Notary Public Best Practices & Methodologies 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer presents a military ID as identification. What should the notary consider?
- Military IDs are never acceptable for notarization
- Check state law — many states accept current military IDs as satisfactory identification (Correct answer)
- Accept it only if accompanied by a second ID
- Military IDs are only valid on military bases
Correct answer: Check state law — many states accept current military IDs as satisfactory identification
Many states list current U.S. military IDs among acceptable forms of identification for notarization purposes.
Question 2: What is the best practice when a document has blank spaces that could be filled in after notarization?
- Notarize the document and trust the signer to complete it honestly
- Draw lines through blanks or note their presence in the journal before notarizing (Correct answer)
- Refuse to notarize any document with blanks
- Ask the signer to initial all blank spaces
Correct answer: Draw lines through blanks or note their presence in the journal before notarizing
Blanks left in a document after notarization could be filled with unauthorized content; best practice is to address them before completing the act.
Question 3: A notary is asked to perform a notarization via two-way video for a signer in another state. What must be verified first?
- Whether the signer has a webcam
- Whether both states authorize remote online notarization (RON) and that the notary is commissioned accordingly (Correct answer)
- Whether the document can be emailed
- Whether the fee can be paid electronically
Correct answer: Whether both states authorize remote online notarization (RON) and that the notary is commissioned accordingly
RON authority is state-specific; the notary must confirm both their own state's authorization and any applicable rules of the signer's state.
Question 4: How should a notary handle a situation where the same person appears at multiple signings with slightly different signatures?
- Accept signature variations as normal human behavior
- Verify identity carefully each time; note any significant discrepancies in the journal (Correct answer)
- Refuse to notarize if signatures do not match exactly
- Require the signer to re-sign until signatures match
Correct answer: Verify identity carefully each time; note any significant discrepancies in the journal
While some variation is normal, significant discrepancies warrant careful identity re-verification and journal documentation to protect the notary.
Question 5: When is it appropriate for a notary to charge a travel fee in addition to the standard notarization fee?
- Never — only state-set fees may be charged
- When state law permits and the fee is disclosed to the signer before the appointment (Correct answer)
- Anytime the notary travels more than one mile
- Only for mobile notary businesses with a state license
Correct answer: When state law permits and the fee is disclosed to the signer before the appointment
Travel fees are permissible in many states as a separate charge distinct from the notarization fee, provided they are disclosed upfront.
Question 6: A notary signs documents for a living trust for a family member. What is a best practice concern here?
- Family members are always prohibited signers
- The notary should consider whether a disqualifying financial interest exists under state law (Correct answer)
- The notary must have a separate commission for estate documents
- Family signings require a second notary to co-sign
Correct answer: The notary should consider whether a disqualifying financial interest exists under state law
Many states disqualify a notary who has a financial interest in a transaction, which could apply when notarizing documents that benefit a family member.
Question 7: What does 'venue' refer to in a notarial certificate?
- The physical location where the signing ceremony is held
- The state and county where the notarial act was performed, stated at the top of the certificate (Correct answer)
- The type of document being notarized
- The jurisdiction that issued the notary's commission
Correct answer: The state and county where the notarial act was performed, stated at the top of the certificate
The venue clause identifies the state and county of notarization, establishing jurisdictional context for the notarial act.
Notary Public Best Practices & Methodologies 4
A signer presents a military ID as identification.
What should the notary consider?