Can a notary notarize a document for a signer who is not physically present before the notary (in a traditional notarization)?

Personal appearance is a foundational requirement: in a traditional notarization, the signer must physically appear before the notary at the time of the act. This lets the notary verify the signer's identity, confirm the signer is acting willingly and appears competent, and administer any required oath. Notarizing for an absent signer — even one the notary knows well, or 'just this once' as a favor — is a serious prohibited act and a common cause of notary discipline and liability, because it defeats the purpose of notarization. (Remote online notarization, where authorized, uses audio-video technology to satisfy a form of appearance, but that is a separate, regulated process.)