MT Notary Document Handling and Verification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer presents a document with several blank spaces that are clearly meant to be filled in. What should a Montana notary do?
- Refuse to notarize until the blanks are completed or lined through (Correct answer)
- Notarize and let the signer fill in the blanks later
- Fill in the blanks personally with information the signer dictates
- Notarize but note the blanks in the certificate
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize until the blanks are completed or lined through
Montana notaries may not notarize documents containing blank spaces intended to be completed, so the signer must fill or strike them first.
Question 2: Which form of identification is acceptable for a Montana notary to verify a signer's identity?
- A current passport issued by the U.S. government (Correct answer)
- An expired driver's license from any state
- A Social Security card
- A birth certificate
Correct answer: A current passport issued by the U.S. government
Montana law accepts current, unexpired government-issued identification bearing a photograph and signature, such as a passport.
Question 3: A signer has no acceptable ID. How can a Montana notary still verify the signer's identity?
- Through the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the notary (Correct answer)
- By accepting a utility bill with the signer's name
- By having the signer sign an affidavit of identity
- By comparing the signature to one on the document
Correct answer: Through the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the notary
A credible witness who personally knows both the notary (or presents ID) and the signer may verify identity under oath.
Question 4: When notarizing a multi-page document, what is the best practice for a Montana notary?
- Confirm the certificate identifies the document and pages are complete before notarizing (Correct answer)
- Stamp every individual page of the document
- Notarize only the first page
- Ask the signer to initial the notary certificate
Correct answer: Confirm the certificate identifies the document and pages are complete before notarizing
The notary should verify the document is complete and the certificate is attached to or identifies the correct document.
Question 5: A document presented for notarization is written in a language the Montana notary cannot read. What is the proper action?
- The notary may proceed if the notarial certificate itself is in a language the notary understands (Correct answer)
- Refuse because all documents must be in English
- Have a translator sign the document instead
- Notarize only after the signer translates it aloud
Correct answer: The notary may proceed if the notarial certificate itself is in a language the notary understands
A notary may notarize a foreign-language document as long as the notary can read and complete the certificate and communicate with the signer.
Question 6: During an acknowledgment, the signer's name on the ID reads 'Katherine J. Smith' but the document says 'Kathy Smith.' What should the notary do?
- Decline unless satisfied through reasonable evidence that both names refer to the same person (Correct answer)
- Notarize since the last names match
- Change the document name to match the ID
- Have the signer sign both names and proceed automatically
Correct answer: Decline unless satisfied through reasonable evidence that both names refer to the same person
The notary must be satisfied that the person before them is the person named in the document, resolving any name discrepancy first.
Question 7: What should a Montana notary do if asked to notarize a photocopy of a recordable document such as a deed when the original is available?
- Perform a copy certification only if permitted and the document is not a vital or public record (Correct answer)
- Certify the copy regardless of document type
- Notarize the copy as if it were the original
- Sign the photocopy without a certificate
Correct answer: Perform a copy certification only if permitted and the document is not a vital or public record
Montana notaries may certify copies only of documents that are not vital records or publicly recordable records held by an official custodian.
MT Notary Document Handling and Verification 2
A signer presents a document with several blank spaces that are clearly meant to be filled in.
What should a Montana notary do?