US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

14-12A-7. Powers and prohibitions.

A.     A notary public is empowered to perform the following notarial acts:   

(1)     acknowledgments;   

(2)     oaths and affirmations;   

(3)     jurats;   

(4)     copy certifications; and   

(5)     any other act so authorized by the law of this state.   

B.     A notary public shall not perform a notarial act if the principal:   

(1)     is not in the notary public's presence at the time of notarization;   

(2)     is not personally known to the notary public or identified by the notary public through satisfactory evidence of identity;   

(3)     shows a demeanor that causes the notary public to have a compelling doubt about whether the principal knows the consequences of the transaction requiring a notarial act; or   

(4)     in the notary public's judgment, is not acting of his own free will.   

C.     A notary public may certify the affixation of a signature by mark on a document presented for notarization if:   

(1)     the mark is affixed in the presence of the notary public and of two credible witnesses unaffected by the document;   

(2)     both witnesses sign their own names beside the mark;   

(3)     the notary public writes below the mark: "Mark affixed by (name of signer by mark) in presence of (names of witnesses) and undersigned notary public pursuant to Subsection C of Section 7 [ 14-12A-7 NMSA 1978] of the Notary Public Act"; and   

(4)     the notary public notarizes the signature by mark through an acknowledgment or jurat.   

D.     A notary public may sign the name of a person physically unable to sign or make a mark on a document presented for notarization if:   

(1)     the person directs the notary public to do so in the presence of two credible witnesses unaffected by the document;   

(2)     the notary public signs the person's name in the presence of the person and the witnesses;   

(3)     both witnesses sign their own names beside the signature;   

(4)     the notary public writes below the signature: "Signature affixed by notary public in the presence of (names and addresses of person and two witnesses) pursuant to Subsection D of Section 7 [ 14-12A-7 NMSA 1978] of the Notary Public Act"; and   

(5)     the notary public notarizes the signature through an acknowledgment or jurat.