Notary Public Professional Standards & Ethics 5

Question 1

Which scenario represents an appropriate use of a notary's discretion to refuse service?

Accepted Answer

Refusing to notarize when the signer appears to be under duress

Answer

A notary may ethically refuse when there are clear signs of coercion, duress, or fraud threatening the integrity of the act.

Question 2

A mobile notary charges a travel fee in addition to the notarial fee. This practice is:

Accepted Answer

Permissible in most states as long as fees are disclosed upfront

Answer

Most states allow notaries to charge a separate travel fee, provided it is disclosed to the client before the appointment.

Question 3

A notary is approached to notarize a document that appears to be fraudulent. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse the notarization and, if appropriate, report it to law enforcement

Answer

Notarizing a document the notary believes to be fraudulent makes them complicit in the fraud; refusal and reporting are appropriate.

Question 4

A notary is commissioned in State A and asked to notarize a document for someone located in State B via remote online notarization (RON). Which law governs the notarization?

Accepted Answer

The law of State A, where the notary is commissioned

Answer

For remote online notarizations, the notary's commissioning state law generally governs the notarial act.

Question 5

What is the ethical significance of a notary maintaining a detailed notarial journal?

Accepted Answer

It provides a record that can verify or defend the notary's actions if questioned

Answer

A journal creates an official record of notarial acts that can protect both the notary and the public if a notarization is ever challenged.

Notary Public Practice Test

Notary Public Practice Test

Notary Public Professional Standards & Ethics 5