GA Notary Ethical Considerations and Responsibilities 2

Question 1

A Georgia notary is asked to notarize a deed that will financially benefit a family member. What is the ethical requirement?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize because the notary has a direct or indirect financial interest

Answer

Georgia notaries must refuse to notarize documents in which they have a direct or indirect financial interest, including those benefiting close family members.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the notary's duty of impartiality?

Accepted Answer

The notary must treat all signers equally without favoring any party to the transaction

Answer

Impartiality requires that a notary treat all parties equally and not take sides or show favoritism in any notarial act.

Question 3

A notary is offered a $100 tip above the statutory fee for a same-day notarization. What is the ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Decline it to avoid any appearance of impropriety or undue inducement

Answer

Accepting payments beyond the statutory fee can create an appearance of impropriety and compromise the notary's impartiality.

Question 4

What should a notary do if they personally know the signer and believe the signer is being coerced into signing?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarization and advise the signer they may seek help

Answer

A notary must refuse to notarize when a signer appears to be acting under duress, as willingness is a prerequisite for a lawful notarial act.

Question 5

A notary public in Georgia is an attorney who drafted the document being signed. Is it ethical to also notarize it?

Accepted Answer

No, because the attorney-notary has a direct interest in the transaction

Answer

Even attorney-notaries must avoid notarizing documents in which they have a financial or personal interest, including documents they drafted for a fee.

(GA Notary) Georgia Notary Exam Practice Test

(GA Notary) Georgia Notary Exam Practice Test

GA Notary Ethical Considerations and Responsibilities 2