The rule of thumb, found in this board and other forms, is "don't notarize your own signature". It's fine as a rule of thumb, which is really just a reminder to stop and think. But nothing with the word "notarize" is going to be an absolute rule, because "notarize" refers to any notarial act, and the various notarial acts each have different rules.
So certainly I cannot administer an affirmation to myself, or take my own acknowledgement, or witness my own signature. I probably can't note a protest for an instrument payable to me. But I can certify a copy, even if the original being copied contains my name or my signature.
I also don't like to say that a notary notarizes a signature, because there is more to it than that. Even for the simplest notarial act in VT, administering an oath or affirmation, the notary
1. Figures out where the oath taker and notary are
2. Figures out what the date is
3. Reads the oath to the oath taker, or listens to the oath taker read it
4. Asks the oath taker if he/ she swears, and listens to the anser
5. Watch the oath signer sign the oath (if required)
6. Writes out the notarial certificate |
