IL Notary IL-Notary Identifying and Avoiding Prohibited Acts and Conflicts of Interest 4

Question 1

A notary is presented with a document that contains obvious blank spaces intended to be completed after notarization. The signer insists the blanks will be filled in later. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize until all material blanks are completed

Answer

Notarize immediately since it is the signer's responsibility

Answer

Notarize and attach a note describing the blank spaces

Answer

Notarize only if the document value is under $500

Question 2

Under Illinois law, a notary is prohibited from certifying copies of which type of document?

Accepted Answer

Vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificates issued by government agencies

Answer

Personal checks

Answer

Passports

Answer

Private contracts

Question 3

A signer appears visibly intoxicated when presenting a document for notarization. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize because the signer may lack the mental capacity to sign willingly and knowingly

Answer

Proceed if the signer can still produce valid ID

Answer

Notarize and note in the journal that the signer appeared intoxicated

Answer

Ask the signer to return in two hours

Question 4

A notary is asked to notarize a signature on a document that the notary believes may be fraudulent. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize and, if appropriate, report suspected fraud to law enforcement

Answer

Complete the notarization but add a disclaimer

Answer

Notarize it because determining fraud is the court's job, not the notary's

Answer

Contact the other party to the document first

Question 5

An Illinois notary notarizes her own signature on a power of attorney naming herself as agent. This act is:

Accepted Answer

Prohibited because a notary cannot notarize her own signature

Answer

Valid if the notary discloses her role as agent in the notarial certificate

Answer

Permissible for powers of attorney under $10,000

Answer

Fine as long as a second notary countersigns

Question 6

Which scenario represents a notary acting outside the authorized scope of a notarial act under Illinois law?

Accepted Answer

Drafting a power of attorney form for a client to sign

Answer

Administering an oath before a deposition

Answer

Taking an acknowledgment for a real estate deed

Answer

Certifying a photocopy of a contract the notary personally witnessed being copied

Question 7

A notary refuses to notarize a document for a customer because of the customer's national origin. Under Illinois law, this refusal is:

Accepted Answer

A prohibited discriminatory act violating Illinois human rights law

Answer

Permitted if the notary reasonably suspects the document is fraudulent

Answer

Acceptable as a matter of the notary's professional discretion

Answer

Fine if the notary documents the reason in the journal