GA Notary GA Notary - Georgia Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must a Georgia notary verify before completing an acknowledgment?
- The identity of the signer and their willingness to sign (Correct answer)
- The contents of the document are accurate
- The document has been filed with the county clerk
- The signer is a Georgia resident
Correct answer: The identity of the signer and their willingness to sign
Before completing an acknowledgment, a Georgia notary must verify the signer's identity and that the signature is voluntary.
Question 2: How does a jurat certificate differ from an acknowledgment certificate in its wording?
- A jurat includes language about swearing or affirming, while an acknowledgment does not (Correct answer)
- A jurat includes the notary's commission number, while an acknowledgment does not
- A jurat is only used for real estate documents
- A jurat requires two witnesses, while an acknowledgment requires one
Correct answer: A jurat includes language about swearing or affirming, while an acknowledgment does not
The jurat certificate includes language indicating the signer was sworn or affirmed, distinguishing it from an acknowledgment.
Question 3: In Georgia, if a signer refuses to take an oath during a jurat, what may the notary offer instead?
- An affirmation (Correct answer)
- A silent acknowledgment
- A written declaration without any ceremony
- A copy certification
Correct answer: An affirmation
A notary may offer an affirmation, which carries the same legal weight as an oath, to signers who object to swearing.
Question 4: Which type of notarial certificate is typically used on an affidavit in Georgia?
- Jurat (Correct answer)
- Acknowledgment
- Copy certification
- Apostille
Correct answer: Jurat
Affidavits require a jurat because the signer must swear or affirm to the truthfulness of the statements contained in the document.
Question 5: What should a Georgia notary do if the pre-printed certificate wording on a document does not match the notarial act being performed?
- Attach a separate, correct certificate (Correct answer)
- Cross out the incorrect wording and initial it
- Refuse to notarize the document
- Proceed anyway if the document looks official
Correct answer: Attach a separate, correct certificate
If the pre-printed certificate wording is incorrect, the notary should attach a separate certificate with the correct wording for the actual notarial act performed.
Question 6: Under Georgia law, is the notary responsible for ensuring the contents of an acknowledged document are true?
- No, the notary only certifies the signer's identity and voluntary act (Correct answer)
- Yes, the notary must verify all facts in the document
- Only for real estate deeds
- Only if the notary is also an attorney
Correct answer: No, the notary only certifies the signer's identity and voluntary act
A notary performing an acknowledgment certifies only the signer's identity and voluntary execution — not the accuracy of the document's contents.
GA Notary GA Notary - Georgia Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats Questions and Answers 2
What must a Georgia notary verify before completing an acknowledgment?