GA Notary Proper Notarial Acts 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information is required on a Georgia notary's official seal?
- The notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' 'State of Georgia,' the notary's county, and commission expiration date. (Correct answer)
- The notary's name, address, phone number, and the words 'Notary Public.'
- Only the notary's name and the words 'State of Georgia' are required.
- The notary's name, commission number, and a state seal emblem.
Correct answer: The notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' 'State of Georgia,' the notary's county, and commission expiration date.
Georgia law requires the notary's official seal to include their name, 'Notary Public,' 'State of Georgia,' the county of appointment, and the commission expiration date.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the 'venue' statement at the top of a notarial certificate?
- It identifies the location (state and county) where the notarial act was performed. (Correct answer)
- It states the legal deadline for recording the document.
- It lists the names of all witnesses present at the notarization.
- It describes the type of notarial act being performed.
Correct answer: It identifies the location (state and county) where the notarial act was performed.
The venue, typically written as 'State of Georgia, County of ___,' identifies the jurisdiction in which the notarial act took place.
Question 3: A notary discovers that the certificate language on a document requests an acknowledgment, but the signer actually needs a jurat. What should the notary do?
- Complete the acknowledgment certificate since it is already printed on the document.
- Refuse to notarize the document entirely.
- Cross out the incorrect certificate language and attach the correct certificate, or attach a loose certificate with the correct wording. (Correct answer)
- Notarize the document with both certificate types to cover both situations.
Correct answer: Cross out the incorrect certificate language and attach the correct certificate, or attach a loose certificate with the correct wording.
When the pre-printed certificate does not match the required notarial act, the notary should either modify the document or attach a separate loose certificate with the correct wording.
Question 4: When may a Georgia notary attach a 'loose certificate' to a document?
- Only when the document is longer than 10 pages.
- When the document has no certificate, has the wrong certificate, or does not have space for one. (Correct answer)
- Only when the document will be filed in a county other than where the notary was commissioned.
- Only with written authorization from the Secretary of State's office.
Correct answer: When the document has no certificate, has the wrong certificate, or does not have space for one.
A loose (or 'jurat attachment') certificate may be attached when a document lacks a certificate, has insufficient space, or has the wrong certificate type.
Question 5: After completing a notarial act in Georgia, how should the notary sign the certificate?
- With a printed name only — a signature is not required.
- With their official signature exactly as it appears on their commission, followed by their title and commission expiration date. (Correct answer)
- With only their notary seal impression — a handwritten signature is optional.
- With an electronic stamp if available, or the handwritten signature if not.
Correct answer: With their official signature exactly as it appears on their commission, followed by their title and commission expiration date.
The notary must sign their official signature (matching their commission) and include their title and commission expiration date on the certificate.
Question 6: A notary's ink stamp is accidentally smudged and illegible on a completed certificate. What is the best course of action?
- The document is still valid because the notary's signature is present.
- The notary should re-stamp in an available area of the certificate so a clear impression can be read. (Correct answer)
- The notary should ask the signer to come back another day to redo the document.
- The notary should notate 'seal smudged' and initial it without re-stamping.
Correct answer: The notary should re-stamp in an available area of the certificate so a clear impression can be read.
If the seal impression is illegible, the notary should re-apply the seal in a clear area of the certificate so that all required seal information is readable.
Question 7: Which statement about notarial certificate language in Georgia is correct?
- The notary may write their own custom certificate language for any document.
- Certificate language is strictly standardized and only the Secretary of State's pre-approved forms may be used.
- Georgia law provides acceptable certificate language, but notaries may also use client-provided certificate language as long as it is lawful and matches the act performed. (Correct answer)
- Certificate language is entirely optional if the notary's seal and signature are present.
Correct answer: Georgia law provides acceptable certificate language, but notaries may also use client-provided certificate language as long as it is lawful and matches the act performed.
Georgia provides statutory certificate forms, but notaries may use alternative language supplied by the signer or the document, provided it is lawful and accurately reflects the notarial act performed.
GA Notary Proper Notarial Acts 3
What information is required on a Georgia notary's official seal?