True or False: A notarial officer may notarize a record in which their spouse has a direct beneficial interest.

• A. False
• B. Only with authorization
• C. Depends on record
• D. True

Answer: (A)

Notaries must act as impartial witnesses. If the notary or a close family member has a direct beneficial interest in the subject matter or the outcome of the record, the notarial act cannot be performed because impartiality would be compromised. Here, the spouse has a direct beneficial interest in the record, so notarizing it would create a conflict of interest and could undermine the integrity of the notarization. Therefore, the proper response is to decline the notarization and, if possible, have the document notarized by someone with no such interest or resolve the interest before notarization. This is why the statement is false.