A competent signer asks a notary to administer a proper oath for an affidavit, offers the lawful fee, and is refused solely because the notary finds the task inconvenient. Which statement is most accurate?

AI Explanation

A notary is not free to refuse every proper request. Under the booklet's "Notary must officiate on request" discussion and Penal Law §195.00 as cited there, an officer before whom an oath or affidavit may be taken is bound to administer it when requested, and refusal is a misdemeanor. In practice, this is tested as a duty-of-office question, not just customer service etiquette.