OR Notary Oregon Notary Certificate Wording and Completion 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must an Oregon notary include along with their signature on a notarial certificate?
- Their official seal and commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- Their home address and phone number
- Their Social Security number
- Their employer's name and address
Correct answer: Their official seal and commission expiration date
Oregon notaries must include their official seal and commission expiration date on the notarial certificate along with their signature.
Question 2: If an Oregon notarial certificate contains an error discovered after the document was returned to the signer, what is the correct procedure?
- Contact the signer to have them return the document for correction or re-notarization (Correct answer)
- Make corrections directly to the original document without involving the signer
- File a corrective notice with the Secretary of State
- Issue a separate 'correction certificate' without the original document
Correct answer: Contact the signer to have them return the document for correction or re-notarization
If an error is discovered after the document was returned, the notary should contact the signer to arrange for correction or a new notarization.
Question 3: Can an Oregon notary complete a notarial certificate that was prepared in another state?
- Yes, if Oregon's certificate requirements are substantially met (Correct answer)
- No, only certificates prepared in Oregon may be used
- Only if the document will be used in Oregon
- Only with prior approval from the Secretary of State
Correct answer: Yes, if Oregon's certificate requirements are substantially met
Oregon notaries may use or complete certificates from other states as long as they substantially comply with Oregon's notarial certificate requirements.
Question 4: What is the significance of the notary's commission expiration date on the certificate?
- It confirms the notary had valid authority at the time of the notarial act (Correct answer)
- It shows when the notary must renew to continue charging fees
- It is required only for real estate documents
- It is optional information that notaries may include
Correct answer: It confirms the notary had valid authority at the time of the notarial act
The expiration date on the certificate proves the notary's commission was active when the act was performed, which may be checked years later.
Question 5: An Oregon acknowledgment certificate says 'Before me personally appeared [name].' What does 'personally appeared' mean?
- The signer was physically present before the notary at the time of the act (Correct answer)
- The signer submitted the document by mail
- The signer's attorney appeared on their behalf
- The document was authenticated by video call
Correct answer: The signer was physically present before the notary at the time of the act
'Personally appeared' means the signer was physically in the notary's presence when the acknowledgment was made.
Question 6: What is the correct action if an Oregon notary is asked to back-date a notarial certificate?
- Refuse, as back-dating is fraudulent (Correct answer)
- Comply if the signer provides a written explanation
- Comply only if the original notarization was performed within 30 days
- Consult the Secretary of State before deciding
Correct answer: Refuse, as back-dating is fraudulent
Back-dating a notarial certificate is fraudulent and illegal; the notary must refuse regardless of the signer's explanation.
OR Notary Oregon Notary Certificate Wording and Completion 2
What must an Oregon notary include along with their signature on a notarial certificate?