AZ Notary Prohibited Acts & Conflicts of Interest 3

Question 1

Which scenario would constitute a conflict of interest for an Arizona notary?

Accepted Answer

Notarizing a real estate deed where the notary is the buyer

Answer

Notarizing for a stranger at a bank

Answer

Notarizing a document written in Spanish

Answer

Notarizing at a location 50 miles from their office

Question 2

An Arizona notary is asked to use misleading titles like 'Notario Publico' in advertising. Is this permitted?

Accepted Answer

No, it may mislead Spanish-speaking clients into believing the notary is an attorney

Answer

Yes, it's simply a Spanish translation

Answer

Yes, if the notary speaks Spanish

Answer

Only in border communities

Question 3

Can an Arizona notary certify that a document is 'legal' or 'valid'?

Accepted Answer

No, notaries only verify identity and willingness to sign

Answer

Yes, that's part of the notarization

Answer

Yes, if the document appears to be properly formatted

Answer

Only for government forms

Question 4

An Arizona notary witnesses a signer who appears to be under duress. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse the notarization

Answer

Proceed if the signer says they want to sign

Answer

Proceed but note the concern in the journal

Answer

Ask the accompanying person to leave the room

Question 5

An Arizona notary charges $15 for a notarization. What rule have they violated?

Accepted Answer

The maximum fee rule — Arizona caps fees at $10 per act

Answer

No rule — notaries set their own fees

Answer

The minimum fee rule — the charge is too low

Answer

The flat fee rule — all acts must cost the same

Question 6

A notary's friend asks them to backdate a notarial certificate to yesterday. How should the notary respond?

Accepted Answer

Refuse — backdating is fraud

Answer

Agree since it's only one day

Answer

Agree if the friend signs a waiver

Answer

Ask the Secretary of State for permission