What can happen to a notary who performs a notarization improperly, such as notarizing without the signer present?

A notary who performs an act improperly can face serious consequences. Civilly, the notary (and possibly their employer or surety bond) may be liable for damages caused by the misconduct, such as losses from a fraudulent document. Administratively, the commissioning authority can discipline the notary, including suspending or revoking the commission. In serious cases — for example, knowingly notarizing a forged signature or notarizing without the required personal appearance — the notary can face criminal charges. This is why following the rules exactly (personal appearance, proper identification, required oaths, accurate records) matters: shortcuts expose the notary to real legal and financial risk.