Notary Public Exam Notary Certificates & Wording

Question 1

What is a notarial certificate?

Accepted Answer

The written statement a notary completes to describe the notarial act performed

Answer

The notary's government-issued commission document

Answer

A list of all documents notarized in a single day

Answer

The identification provided by the signer

Question 2

Who is responsible for selecting the correct notarial certificate wording?

Accepted Answer

The signer or the drafting attorney, not the notary

Answer

The notary alone in all circumstances

Answer

The county recorder's office

Answer

The witnessing party

Question 3

What does the 'venue' on a notarial certificate indicate?

Accepted Answer

The state and county where the notarial act was performed

Answer

The address of the signer's residence

Answer

The date the document was signed

Answer

The notary's commission number

Question 4

What should a notary do if the pre-printed certificate wording on a document is for the wrong notarial act?

Accepted Answer

Ask the signer or attorney to clarify, then attach the correct certificate or complete the correct wording

Answer

Cross out the wording and write in the correct act without consulting anyone

Answer

Notarize the document using the incorrect pre-printed wording anyway

Answer

Refuse all notarizations involving pre-printed certificates

Question 5

What information is commonly required in a notarial certificate?

Accepted Answer

Venue, date of notarization, notary's signature, and commission expiration date

Answer

Only the notary's printed name and seal

Answer

Signer's Social Security number and date of birth

Answer

The full legal description of the property involved

Question 6

Can a US notary typically certify a copy of a birth certificate?

Accepted Answer

No, vital records are issued by government agencies and most states prohibit notaries from certifying copies

Answer

Yes, any notary can certify any document copy upon request

Answer

Yes, but only if the original is presented alongside the copy

Answer

Only notaries who are also attorneys may certify vital record copies