A notary public cannot notarize a document for him/herself or for an immediate family member, defined as: spouse, domestic partner, descendent, or sibling, including in-laws, step, or half relatives.

A notary public should not certify the acknowledgement to an instrument concerning a transaction in which the notary has a disqualifying interest. For instance, if the notary is a property owner, he or she should not execute an acknowledgement involving that property.

A notary public cannot certify on a copy of a document that it is a true copy of an original document. In Michigan, only the person or agency to whom the document was issued can certify that a copy of the original document is true and accurate.

A notary public is strictly prohibited from using any term that implies the notary is an attorney, and from advertising in a foreign language, unless the following statement is prominently displayed in the same language: "I am not an attorney and have no authority to give advice on immigration or other legal matters." The appropriate fees as specified by statute must also be displayed.

A notary public may not use the term "notario publico" or any equivalent non-English term.

A notary public should not notarize a document:

	unless the person signs it in front of you;
	when you know it is false or part of an illegal or fraudulent scheme;
	if you or a family member has a financial interest.

A notary public should refuse requests for notarial services if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the document in question will be used for unlawful purposes.