GA Notary Ethical Considerations and Responsibilities 4

Question 1

Why is maintaining an accurate notarial journal considered an ethical duty in Georgia?

Accepted Answer

It creates an accountability record that protects the public and the notary from fraud claims

Answer

It allows the notary to set higher fees based on documented experience

Answer

It is required only for remote online notarizations

Answer

It enables the notary to verify past fees collected

Question 2

A Georgia notary's official seal is lost or stolen. What is the immediate ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the loss to the appropriate authorities and stop notarizing until a new seal is obtained

Answer

Continue notarizing using a handwritten substitute seal until a replacement arrives

Answer

Notarize only for known clients until the replacement seal arrives

Answer

Purchase a replacement seal without taking additional action

Question 3

How long must a Georgia notary retain journal records after their commission expires?

Accepted Answer

Three years from the date of each notarial act

Answer

One year

Answer

Five years from the date of commission expiration

Answer

Indefinitely

Question 4

A notary is asked by their employer to share the notarial journal so the employer can review all client transactions. What is the ethical concern?

Accepted Answer

The journal contains confidential signer information that the notary must protect from unauthorized disclosure

Answer

No concern; employers have a right to review employee records

Answer

No concern if the employer signs a confidentiality agreement

Answer

No concern if only document types, not signer names, are shared

Question 5

What must a Georgia notary do with their journal and seal when their commission is revoked?

Accepted Answer

Immediately surrender the seal and transfer journal records as directed by Georgia law

Answer

Retain them in case the revocation is appealed

Answer

Destroy the seal to prevent misuse

Answer

Hold all materials until a court order directs otherwise

Question 6

A notary realizes they made a clerical error in a journal entry after the fact. What is the proper ethical correction method?

Accepted Answer

Strike through the error with a single line, make the correction, and initial and date the change

Answer

Use correction fluid (whiteout) to cover the error and write the correction over it

Answer

Tear out the page and rewrite the entry on a new page

Answer

Leave it unchanged to avoid altering official records

Question 7

Which action reflects a notary's ethical responsibility regarding their notarial stamp?

Accepted Answer

Keeping the stamp under the notary's exclusive control at all times

Answer

Lending the stamp to a trusted colleague when unavailable

Answer

Storing the stamp in a shared office supply area for convenience

Answer

Allowing an employer to hold the stamp for safekeeping