IL Notary IL-Notary Identifying and Avoiding Prohibited Acts and Conflicts of Interest 3

Question 1

An Illinois notary who is fluent in Spanish advertises herself as a 'Notario Público' to serve the Latino community. Why is this problematic?

Accepted Answer

In Latin American countries, a 'Notario Público' is an attorney, so the title can mislead immigrants into believing she provides legal services

Answer

It is only problematic if she charges more than the maximum fee

Answer

It is perfectly fine because 'Notario Público' is merely the Spanish translation of 'Notary Public'

Answer

It is allowed only if she includes a disclaimer on her business cards

Question 2

Which of the following is a prohibited act for an Illinois notary under the Notary Public Act?

Accepted Answer

Backdating a notarial certificate to the date the document was originally signed

Answer

Certifying a photocopy of a non-vital-record document

Answer

Notarizing a document in a language the notary does not read

Answer

Refusing to notarize a document with visible alterations

Question 3

A customer insists that a notary notarize her signature even though she refuses to present any identification and is not personally known to the notary. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarial act because satisfactory evidence of identity is required

Answer

Notarize the signature if the customer signs in the presence of two witnesses

Answer

Proceed and note in the journal that identity could not be verified

Answer

Notarize it only if the amount of money involved is under $1,000

Question 4

A notary is asked to notarize a document that is entirely in a foreign language he does not understand. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Notarize it because the notary's role is only to verify the signer's identity and signature, not to read the document

Answer

Decline because Illinois law requires notaries to understand every document they notarize

Answer

Proceed only if the signer provides a certified translation

Answer

Refuse unless a bilingual co-notary countersigns the certificate

Question 5

Which behavior constitutes a conflict of interest that disqualifies an Illinois notary from performing a notarial act?

Accepted Answer

The notary is named as the sole heir in a will she is asked to notarize the testator's signature on

Answer

The notary works for the bank that holds the mortgage on the property described in the document

Answer

The notary personally dislikes the signer

Answer

The notary charged the maximum statutory fee for the act

Question 6

An Illinois notary notarizes a document and then discovers the signer used a false name. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Report the incident to the Illinois Secretary of State and document it in the notary journal

Answer

Issue a corrected certificate with the signer's real name

Answer

Do nothing because the notary fulfilled her duty by verifying the ID presented

Answer

Revoke the notarization immediately by crossing out the notarial certificate

Question 7

Which of the following advertisements by an Illinois notary is prohibited?

Accepted Answer

'Immigration documents notarized here — I can help you get your green card'

Answer

'Licensed and Bonded Notary Public'

Answer

'Mobile notary available 24/7'

Answer

'Notary services — $5 per signature'