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Notary Law and Ethics Flashcards

7 cards from real NNA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Notary Law and Ethics flashcards as text

  1. Who generally owns the notary's journal and seal, even if the employer paid for them?

    Answer: The notary

    In most states the journal and seal belong to the notary, who must keep them under their exclusive control.

  2. An employer asks to see a notary's journal entry for a customer as part of an internal audit. What is the best practice?

    Answer: Show only the requested entry, if state law allows, while protecting other signers' private information

    Journal entries contain private information, so access should be limited to what state law allows and to the specific entry requested.

  3. Which situation is a notary generally allowed to notarize, even though it seems related to themselves?

    Answer: A signature of a coworker on a document in which the notary has no interest

    Notarizing for a coworker is generally allowed if the notary has no financial or beneficial interest and stays impartial.

  4. A signer cannot write their name because of a disability. In many states, how can they still sign a document for notarization?

    Answer: They may sign by mark (such as an X) in the presence of witnesses, as state law requires

    Many states allow a signature by mark with witnesses, and some allow the notary to sign at the signer's direction under set procedures.

  5. What does the term "official misconduct" mean for a notary?

    Answer: The wrongful performance of, or failure to perform, a duty required by law, whether done knowingly or through negligence

    Official misconduct includes both deliberate wrongdoing and negligent failure to carry out a notary's legal duties.

  6. A notary is asked to notarize a photograph of a person. Why is this generally not proper?

    Answer: A notarization certifies a signer's signature on a document, not the content of an image

    Notaries notarize signatures, so an image by itself cannot be notarized, although a signed statement describing it can be.

  7. A notary realizes after the fact that a notarization they performed may have helped a fraud. What is the most appropriate step?

    Answer: Keep the journal records intact and cooperate with law enforcement or the commissioning authority as required

    Records must never be changed or destroyed, and the notary should cooperate with lawful investigations.