AR Notary AR Notary Acknowledgments and Copy Certifications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a certified copy made by an Arkansas notary?
- To attest that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document (Correct answer)
- To guarantee the legal validity of the original document's contents
- To replace the original document if it is lost
- To serve as a sworn affidavit from the document's author
Correct answer: To attest that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document
A notary-certified copy attests only that the copy accurately reproduces the original — it does not validate the content's legal accuracy.
Question 2: What must an Arkansas notary do before certifying a copy of a document?
- Compare the copy to the original to confirm it is a true and complete reproduction (Correct answer)
- Have the document owner sign an affidavit swearing the copy is accurate
- Obtain written permission from the document's issuing authority
- Send the original to the Secretary of State for verification
Correct answer: Compare the copy to the original to confirm it is a true and complete reproduction
The notary must personally compare the copy to the original document to verify the copy is accurate before certifying it.
Question 3: May an Arkansas notary certify a copy of a government-issued driver's license or passport?
- No, government-issued identification documents may not be copy-certified by a notary (Correct answer)
- Yes, any ID presented in person may be certified
- Yes, but only for immigration purposes
- No, unless the request is accompanied by a court order
Correct answer: No, government-issued identification documents may not be copy-certified by a notary
Government-issued identification documents are public records and cannot be copy-certified by an Arkansas notary.
Question 4: Which certificate wording is appropriate for an Arkansas notary certifying a copy of a private document?
- I certify that this is a true and correct copy of a document in the possession of [name] (Correct answer)
- Subscribed and sworn to before me on this day
- Acknowledged before me to be their free and voluntary act
- I attest that the contents of this document are true and accurate
Correct answer: I certify that this is a true and correct copy of a document in the possession of [name]
Copy certification wording attests that the copy accurately matches the original document in the signer's possession.
Question 5: What is the primary distinction between an acknowledgment and a jurat in Arkansas?
- An acknowledgment certifies voluntary signing while a jurat certifies the signer swore to the document's truthfulness (Correct answer)
- An acknowledgment requires two witnesses while a jurat requires none
- A jurat is only used for real estate documents
- An acknowledgment requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence
Correct answer: An acknowledgment certifies voluntary signing while a jurat certifies the signer swore to the document's truthfulness
An acknowledgment certifies the signer voluntarily executed the document; a jurat certifies the signer swore under oath to the document's truthfulness.
Question 6: Who may request a certified copy of a private document from an Arkansas notary?
- Any person who presents the original document to the notary (Correct answer)
- Only the document's original author
- Only licensed attorneys acting on behalf of a client
- Only government agencies with official letterhead requests
Correct answer: Any person who presents the original document to the notary
Any person who possesses and presents the original document to the notary may request a certified copy in Arkansas.
AR Notary AR Notary Acknowledgments and Copy Certifications 2
What is the purpose of a certified copy made by an Arkansas notary?