NM Notary Legal Requirements and Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under which law are New Mexico notaries public currently governed?
- The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) (Correct answer)
- The Uniform Commercial Code
- The Model Notary Act of 1984
- The Federal Notary Standards Act
Correct answer: The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA)
New Mexico adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, which governs all notarial acts in the state.
Question 2: Which state official issues notary public commissions in New Mexico?
- The Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The Attorney General
- The Governor
- The county clerk
Correct answer: The Secretary of State
The New Mexico Secretary of State receives applications and issues notary commissions.
Question 3: How long is a standard notary public commission term in New Mexico?
- Four years (Correct answer)
- Two years
- Six years
- For life, unless revoked
Correct answer: Four years
A New Mexico notary commission is valid for a term of four years.
Question 4: A New Mexico notary applicant must be at least what age?
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- 25 years old
- 16 years old
Correct answer: 18 years old
State law requires notary applicants to be at least 18 years of age.
Question 5: Which of the following makes a person eligible for a New Mexico notary commission even if they do not live in the state?
- Having a place of employment or practice in New Mexico (Correct answer)
- Owning any real estate in the United States
- Holding a notary commission in another state
- Having previously lived in New Mexico
Correct answer: Having a place of employment or practice in New Mexico
Non-residents may qualify if they are regularly employed or maintain a practice in New Mexico.
Question 6: Which requirement applies to a notarial act performed for a signer in New Mexico?
- The signer must personally appear before the notary at the time of notarization (Correct answer)
- The signer may send the document by mail with a photocopy of their ID
- A phone call from the signer is sufficient
- A family member may appear on the signer's behalf
Correct answer: The signer must personally appear before the notary at the time of notarization
Personal appearance, either physically or through an authorized remote-notarization technology, is required at the time of the notarial act.
Question 7: What must a New Mexico notary do if asked to notarize their own signature?
- Refuse, because a notary may not notarize their own signature (Correct answer)
- Proceed if a witness is present
- Proceed if the document is not financial
- Charge double the standard fee
Correct answer: Refuse, because a notary may not notarize their own signature
A notary is prohibited from performing a notarial act on their own signature or on a record in which they have a disqualifying interest.
NM Notary Legal Requirements and Regulations 2
Under which law are New Mexico notaries public currently governed?