CA Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Can a California notary use an out-of-state acknowledgment certificate form?
- Yes, without restriction
- Yes, as long as it does not require the notary to do something illegal under California law (Correct answer)
- No, only California-specific forms are permitted
- Only for federal documents
Correct answer: Yes, as long as it does not require the notary to do something illegal under California law
A California notary may complete an out-of-state certificate form as long as its language does not require the notary to perform any act prohibited by California law.
Question 2: What action must a California notary take if a pre-printed certificate on a document contains incorrect notarial language?
- Cross out and initial the incorrect language only
- Refuse to notarize or attach a separate California-compliant certificate (Correct answer)
- Complete the form as presented regardless of content
- Contact the Secretary of State for guidance before proceeding
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize or attach a separate California-compliant certificate
If a pre-printed certificate contains improper language, the notary should refuse to use it and may attach a separate, California-compliant certificate instead.
Question 3: For an acknowledgment, what must the notary personally verify about the signer?
- That the signer read the document
- That the signer personally appeared and is who they claim to be (Correct answer)
- That the document is free of errors
- That the signer has legal authority to sign
Correct answer: That the signer personally appeared and is who they claim to be
The notary must verify that the signer personally appeared before them and satisfactorily proved their identity.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT required in a California jurat certificate?
- Notary's signature
- The oath or affirmation wording
- Notary's commission expiration date
- The document's full legal description (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The document's full legal description
A jurat certificate does not require a full legal description of the document; it requires the oath wording, notary signature, seal, and commission expiration date.
Question 5: How does California define 'satisfactory evidence' of identity for notarizations?
- Any government-issued card
- Oath of a credible witness or an acceptable ID document (Correct answer)
- Two utility bills showing the signer's address
- A credit card with the signer's name
Correct answer: Oath of a credible witness or an acceptable ID document
California law defines satisfactory evidence as an acceptable ID document or the oath of one or two credible witnesses who personally know the signer.
Question 6: What is the maximum number of individuals who can be acknowledged in a single California notarial certificate?
- One
- Two
- Four
- No limit, as long as all appear simultaneously (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No limit, as long as all appear simultaneously
California law does not limit the number of signers who may be acknowledged on a single certificate, provided all appeared before the notary.
CA Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats 2
Can a California notary use an out-of-state acknowledgment certificate form?