Notary Public Communication & Stakeholder Relations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A real estate agent insists the notary fill in blank spaces on a deed before notarizing. The notary should:
- Complete the blanks as instructed since it is a clerical task
- Decline to complete blanks in a legal document as this may constitute unauthorized practice of law (Correct answer)
- Leave blanks and notarize anyway
- Correct the blanks and charge an extra fee
Correct answer: Decline to complete blanks in a legal document as this may constitute unauthorized practice of law
Completing substantive blanks in legal documents is outside a notary's role and may constitute unauthorized practice of law.
Question 2: After a notarization, a signer calls to say they made an error in the document. What should the notary advise?
- Return the certificate and re-notarize for free
- Tell the signer to cross out the error and initial it
- Advise the signer to consult with the document preparer or an attorney about correction options (Correct answer)
- Issue a corrected notarial certificate retroactively
Correct answer: Advise the signer to consult with the document preparer or an attorney about correction options
Document content errors are the responsibility of the parties and their legal counsel, not the notary.
Question 3: A corporate officer wants a notary to notarize a document but presents only a company badge as ID. The notary should:
- Accept it since company officials are inherently trustworthy
- Explain that a government-issued photo ID is typically required and ask for acceptable identification (Correct answer)
- Call the company to verify employment before accepting
- Notarize based on personal knowledge only if the officer is a stranger
Correct answer: Explain that a government-issued photo ID is typically required and ask for acceptable identification
Most states require government-issued ID meeting specific criteria, which a company badge does not satisfy.
Question 4: A notary is asked to notarize a document for a signer who is a close personal friend. The notary should:
- Refuse automatically since friends cannot be notarized
- Proceed only if the notary has no financial or beneficial interest in the document (Correct answer)
- Charge a higher fee for personal connections
- Ask a coworker to notarize instead in all cases
Correct answer: Proceed only if the notary has no financial or beneficial interest in the document
Friendship alone does not disqualify a signer, but a financial or beneficial interest in the document creates a conflict that requires recusal.
Question 5: A signing agent is asked by a borrower to explain the difference between fixed and adjustable loan rates. The notary should:
- Explain thoroughly since financial literacy helps the signer
- Decline and refer the borrower to their lender for loan-specific questions (Correct answer)
- Provide a brief definition to keep the signing moving
- Calculate the rate difference on the spot
Correct answer: Decline and refer the borrower to their lender for loan-specific questions
Explaining loan terms constitutes legal or financial advice that is outside the notary's role as a signing agent.
Question 6: A notary discovers mid-signing that a document already contains a completed notarial certificate from another notary. The correct approach is to:
- Cross out the old certificate and add a new one
- Stop the signing and clarify with the document preparer which certificate applies (Correct answer)
- Notarize over the existing certificate
- Sign beside the existing certificate to co-notarize
Correct answer: Stop the signing and clarify with the document preparer which certificate applies
A document should not have two conflicting notarial certificates, and the situation must be resolved before proceeding.
Question 7: When a signer is deaf, which approach best supports effective communication during notarization?
- Write all questions on paper and have the signer write responses
- Use a qualified sign language interpreter or approved communication accommodation per state law (Correct answer)
- Perform the notarization entirely through nods and gestures
- Decline to notarize since verbal oath requirements cannot be met
Correct answer: Use a qualified sign language interpreter or approved communication accommodation per state law
Using a qualified interpreter or approved accommodation ensures the signer can fully participate and the act is valid.
Notary Public Communication & Stakeholder Relations 4
A real estate agent insists the notary fill in blank spaces on a deed before notarizing.
The notary should: