Notary Public Technology & Tools 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In states that permit electronic journals, which of the following is a required security feature?
- The journal must be printed weekly
- Entries must be tamper-evident and access must be restricted to the notary (Correct answer)
- The journal must be stored on a USB drive
- Entries must be signed by two witnesses
Correct answer: Entries must be tamper-evident and access must be restricted to the notary
Electronic journal platforms must prevent unauthorized alterations and restrict access so only the commissioned notary can make or view entries.
Question 2: What does 'knowledge-based authentication' (KBA) verify during a RON session?
- The notary's professional credentials
- The signer's identity through personal history questions drawn from data records (Correct answer)
- Whether the document content is legally valid
- The RON platform's compliance with state law
Correct answer: The signer's identity through personal history questions drawn from data records
KBA presents the signer with quiz-style questions based on their personal history (e.g., prior addresses, loan amounts) to confirm their identity remotely.
Question 3: A notary using a RON platform records the audio-visual session. How long must this recording typically be retained?
- 30 days
- 1 year
- At least 5 to 10 years, depending on state law (Correct answer)
- Until the document expires
Correct answer: At least 5 to 10 years, depending on state law
Most states that authorize RON require session recordings to be retained for a minimum of 5 to 10 years, mirroring journal retention requirements.
Question 4: Which of the following is an advantage of electronic notarization over traditional paper notarization?
- It eliminates the need for the notary's signature
- It enables faster document processing and remote accessibility (Correct answer)
- It is universally accepted in all countries without question
- It removes any requirement for identity verification
Correct answer: It enables faster document processing and remote accessibility
Electronic notarization speeds up workflows by allowing documents to be signed and notarized remotely, reducing the need for in-person meetings and physical mail.
Question 5: What type of ink is most commonly recommended for notary rubber stamp impressions on legal documents?
- Blue or black ink (Correct answer)
- Red ink only
- Green or purple ink
- Any fluorescent color
Correct answer: Blue or black ink
Blue or black ink is standard for notary stamps because it reproduces clearly on photocopies and is widely accepted by courts and recording offices.
Question 6: When a notary retires or their commission expires, what should they do with their notary seal?
- Keep it as a personal souvenir
- Destroy or deface it to prevent unauthorized use (Correct answer)
- Transfer it to their successor notary
- Return it to the stamp manufacturer
Correct answer: Destroy or deface it to prevent unauthorized use
Upon expiration or resignation of a commission, the notary should destroy or deface the seal to ensure it cannot be used fraudulently after their authority has lapsed.
Question 7: Which feature of RON platforms helps ensure the signer was not coerced during the notarization?
- A mandatory waiting period of 48 hours
- The live audio-visual recording that can be reviewed later (Correct answer)
- A written statement signed by two witnesses
- Automatic approval after 15 minutes
Correct answer: The live audio-visual recording that can be reviewed later
The audio-visual recording of a RON session creates a record that can be reviewed to verify the signer appeared willing and not under duress.
Notary Public Technology & Tools 4
In states that permit electronic journals, which of the following is a required security feature?