NSA Ethics and Best Practices 3

Question 1

Which scenario represents a direct financial interest that would disqualify an NSA from performing a notarization?

Accepted Answer

The NSA owns stock in the title insurance company issuing the title policy

Answer

Owning a financial stake in a party to the transaction creates a direct conflict of interest that disqualifies the notary.

Question 2

A borrower refuses to sign the Right of Rescission (ROR) notice, claiming they don't need it. What should the NSA do?

Accepted Answer

Explain the ROR is required by federal law and contact the lender if the borrower still refuses

Answer

The ROR is federally mandated and the NSA must inform the borrower and escalate to the lender rather than skip or alter the document.

Question 3

How should an NSA handle a situation where a document contains a blank that should have been filled in before the signing appointment?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize that document and contact the hiring party immediately

Answer

NSAs must never complete blanks in documents; they should stop and contact the hiring party to obtain a corrected document.

Question 4

Which practice best protects an NSA from accusations of notarial misconduct?

Accepted Answer

Keeping a detailed notary journal recording every notarial act

Answer

A thorough notary journal is the primary contemporaneous record that defends the NSA against allegations of improper conduct.

Question 5

A lender instructs the NSA to notarize a borrower's signature on a document even though the borrower did not sign in the NSA's presence. What must the NSA do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse because personal appearance is a fundamental requirement

Answer

Personal appearance before the notary at the time of notarization is a foundational legal requirement that cannot be waived by any party.

(NSA) Notary Signing Agent Certification Practice Test

(NSA) Notary Signing Agent Certification Practice Test

NSA Ethics and Best Practices 3