The primary role of a notary is to ensure that the person signing a document is who they claim to be and that they are signing willingly.
A notary should refuse to notarize if they believe the signer is being coerced or is under duress.
These elements are required to make the notarization valid and enforceable.
Michigan notaries commonly administer oaths and affirmations, especially for affidavits and sworn statements.
Acknowledgment requires the notary to confirm the identity of the signer and witness the signature or have the signer acknowledge that they signed the document voluntarily.
