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 notary must confirm that the person signing has authority to bind the corporation, typically through a corporate resolution or officer title.

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

Personal appearance means the signer was in the notary's physical presence (or legally approved remote presence) at the time the notarial act was performed.

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

An apostille is an internationally recognized certificate authenticating a Massachusetts document for use in countries party to the Hague Convention, issued by the Secretary of State.

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

Omitting the commission expiration date creates an incomplete certificate that may be rejected by courts, registries, or foreign authorities.

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 notary performs the act under Massachusetts law, but should be aware that the destination state may have specific certificate or format requirements.

MA Notary - Massachusetts Notary Exam Practice Test

MA Notary - Massachusetts Notary Exam Practice Test

MA Notary Acknowledgments and Certifications 3