FREE Duties & Responsibilities of a Notary Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is a core duty of a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the identity of document signers

Answer

Providing legal advice about the document being signed

Answer

Ensuring the document is legally enforceable

Answer

Filing the notarized document with the court

Question 2

A notary discovers that a signer appears to be under duress. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to complete the notarization

Answer

Proceed with the notarization since it is not the notary's concern

Answer

Ask the signer to sign faster to avoid further pressure

Answer

Contact the person applying the pressure and ask them to leave

Question 3

How should a notary handle a request to notarize a document with blank spaces?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize until all blanks are completed or crossed out

Answer

Fill in the blanks themselves to complete the document

Answer

Ignore the blanks if the signer says they will fill them in later

Answer

Proceed as long as the signer initials next to each blank

Question 4

What is a notary's responsibility regarding keeping a notary journal?

Accepted Answer

Many states require notaries to maintain a chronological journal of all notarial acts

Answer

Journals are optional and only recommended in some states

Answer

Journals are only required for real estate transactions

Answer

Only electronic notaries are required to keep journals

Question 5

A notary is asked to notarize a document for a close family member. What is the best practice?

Accepted Answer

Decline, as notarizing for family members can create a conflict of interest

Answer

Proceed since the notary knows the family member's identity well

Answer

Notarize only if the family member provides two forms of ID

Answer

Notarize only real estate documents, not financial ones

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteeing the legal validity of the document's content

Answer

Confirming the signer is present in person

Answer

Verifying the signer's willingness to sign

Answer

Applying their official seal to completed notarial acts