Karen is a notary public who also works as a licensed real estate escrow officer. She earns a commission on a transaction she is handling and is asked to notarize one of the escrow documents. May she notarize?

Yes. A notary acting in the capacity of an escrow holder for a person with a direct financial interest does not have a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction and may notarize.

No. Notaries who are also escrow officers must always use a separate notary.

No. Any financial compensation from a transaction creates a conflict of interest that bars the notary from notarizing.

Yes, but only if she waives her escrow commission before notarizing.