustn’t sign as a representative of an entity and then notarize any signature
on that same document.
Your notary seal/stamp mustn’t be placed in such a way as to obstruct any other
part of the notarial block, if at all possible.
A notarization does not render a document legal or illegal; an
improper notarization can result in a document being useless for the
purpose for which it was intended.
For More Information, visit our website at www.sos.mt.gov/Notary
ALWAYS REMEMBER…
RULE NUMBER ONE
The person whose signature, oath, or acknowledgement is being
notarized MUST appear before the notary at the time the
notarial act takes place.
ALWAYS.
EVERY TIME.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
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