Short answer: don’t count on it — use an independent notary instead.
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A notary cannot notarize a document they are part of, or one where they (or their spouse) would directly benefit from it.
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Maryland’s Secretary of State also recommends notaries stay out of notarizations for immediate family members, even when no direct benefit is involved — because a family tie can look like an interest later.
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That is why the safe move is a notary with no stake in your document and no family tie to you — which is exactly what an online session with an unrelated Maryland notary gives you.
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If a relative is also a notary, thank them and book elsewhere; it protects both of you and keeps the document from being questioned later.
Posted in remote online notarization
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