Types of Notarial Acts Flashcards
7 cards from real FL NOTARY practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Types of Notarial Acts flashcards as text
Which notarial act requires the signer to be physically present before the notary but does NOT require the signer to swear to the truth of the document's contents?
Answer: Acknowledgment
In an acknowledgment, the signer only acknowledges that the signature is theirs and made of their own free will — no oath about the document's contents is required.
Which of the following documents would MOST LIKELY require a jurat rather than an acknowledgment?
Answer: A financial affidavit in a divorce proceeding
A financial affidavit requires the signer to swear under oath that the financial information is true, making a jurat the appropriate notarial act.
What does the phrase 'personally appeared before me' in a notarial certificate signify?
Answer: The signer was physically present in front of the notary
The phrase confirms that the signer was physically (in-person) present before the notary at the time of the notarial act, establishing direct personal appearance.
A notary is asked to certify a copy of a publicly recorded court judgment. Can the Florida notary certify this copy?
Answer: No, because only certified court clerks can certify copies of public records
Florida notaries cannot certify copies of publicly recorded documents; certified copies of public records must be obtained from the official custodian of those records.
Which of the following best describes the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
Answer: An oath invokes a higher power; an affirmation is a solemn pledge without one
An oath invokes a religious or divine authority to bind the promise, while an affirmation is a solemn secular pledge carrying the same legal weight without religious reference.
When a Florida notary performs a copy certification, the notary must:
Answer: Compare the copy to the original document and certify it is a true reproduction
For an attested copy, the notary personally compares the copy to the original document to confirm it is an accurate reproduction before certifying it.
Which of the following notarial acts is unique to Florida among many U.S. states and is specifically authorized under Florida Statute 117.045?
Answer: Solemnizing marriages
Florida Statute 117.045 specifically authorizes Florida notaries to solemnize marriages, a power not granted to notaries in all U.S. states.