Free NH Notary Ethical Standards Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should a New Hampshire notary public do if they are asked to notarize a document without the signer being present?
- Notarize the document if they know the signer personally
- Refuse to notarize the document (Correct answer)
- Have the signer fax a copy of their ID
- Notarize the document and note the absence of the signer
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document
Ethical standards require that the signer be physically present before the notary at the time of notarization.
Question 2: Is it ethical for a New Hampshire notary public to notarize a document in which they have a direct financial or beneficial interest?
- Yes, as long as they disclose the interest
- Yes, if the interest is minor
- No, under any circumstances (Correct answer)
- Yes, with permission from the Secretary of State
Correct answer: No, under any circumstances
A notary public must avoid notarizing documents where they have a direct financial or beneficial interest.
Question 3: What is the ethical obligation of a New Hampshire notary public if they are asked to notarize a document with blank spaces?
- Notarize the document as requested
- Fill in the blanks themselves
- Refuse to notarize until all blanks are filled (Correct answer)
- Notarize and advise the signer to fill in the blanks later
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize until all blanks are filled
Notarizing a document with blank spaces is unethical because it can lead to fraud or alteration after notarization.
Question 4: If a New Hampshire notary public is uncertain about the legality of a notarization, what should they do?
- Proceed with the notarization to avoid inconveniencing the client
- Contact the Secretary of State for guidance (Correct answer)
- Seek advice from a lawyer
- Make a judgment call based on their experience
Correct answer: Contact the Secretary of State for guidance
The notary should seek clarification from the appropriate authority if there is any doubt.
Question 5: A friend asks a New Hampshire notary public to notarize a document without charging a fee. Is this ethical?
- Yes, notaries can waive the fee at their discretion (Correct answer)
- No, all notarizations must include a fee
- Yes, but only if the document is not legally binding
- No, waiving fees is against notary regulations
Correct answer: Yes, notaries can waive the fee at their discretion
While notaries are permitted to charge fees, they can choose to waive them, provided it does not compromise their impartiality.
Free NH Notary Ethical Standards Questions and Answers
What should a New Hampshire notary public do if they are asked to notarize a document without the signer being present?