Notary Public Exam Duties & Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A notary is presented with a document that contains blank spaces. What should they do?
- Complete the blanks based on what seems appropriate for the document
- Refuse to notarize until all blanks are properly filled in or crossed out (Correct answer)
- Notarize and note the blanks in the journal
- Notarize since blank spaces are the signer's responsibility
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize until all blanks are properly filled in or crossed out
Notarizing a document with blank spaces is dangerous because they could be filled in fraudulently after notarization.
Question 2: Under what circumstance may a notary complete a notarial certificate after the signer has left?
- When the notary trusts the signer and will see them again soon
- Never — the certificate must be completed while the signer is present (Correct answer)
- When the document was signed in the notary's presence even if the certificate is done later
- Only if the signer provides written permission to do so
Correct answer: Never — the certificate must be completed while the signer is present
Certificates must be completed at the time of the notarial act while the signer is present to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud.
Question 3: A notary suspects a signer is being coerced into signing a document. What is the appropriate response?
- Proceed since it is not the notary's place to question the signer's motives
- Refuse to notarize and, if necessary, offer to speak with the signer privately (Correct answer)
- Ask the person accompanying the signer if there is a problem
- Notarize but note the concern in the journal only
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize and, if necessary, offer to speak with the signer privately
A notary must ensure the signer is acting voluntarily; if coercion is suspected, the notary should decline and may speak with the signer privately to assess the situation.
Question 4: Which statement about notary fees is most accurate?
- Notaries may charge any amount they feel their services are worth
- Most states set maximum fees by statute, and charging above the maximum is a violation (Correct answer)
- Notary fees are federally regulated and uniform across all states
- Fees can only be charged for acknowledgments, not jurats
Correct answer: Most states set maximum fees by statute, and charging above the maximum is a violation
Nearly all states establish maximum per-signature or per-act fees by statute to protect the public from excessive charges.
Question 5: What is the notary's responsibility when the signer cannot speak or understand English?
- Decline all non-English speakers to avoid liability
- Use a qualified interpreter or verify the signer can communicate directly in a language shared with the notary (Correct answer)
- Provide written questions in English for the signer to answer
- Proceed as normal since the signature is the only legal requirement
Correct answer: Use a qualified interpreter or verify the signer can communicate directly in a language shared with the notary
The notary must be able to communicate with the signer to confirm identity and willingness, which may require a qualified interpreter.
Question 6: A notary performs a notarization and later realizes the wrong certificate type was used. What is the correct course of action?
- Cross out the old certificate and write the correction over it
- Contact the signer to appear again and execute the correct certificate (Correct answer)
- Call the receiving party and verbally explain the error
- Leave it as is since the signature was still witnessed
Correct answer: Contact the signer to appear again and execute the correct certificate
Using the wrong certificate type invalidates the notarization; the signer must reappear so the correct certificate can be properly executed.
Question 7: A notary is asked to certify a photocopy of a vital record such as a birth certificate. What should they do?
- Certify the copy since it is clearly a government document
- Decline if state law prohibits notaries from certifying copies of vital records (Correct answer)
- Certify only if the original is also presented for comparison
- Certify any copy as long as it appears authentic
Correct answer: Decline if state law prohibits notaries from certifying copies of vital records
Many states prohibit notaries from certifying copies of vital records because these documents are restricted to the issuing government agency.
Notary Public Exam Duties & Responsibilities 4
A notary is presented with a document that contains blank spaces.
What should they do?