MA Notary Acknowledgments and Certifications 3

Question 1

What must a Massachusetts notary confirm before completing an acknowledgment for a corporate officer?

Accepted Answer

That the officer has authority to act on behalf of the corporation

Answer

The corporation's tax status

Answer

The number of corporate shareholders

Answer

The corporation's annual revenue

Question 2

In Massachusetts, what does the phrase 'personally appeared before me' in a notarial certificate mean?

Accepted Answer

The signer was physically present with the notary at the time of the notarial act (or appeared via approved remote means)

Answer

The notary has known the signer for years

Answer

The signer mailed the document to the notary

Answer

The signer's attorney appeared instead

Question 3

What is an 'apostille' and who issues it in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

A document authentication for international use — issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State

Answer

A type of notarial seal — issued by the notary

Answer

A court certification — issued by the Superior Court

Answer

A federal document — issued by the State Department

Question 4

What happens if a Massachusetts notary's commission expiration date is left blank on a notarial certificate?

Accepted Answer

The certificate may be considered defective and could be rejected by receiving parties

Answer

The certificate is still valid

Answer

The notary is automatically fined

Answer

The Secretary of State must be notified

Question 5

When notarizing a document in Massachusetts for use in another state, whose notarial requirements should govern?

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts law governs the notarial act, but the document may need to meet the receiving state's format requirements

Answer

The requirements of the receiving state only

Answer

Federal notarization standards apply

Answer

The signer chooses which state's requirements apply

Question 6

Can a Massachusetts notary correct a clerical error on a notarial certificate after the signer has left?

Accepted Answer

Yes, minor clerical errors may be corrected by the notary with an initialed correction

Answer

No, any error requires the signer to return and the act to be repeated

Answer

Only an attorney can make such corrections

Answer

The document must be submitted to the Secretary of State for correction