Which action may lead to criminal penalties for a notary?

• A. Charging excessive fees
• B. Notarizing a document with false information
• C. Failure to post schedule of fees
• D. Performing notarizations after your commission expires

Answer: (B)

Notaries must attest truthfully to what they witness and certify. If you knowingly notarize a document with information you know is false, you’re participating in fraud and can face criminal penalties, such as charges for perjury or false swearing. The notarial act carries a public trust; lying in that act undermines the integrity of the record and is treated seriously by the law. Other actions listed violate notary rules or ethics and may bring civil penalties or disciplinary action, but the direct path to criminal liability is through knowingly certifying false information.