NM Notary Legal Requirements and Regulations 4

Question 1

A customer asks a non-attorney New Mexico notary which type of deed to use. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to advise and suggest the customer consult an attorney

Answer

Recommend a quitclaim deed

Answer

Choose the deed and complete it for the customer

Answer

Charge an extra fee for legal advice

Question 2

Which situation requires a New Mexico notary to refuse to perform a notarial act?

Accepted Answer

The notary believes the signer does not understand the document or is being coerced

Answer

The signer is a stranger with valid identification

Answer

The document is written in formal legal language

Answer

The signer is left-handed

Question 3

May a New Mexico notary notarize a document in which the notary is named as a beneficiary?

Accepted Answer

No, because the notary has a disqualifying interest in the transaction

Answer

Yes, if the notary signs a waiver

Answer

Yes, if the fee is donated to charity

Answer

Yes, if a supervisor approves

Question 4

What must appear in the certificate of a notarial act in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

The venue, date, notary's signature, and information identifying the notary's commission

Answer

Only the notary's initials

Answer

The signer's social security number

Answer

The notary's home address

Question 5

A document is presented with a blank space where key terms should be. What should the New Mexico notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize until the document is complete or blanks are addressed by the signer

Answer

Notarize it and let the signer fill in blanks later

Answer

Fill in the blanks personally

Answer

Cross out the blank sections with a marker

Question 6

Which act may a New Mexico notary public lawfully perform?

Accepted Answer

Administering an oath or affirmation

Answer

Certifying a copy of a birth certificate held by vital records

Answer

Issuing a marriage license

Answer

Practicing law without a license

Question 7

What is the consequence if a New Mexico notary performs official misconduct, such as issuing a false certificate?

Accepted Answer

The Secretary of State may deny, suspend, or revoke the commission, and civil or criminal liability may apply

Answer

Nothing, as notaries are immune from discipline

Answer

Only the employer may impose discipline

Answer

The notary receives an automatic warning with no other consequence