MA Notary Acknowledgments and Certifications 2

Question 1

Can a Massachusetts notary certify a copy of a vital record such as a birth certificate?

Accepted Answer

No, vital records issued by government agencies cannot be copy-certified by a notary

Answer

Yes, for any document

Answer

Yes, only if the original is presented

Answer

Only with the Secretary of State's permission

Question 2

What is a 'signature witnessing' notarial act?

Accepted Answer

An act where the notary observes the signer sign the document and identifies them, without requiring an oath

Answer

An act where the notary swears the signer's identity is genuine

Answer

An act identical to a jurat

Answer

An act performed only for wills

Question 3

When a Massachusetts notary affixes their seal to an acknowledgment, what does the seal confirm?

Accepted Answer

That the notarial act was performed by an authorized Massachusetts notary

Answer

That the document's contents are accurate

Answer

That the document has been recorded

Answer

That the document is tax-exempt

Question 4

What should a Massachusetts notary do if the venue (state/county) on a pre-printed certificate is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Cross out the incorrect information, enter the correct venue, and initial the change

Answer

Sign and seal it anyway

Answer

Refuse to notarize the document

Answer

Ask the signer to obtain a new document

Question 5

What is required for a 'subscribing witness' notarial act in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

A third party who witnessed the original signing appears before the notary and swears the principal signed the document

Answer

The signer must appear before the notary

Answer

Two notaries must be present

Answer

The document must be recorded at the registry

Question 6

Can a Massachusetts notary add a loose notarial certificate to a document?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a loose certificate may be stapled to the document when space is insufficient

Answer

No, certificates must always be printed on the document itself

Answer

Only for real estate documents

Answer

Only with court approval