26.   Authority to Refuse to Perform Notarial Act.

   a.   A notarial officer may refuse to perform a notarial act if the officer is not satisfied that:
 
   (1)   the individual executing the record is competent or has the capacity to execute the record;
 
   (2)   the individual's signature is knowingly and voluntarily made;
 
   (3)   the individual's signature on the record or statement substantially conforms to the signature on a form of identification used to determine the identity of the individual; or
 
   (4)   the physical appearance of the individual signing the record or statement substantially conforms to the photograph on a form of identification used to determine the identity of the individual.
 
   b.   A notarial officer may refuse to perform a notarial act unless refusal is prohibited by law other than P.L.1979, c.460 (C.52:7-10 et seq.), as amended and supplemented by P.L.2021, c.179 (C.59:7-10.1 et al.).
 
   L.2021, c.179, s.26.