Connecticut Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which technology requirement must a Connecticut RON platform meet?

It must be approved or accepted by the Secretary of the State (Correct answer)
It must be approved by the IRS
It must use blockchain technology exclusively
It must be operated from a server physically located in Connecticut

Correct answer: It must be approved or accepted by the Secretary of the State

Connecticut RON platforms must be approved or accepted by the Secretary of the State to ensure they meet security and reliability standards.

Question 2: Can a notary charge extra for notarizing documents after business hours?

Only with prior written approval from the state
No, the same fee must be charged at all times
Yes, additional convenience fees may be charged beyond the statutory notarization fee (Correct answer)
Only on weekends

Correct answer: Yes, additional convenience fees may be charged beyond the statutory notarization fee

Many states allow notaries to charge convenience or after-hours fees in addition to the statutory maximum for the notarial act itself, as these fees compensate for the notary's time and inconvenience.

Question 3: Two signers on the same document appear before the notary at different times of the same day. How should the notary handle the certificates?

Complete a separate notarial act and certificate for each signer's appearance (Correct answer)
Notarize only for the first signer
Wait until both can appear together
Use one certificate naming both signers since it is the same day

Correct answer: Complete a separate notarial act and certificate for each signer's appearance

Each personal appearance is a separate notarial act, so each signer's appearance must be certified individually.

Question 4: What is the legal risk of taking a false oath during a jurat for the signer?

A civil fine paid to the notary
Automatic voiding of their identification
Prosecution for perjury or false statement (Correct answer)
Loss of the notary's commission

Correct answer: Prosecution for perjury or false statement

Swearing falsely under oath exposes the signer to perjury or false statement charges, which gives the jurat its legal force.

Question 5: How should a Connecticut notary attach a loose certificate to a multi-page document?

Keep the certificate in the notary's own files
Securely attach it to the document and reference the document within the certificate (Correct answer)
Hand it to the signer separately for later stapling
Mail it separately to the recipient

Correct answer: Securely attach it to the document and reference the document within the certificate

A loose certificate should be firmly attached and describe the document it belongs to, preventing fraudulent reuse.

Question 6: After completing a Connecticut RON session, where must the notary make an entry documenting the act?

In a separate RON-only register maintained by the Secretary of the State
No journal entry is required for RON sessions
In their notarial journal, noting it was performed as a remote online notarization (Correct answer)
Only in the audio-video recording, which serves as the official record

Correct answer: In their notarial journal, noting it was performed as a remote online notarization

Connecticut notaries must record RON sessions in their notarial journal, noting that the act was performed remotely, in addition to retaining the audio-video recording.

Question 7: Which situation most clearly disqualifies a Connecticut notary from notarizing a document?

The notary will receive a direct financial benefit from the transaction (Correct answer)
The document is written in a language the signer speaks fluently
The signer is the notary's coworker
The notary works for the company preparing the document

Correct answer: The notary will receive a direct financial benefit from the transaction

A direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction disqualifies the notary.

Question 8: Can a member of the public request to inspect a notary's journal?

Only the original signers can view their own entries
No, the journal is completely private
Only law enforcement can view it
Generally yes, the journal is a public record that may be inspected under state law (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Generally yes, the journal is a public record that may be inspected under state law

Notary journals are generally considered public records. Many states allow members of the public to inspect journal entries, though personal information may have some protections.

Question 9: Can a Connecticut notary use their existing physical ink stamp for electronic notarizations?

Yes, by scanning and attaching an image of the stamp to the document
Yes, but only if the document is printed, stamped, and then rescanned
No, electronic notarizations require no seal at all
No, an electronic notarial seal that meets CT requirements must be used instead (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No, an electronic notarial seal that meets CT requirements must be used instead

Electronic notarizations require an electronic notarial seal meeting CT requirements rather than the physical stamp used for paper documents.

Question 10: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable form of identification for notarization?

A valid US passport
A current military ID card
A current state driver's license
An expired government-issued photo ID (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An expired government-issued photo ID

Expired identification documents are generally not acceptable because they may no longer accurately represent the signer's current appearance or information.

Question 11: A signer refuses to let the notary record the notarization in a journal, claiming privacy rights. The most defensible response is:

Record the entry secretly after the signer leaves, guessing at details
Agree and perform the notarization with no record
Call the police immediately
Explain that the entry documents only the act, and decline to proceed without it if that is the notary's standard practice (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Explain that the entry documents only the act, and decline to proceed without it if that is the notary's standard practice

A notary may adopt a consistent practice of journaling every act and may decline service when a signer refuses reasonable record keeping.

Question 12: What action must a Connecticut notary take when resigning their commission?

Return the commission certificate to the Governor's office
Destroy their notary seal immediately
Submit a written resignation to the Secretary of the State (Correct answer)
File notice with the Superior Court

Correct answer: Submit a written resignation to the Secretary of the State

A Connecticut notary wishing to resign must submit a written resignation to the Secretary of the State.

Question 13: During a notarization, the notary suspects the presented passport is counterfeit. What should the notary do?

Refuse the notarization because satisfactory evidence of identity is lacking (Correct answer)
Notarize but keep a photocopy of the passport
Accept it if the signer swears it is genuine
Notarize and report the passport afterward

Correct answer: Refuse the notarization because satisfactory evidence of identity is lacking

A document the notary reasonably believes is fake cannot serve as satisfactory evidence, so the notarization must be refused.

Question 14: What should a notary do if they suspect a signer is using fraudulent identification?

Refuse to perform the notarization and document the refusal (Correct answer)
Complete the notarization but note concerns in the journal
Contact the signer's bank to verify identity
Accept the ID but add a disclaimer to the certificate

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization and document the refusal

If a notary suspects fraudulent identification, they must refuse to notarize. Proceeding despite suspicion could make the notary liable for facilitating fraud.

Question 15: Under Connecticut law, is a notary public required to use an official seal or stamp when notarizing a paper document?

Yes, an inked rubber stamp is mandatory
Only when notarizing real estate documents
No, a seal is optional in Connecticut (Correct answer)
Yes, but only an embosser is permitted

Correct answer: No, a seal is optional in Connecticut

Connecticut does not require notaries to use a seal or stamp on paper documents, though many use one voluntarily.

Question 16: A signer presents a driver's license that expired two years ago. What should the Connecticut notary do?

Accept it if the signer also shows a credit card
Notarize but note the expiration in the certificate
Decline it and request a current, unexpired form of identification (Correct answer)
Accept it because it still shows a photo

Correct answer: Decline it and request a current, unexpired form of identification

Identification documents must be current, so an expired license should not be relied upon as satisfactory evidence.

Question 17: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a Connecticut notary commission?

16 years old
18 years old (Correct answer)
25 years old
21 years old

Correct answer: 18 years old

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to become a Connecticut notary public.

Question 18: How long is a Connecticut notary public commission term, which determines the expiration date shown on certificates?

Two years
Five years (Correct answer)
Ten years
Life, with no expiration

Correct answer: Five years

Connecticut notary commissions last five years, and that expiration date must appear with the notary's signature on certificates.

Question 19: How long is a Connecticut notary public commission valid, a fact the notary must track for accurate certificates?

Two years
Five years (Correct answer)
Life, unless revoked
Ten years

Correct answer: Five years

Connecticut notary commissions run for five years, and the expiration date must appear correctly on certificates.

Question 20: What is the primary difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat in Connecticut?

They are identical notarial acts
A jurat is only for court documents
An acknowledgment requires an oath; a jurat does not
An acknowledgment confirms voluntary signing; a jurat requires signing and swearing before the notary (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An acknowledgment confirms voluntary signing; a jurat requires signing and swearing before the notary

An acknowledgment verifies that the signer executed the document voluntarily and understands its contents, while a jurat requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence and take an oath as to the truthfulness of the document.

Question 21: A hospital patient heavily sedated with pain medication asks for a power of attorney to be notarized. The notary should:

Decline if the patient cannot demonstrate awareness of the transaction (Correct answer)
Proceed because hospital staff requested it
Notarize quickly before the medication wears off
Have the doctor sign in the patient's place

Correct answer: Decline if the patient cannot demonstrate awareness of the transaction

A notary should refuse when the signer appears to lack awareness or understanding of the transaction at the time of signing.

Question 22: How long must a notary retain their journal records?

No retention requirement exists
Only during the current commission term
30 days after each notarization
For the period specified by state law, typically 7-10 years after the last entry (Correct answer)

Correct answer: For the period specified by state law, typically 7-10 years after the last entry

Most states require notaries to retain their journals for a specified period, often 7-10 years, to allow for future reference and investigation of notarial acts.

Question 23: A regular client the notary has notarized for twice before arrives without ID. The notary knows her only from those two brief visits. The notary should:

Proceed but charge a higher fee
Rely on personal knowledge and proceed
Proceed if she can recite her address
Require ID or a credible witness because casual acquaintance is not personal knowledge (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Require ID or a credible witness because casual acquaintance is not personal knowledge

Personal knowledge requires familiarity over time sufficient to eliminate reasonable doubt, which brief business encounters do not establish.

Question 24: Which oath wording is appropriate when administering a jurat?

"Do you confirm this is your usual signature style?"
"Do you solemnly swear that the contents of this document are true, so help you God?" (Correct answer)
"Do you promise to deliver this document promptly?"
"Do you agree to hold the notary harmless?"

Correct answer: "Do you solemnly swear that the contents of this document are true, so help you God?"

The oath must address the truthfulness of the document's contents, which is the substance the signer is swearing to.

Question 25: Before relying on a credible witness's identification of a signer, the notary should:

Photocopy the witness's ID for the record
Collect an extra fee from the witness
Administer an oath or affirmation to the witness regarding the signer's identity (Correct answer)
Have the witness sign the document as a co-signer

Correct answer: Administer an oath or affirmation to the witness regarding the signer's identity

The credible witness should swear or affirm to the signer's identity under oath before the notary relies on it.

Question 26: A document's certificate wording is a jurat, but the signer already signed it at home. What is the proper remedy?

Notarize a photocopy instead
Have the signer re-sign the document in the notary's presence before taking the oath (Correct answer)
Cross out the jurat and write "acknowledged" without asking
Complete the jurat since the ink is genuine

Correct answer: Have the signer re-sign the document in the notary's presence before taking the oath

Because a jurat requires signing before the notary, having the signer sign again in the notary's presence cures the defect.

Question 27: When a Connecticut notary performs a RON, where is the notarization legally considered to have taken place?

Where the RON platform's servers are hosted
Where the notary is physically located (Correct answer)
Where the signer is physically located
In the county listed on the document being notarized

Correct answer: Where the notary is physically located

For a Connecticut RON, the notarization is legally deemed to have taken place in the jurisdiction where the notary is physically present.

Question 28: What is credible witness identification?

A trusted third party personally known to both the notary and signer vouches for the signer's identity (Correct answer)
A court-appointed identity verifier
A witness who watches the signing process
An online identity verification service

Correct answer: A trusted third party personally known to both the notary and signer vouches for the signer's identity

Credible witness identification allows one or two credible witnesses who personally know the signer to vouch for their identity when the signer lacks acceptable ID.

Question 29: A notary's journal is stolen from her car. What is the most prudent first step?

Report the theft and notify the appropriate authorities, including the Secretary of the State (Correct answer)
Publish the loss in a newspaper before doing anything else
Buy a new journal and recreate old entries from memory
Do nothing since Connecticut does not require a journal

Correct answer: Report the theft and notify the appropriate authorities, including the Secretary of the State

Reporting a lost or stolen journal creates a record of the loss and protects the notary if old entries are later questioned.

Question 30: What is one of the primary responsibilities of a notary public regarding legal documents?

To provide legal advice on the content of the documents.
To guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in the documents.
To ensure that all parties involved understand the contents of the documents being notarized. (Correct answer)
To draft legal documents for the parties involved.

Correct answer: To ensure that all parties involved understand the contents of the documents being notarized.

While notaries cannot provide legal advice, they have a crucial responsibility to ensure that the signer appears to understand the nature and purpose of the document they are signing. If a signer seems confused or unsure, the notary should advise them to seek legal counsel. This helps prevent fraud, ensures the signer is acting knowingly and voluntarily, and upholds the integrity of the notarial act.

Question 31: Which residency requirement must a Connecticut notary applicant meet?

Must own property in Connecticut
Must have lived in Connecticut for at least 5 years
Must be a Connecticut resident or have a principal place of employment in Connecticut (Correct answer)
Must be a US citizen

Correct answer: Must be a Connecticut resident or have a principal place of employment in Connecticut

An applicant must either reside in Connecticut or have their principal place of employment or practice in the state.

Question 32: The certificate on a document is written in a language the Connecticut notary cannot read. What should the notary do?

Ask the signer to translate it orally and rely on that
Sign it anyway since certificates are standard
Decline to complete it and attach a certificate in a language the notary understands, if appropriate (Correct answer)
White-out the foreign wording and sign below

Correct answer: Decline to complete it and attach a certificate in a language the notary understands, if appropriate

A notary should never sign certificate wording they cannot read and may instead attach a proper certificate they understand.

Question 33: If a signer does not have an acceptable form of ID, what alternative method can a notary use to verify their identity?

The notary may use personal knowledge of the signer or a credible witness who can vouch for the signer's identity. (Correct answer)
The notary should refuse to notarize the document and suggest the signer obtain ID.
The notary can accept a verbal confirmation of the signer’s identity from another person not present at the signing.
The notary should proceed without any verification if the signer claims they have no ID.

Correct answer: The notary may use personal knowledge of the signer or a credible witness who can vouch for the signer's identity.

When a signer lacks acceptable government-issued identification, notaries can still proceed with the notarization by relying on alternative, legally recognized methods. These include the notary's personal knowledge of the signer (if they genuinely know them) or the use of a credible identifying witness. A credible witness is an impartial person who knows the signer, possesses acceptable identification, and takes an oath or affirmation to vouch for the signer's identity, providing a legally sound alternative for verification.

Question 34: A title company pressures a notary to 'witness' signatures that were made before the notary arrived. Proceeding would violate which core duty?

The duty to keep the seal secure
The duty to renew the commission on time
The duty to charge correct fees
The duty to require personal appearance and actually witness or take acknowledgment properly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The duty to require personal appearance and actually witness or take acknowledgment properly

Certifying acts the notary did not actually perform is a false certification and violates the appearance requirement.

Question 35: When a signer executes a document by making a mark, what is a recommended best practice for the notary?

Notarize only if the signer's spouse approves
Refuse the notarization and send the signer to an attorney
Have disinterested witnesses observe the mark and note the circumstances in the journal (Correct answer)
Sign the signer's full name next to the mark without noting anything

Correct answer: Have disinterested witnesses observe the mark and note the circumstances in the journal

Witnesses to the mark and a journal entry describing the circumstances protect against later challenges to the signature.

Question 36: A notary's spouse asks the notary to notarize a deed transferring property to the notary. The notary should:

Decline because the notary is a party with a beneficial interest in the transaction (Correct answer)
Proceed, since spouses may notarize for each other
Notarize but waive the fee
Proceed if a witness is present

Correct answer: Decline because the notary is a party with a beneficial interest in the transaction

A notary must not notarize a document in which the notary is a party or has a direct beneficial or financial interest.

Question 37: What should a notary do if presented with an expired government-issued ID?

The notary should proceed with the notarization but make a note of the expiration on the document.
The notary can accept the expired ID if it looks valid and the signer is otherwise known.
The notary should refuse to notarize the document if the ID is expired, as it does not meet the requirement for verifying identity. (Correct answer)
The notary should call the issuing agency to confirm the ID's validity.

Correct answer: The notary should refuse to notarize the document if the ID is expired, as it does not meet the requirement for verifying identity.

An expired government-issued ID is generally not considered a valid form of identification for notarization purposes. State laws typically require current, unexpired identification to ensure that the document accurately reflects the signer's current identity and status. Accepting an expired ID could compromise the integrity of the notarial act, potentially leading to questions about the signer's identity and exposing the notary to liability.

Question 38: A title company rejects a deed because the notary used jurat wording instead of acknowledgment wording. What went wrong?

The notary attached certificate language that did not match the act the document required (Correct answer)
The signer used the wrong pen color
The notary charged too high a fee
The deed lacked a second witness for the jurat

Correct answer: The notary attached certificate language that did not match the act the document required

Certificate wording must match the notarial act the receiving party requires, and deeds are normally acknowledged rather than sworn.

Question 39: How long is a Connecticut notary public commission term for which the appointment fee is paid?

Life, with no renewal needed
Five years (Correct answer)
Two years
Ten years

Correct answer: Five years

A Connecticut notary commission lasts five years, after which renewal and a new fee are required.

Question 40: Can a notary notarize a document for a signer who does not speak English?

Yes, if the notary can communicate with the signer directly or through an interpreter (Correct answer)
No, all signers must speak English
Only for documents written in the signer's language
Only with court approval

Correct answer: Yes, if the notary can communicate with the signer directly or through an interpreter

A notary may notarize for a non-English speaker if communication can be established, either because the notary speaks the signer's language or through a qualified interpreter.

Question 41: What information is NOT required to be on a Connecticut notary's official seal or stamp?

The notary's home address (Correct answer)
The notary's commission expiration date
The words 'Notary Public'
The notary's name

Correct answer: The notary's home address

A Connecticut notary's seal must include their name, the words 'Notary Public,' and the state, but does not require the notary's home address.

Question 42: Can a Connecticut notary perform a RON for a signer physically located outside the United States?

No, RON is only available for US residents
No, unless the notary travels to the signer's location
Yes, but only if the signer is a US citizen abroad
Yes, if the notarial act is lawful under Connecticut law and the signer is properly identified (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, if the notarial act is lawful under Connecticut law and the signer is properly identified

Connecticut RON allows notarization of signers located outside the US provided the notarial act is permitted under CT law and identity is properly verified.

Question 43: A signer presents a driver's license with a photo that looks noticeably different from the person standing before the notary. What should the CT notary do?

Ask the signer to sign twice for comparison and then proceed
Refuse to notarize until identity can be established through other satisfactory evidence (Correct answer)
Proceed, since the license is government-issued
Notarize but add a note expressing doubt in the certificate

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize until identity can be established through other satisfactory evidence

If the notary cannot reasonably match the photo to the signer, identity is not established and the notarization must be refused.

Question 44: A document going to a foreign country will need an apostille. Why must the Connecticut notary's certificate be especially complete and accurate?

The notary personally issues the apostille
The Secretary of the State verifies the notary's signature and certificate before issuing the apostille (Correct answer)
Apostilles are only issued for embossed documents
Foreign countries require certificates in duplicate

Correct answer: The Secretary of the State verifies the notary's signature and certificate before issuing the apostille

Apostille processing involves the Secretary of the State authenticating the notarization, so defects in the certificate can cause rejection.

Question 45: In which situation is an acknowledgment certificate INVALID?

The document was signed a month before the notarization
The signer declared the signature was made voluntarily
The signer never personally appeared before the notary (Correct answer)
The signer used a credible witness for identification

Correct answer: The signer never personally appeared before the notary

Personal appearance before the notary is always required for an acknowledgment, even though prior signing is allowed.

Question 46: What happens to the validity of a Connecticut electronic notarization if the notary's commission later expires?

The notarization becomes void upon expiration
The notarization is valid for one year after the commission expires
The notarization remains legally valid if it was performed before expiration (Correct answer)
The notarization must be re-executed within 30 days of expiration

Correct answer: The notarization remains legally valid if it was performed before expiration

A notarization performed while a commission was valid remains legally valid even after the commission subsequently expires.

Question 47: What should a notary do if the certificate wording on a document is missing?

Ask the signer to write their own certificate
Attach an appropriate loose certificate with the correct notarial wording (Correct answer)
Write the wording freehand on the document
Refuse to notarize the document entirely

Correct answer: Attach an appropriate loose certificate with the correct notarial wording

If certificate wording is missing, the notary should attach a separate loose certificate containing the appropriate acknowledgment or jurat language, completed and signed by the notary.

Question 48: How should a notary handle their journal of notarial acts?

The notary should leave the journal in a public place for transparency.
The notary can share the journal with anyone who requests to view it.
The notary should discard the journal after a certain period.
The notary should keep the journal secure and confidential, allowing access only as required by law. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary should keep the journal secure and confidential, allowing access only as required by law.

A notary's journal is a critical record of all notarial acts performed and often contains sensitive personal information. Notaries are legally required to maintain their journal securely to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized access. Access to the journal is typically restricted to the notary, authorized law enforcement, or by court order, ensuring confidentiality and accountability.

Question 49: A Connecticut notary is asked to notarize a will's self-proving affidavit, but the certificate space is torn off. The signer hands over a certificate from a different, unrelated document. What should the notary do?

Decline to reuse it and attach a new, properly completed certificate identifying the current document (Correct answer)
Reuse the old certificate since the wording is similar
Notarize without any certificate
Staple the old certificate and initial it

Correct answer: Decline to reuse it and attach a new, properly completed certificate identifying the current document

A certificate may never be transferred between documents; a fresh certificate identifying the correct document must be completed.

Question 50: Which detail helps prevent a loose certificate from being fraudulently moved to another document?

Folding the certificate in half
Using blue ink instead of black
Signing only in cursive
Describing the underlying document (title, date, number of pages) on the certificate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Describing the underlying document (title, date, number of pages) on the certificate

Identifying the attached document by title, date, signer, and page count ties the certificate to that specific document.

Question 51: A Connecticut notary receives a subpoena for records of a notarization they performed. What is the appropriate response?

Refer the subpoena to the original signer for permission
Ignore it because notary records are confidential
Comply with the lawful subpoena and provide the requested records (Correct answer)
Destroy the records to protect the signer

Correct answer: Comply with the lawful subpoena and provide the requested records

Notarial acts are official records, and a notary must comply with lawful court orders and subpoenas.

Question 52: A notary's neighbor asks them to certify that a photocopy of a diploma is a 'true copy.' The document's custodian is the neighbor. What is the widely accepted approach in Connecticut?

Stamp the photocopy itself as a true copy of a vital record
Have the custodian sign a written declaration about the copy's accuracy and notarize that declaration (Correct answer)
Refuse because copies can never be addressed
Sign the diploma directly

Correct answer: Have the custodian sign a written declaration about the copy's accuracy and notarize that declaration

The accepted method is notarizing the custodian's sworn declaration that the copy is true, rather than certifying the copy directly.

Question 53: What is a jurat, and when is it typically used?

A jurat involves the notary making a copy of the document for the record.
A jurat is a type of acknowledgment where the notary only verifies the signature of the document.
A jurat is used to witness the signing of a document without any additional affirmation.
A jurat is a notarial act where the notary administers an oath to the signer and then affixes a certificate to the document to confirm the oath was administered. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A jurat is a notarial act where the notary administers an oath to the signer and then affixes a certificate to the document to confirm the oath was administered.

A jurat is a notarial act specifically used for documents where the signer must swear or affirm to the truthfulness of the document's contents. The notary administers an oath or affirmation, verifies the signer's identity, and witnesses the signer's signature. The notarial certificate then confirms that the document was 'subscribed and sworn to' or 'affirmed' before the notary, attesting to the oath's administration.

Question 54: A woman presents an ID in her maiden name but is signing a deed in her married name. What is the CT notary's best course of action?

Decline unless identity under the name being signed can be established by satisfactory evidence (Correct answer)
Have her sign both names and pick one later
Notarize since the first name matches
Cross out the married name on the deed and write the maiden name

Correct answer: Decline unless identity under the name being signed can be established by satisfactory evidence

The notary must be able to identify the signer under the name being used on the document, or the notarization should be refused.

Question 55: A daughter presents her elderly mother's signed deed and says her mother is too ill to appear. The mother is not present. The notary should:

Notarize if the daughter shows the mother's ID
Notarize based on the daughter's sworn statement
Refuse, because the signer must personally appear before the notary (Correct answer)
Call the mother by phone to confirm and then notarize

Correct answer: Refuse, because the signer must personally appear before the notary

Personal appearance of the signer is required and cannot be delegated to a relative or satisfied by a phone call for a standard notarization.

Question 56: What is the required surety bond amount for a Connecticut notary public?

$25,000
$15,000 (Correct answer)
$5,000
$10,000

Correct answer: $15,000

Connecticut law requires notaries to obtain a surety bond in the amount of $15,000 before their commission becomes effective.

Question 57: Which of the following is an ethical use of the notary's official seal or stamp?

Using it to make business flyers look official
Lending it to a trusted coworker during vacation
Applying it only to certificates for notarizations the notary actually performed (Correct answer)
Pre-stamping blank certificates to save time

Correct answer: Applying it only to certificates for notarizations the notary actually performed

The seal may only be used by the notary personally on genuine notarial certificates.

Question 58: A signer becomes irritated when asked for identification and says the notary is being insulting. The notary should:

Politely explain that identification is legally required and proceed only if it is provided (Correct answer)
Notarize but write 'identity not verified' in the journal
Skip the ID check to avoid conflict
Ask a coworker to vouch for the signer

Correct answer: Politely explain that identification is legally required and proceed only if it is provided

Verifying identity is a legal duty that cannot be waived because a signer objects.

Question 59: A signer asks a Connecticut notary whether her power of attorney will still be valid after she moves to Florida. The notary should:

Assure her it is valid nationwide
Notarize a new copy to make it valid in Florida
Tell her it becomes void when she moves
Refer her to an attorney because this requires a legal opinion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refer her to an attorney because this requires a legal opinion

Opining on a document's validity in another jurisdiction is legal advice reserved for attorneys.

Question 60: Who in Connecticut may lawfully draft a contract for another person for a fee?

Anyone who takes a contract-drafting course
Only a licensed attorney (Correct answer)
Any paralegal working independently
Any commissioned notary public

Correct answer: Only a licensed attorney

Drafting legal documents for others for compensation is the practice of law, restricted to licensed attorneys.

Connecticut Notary Public Exam

The Connecticut Notary Public Exam tests knowledge of CT notarial acts, identification and verification procedures, record-keeping requirements, acknowledgments, jurats, notary seal and certificate standards, electronic and remote notarization, and the unauthorized practice of law.

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60 min

Time Limit

70%

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