Utah Notary Practice Test

When a notary suspects that a signer is being coerced into signing a document, the most appropriate action is to refuse to notarize the document. This is because the notary's primary responsibility is to ensure that signers are acting willingly and without undue influence. Coercion undermines the integrity of the notarization process, leading to questions about the authenticity of the signer's consent.

By refusing to notarize in such circumstances, the notary protects both the integrity of the notarial act and the rights of the signer. Notarization requires that the signer be aware of the document's content and voluntarily agree to it. When coercion is suspected, the conditions necessary for a legitimate notarization are compromised, which is why proceeding with the notarization would be inappropriate.

The other options either involve continuing with the notarization or taking actions that might not be appropriate for the notary's role. Therefore, choosing to refuse notarization aligns with the ethical standards expected of notaries and ensures that all signers are protected in their decision-making.