OR Notary Oregon Notary Certificate Wording and Completion 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'copy certification by document custodian' certificate in Oregon?
- A certification made by the document's owner that a copy is accurate, with the notary witnessing the signature (Correct answer)
- A certification made by the notary after comparing a copy to the original
- A court-ordered certification of document authenticity
- A notary's attestation that a document has been recorded
Correct answer: A certification made by the document's owner that a copy is accurate, with the notary witnessing the signature
In this type of certification, the document's owner signs a statement that the copy is accurate and the notary witnesses that signature, rather than the notary comparing documents.
Question 2: Which certificate type is used when an Oregon notary witnesses someone sign a document?
- Signature witnessing certificate (Correct answer)
- Acknowledgment certificate
- Jurat certificate
- Copy certification certificate
Correct answer: Signature witnessing certificate
A signature witnessing certificate is used when the notary's role is simply to witness the signing of a document, without requiring an oath.
Question 3: If an Oregon notary performs a notarial act for a corporation, whose name should appear on the notarial certificate?
- The individual representative who personally appeared and signed on behalf of the corporation (Correct answer)
- The corporation's legal name only
- Both the corporation's name and all shareholders
- The corporation's registered agent
Correct answer: The individual representative who personally appeared and signed on behalf of the corporation
The certificate identifies the individual who personally appeared before the notary, even when they signed in a representative capacity for a corporation.
Question 4: In Oregon, when a notary administers an oath of office, what certificate should be used?
- An oath or affirmation certificate (Correct answer)
- An acknowledgment certificate
- A jurat certificate
- No certificate is required for oaths of office
Correct answer: An oath or affirmation certificate
When administering an oath, the notary completes an oath or affirmation certificate documenting that the person swore or affirmed the oath.
Question 5: Can an Oregon notary translate a foreign-language notarial certificate and use it?
- The notary should use an English certificate and may attach a translation separately (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the notary is fluent in the foreign language
- No, foreign-language certificates are never acceptable in Oregon
- Only with approval from the Secretary of State
Correct answer: The notary should use an English certificate and may attach a translation separately
Oregon notaries should use English-language certificates; a translation may be attached separately, but the official notarial certificate should be in English.
Question 6: What does an Oregon notary certify when they complete an 'affirmation' certificate instead of an 'oath' certificate?
- That the signer solemnly affirmed the truth of their statement without invoking a religious oath (Correct answer)
- That the signer refused to take an oath
- That the document does not require a sworn statement
- That the notary personally verifies the document's contents
Correct answer: That the signer solemnly affirmed the truth of their statement without invoking a religious oath
An affirmation is a non-religious substitute for an oath; the affirmation certificate certifies that the signer solemnly declared the truthfulness of their statement.
OR Notary Oregon Notary Certificate Wording and Completion 3
What is a 'copy certification by document custodian' certificate in Oregon?