PA Notary Acts & Wording

Question 1

A document's principal signer cannot appear, but a subscribing witness who saw the principal sign is present. When notarizing on the basis of this witness, what is the core component of the verbal ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Administering an oath or affirmation to the witness confirming they personally saw the principal sign the record.

Answer

The notarial act of taking a verification on oath of a subscribing witness (also known as a proof of execution) centers on the witness swearing or affirming that they personally witnessed the principal signer execute the document. This sworn testimony is what the notary is certifying.

Question 2

A client presents a document with a pre-printed notarial certificate that ambiguously states, 'Acknowledged and Sworn before me this day...'. What is the compliant course of action for a Pennsylvania notary?

Accepted Answer

Ask the signer which notarial act is required, cross out the inapplicable wording, and proceed with the correct act.

Answer

A notary must not make the decision for the signer. When faced with ambiguous wording, the notary's duty is to explain the different notarial acts (acknowledgment vs. verification) and ask the signer to choose. The notary then amends the certificate by lining through the incorrect text to accurately reflect the act performed.

Question 3

A client requests notarization of a contract. The main body is complete, but an addendum section at the end is entirely blank. According to Pennsylvania notary law, the notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize until the blank spaces are either filled in or lined through by the signer.

Answer

Pennsylvania law requires notaries to refuse to notarize a document if it contains blank spaces where information should be. This rule is in place to prevent the fraudulent addition of information after the notarization has been completed. The signer must either complete the spaces or cross them out.

Question 4

A customer needs a 'notarized copy' of their original U.S. Passport. Which of the following describes the authorized notarial act a Pennsylvania notary can perform in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The notary administers an oath to the passport holder, who swears the copy is true and correct, and then completes a jurat.

Answer

In Pennsylvania, notaries are not authorized to certify copies of vital or publicly recordable documents like passports themselves. However, they can perform a 'copy certification by document custodian.' This involves the passport holder (the custodian) presenting the original and a copy and swearing under oath that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction. The notary then notarizes the custodian's sworn statement with a verification on oath or affirmation (jurat).

Question 5

A person acting as an attorney-in-fact for a parent signs a real estate document in your presence. Which detail is most critical for the notary to include in the notarial certificate for this specific act?

Accepted Answer

A statement clarifying that the signer appeared in the capacity of an attorney-in-fact.

Answer

Pennsylvania's RULONA requires that the notarial certificate accurately reflect the circumstances of the notarization. This includes stating the representative capacity of the signer, such as 'attorney-in-fact for [Principal's Name]', to ensure the record is clear and legally sound.

PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam Practice Test

PA Notary - Pennsylvania Notary Exam Practice Test

PA Notary Acts & Wording