FREE Duties & Responsibilities of a Notary Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is a core duty of a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the identity of document signers

Answer

Verifying the identity of document signers is one of the most fundamental duties of a Notary Public. By confirming who is signing, the notary helps prevent fraud and ensures the document's integrity. Notaries are not authorized to give legal advice, determine legal enforceability, or file documents with courts.

Question 2

A notary discovers that a signer appears to be under duress. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to complete the notarization

Answer

A notary has a duty to confirm that the signer is acting freely and voluntarily. If a signer appears to be under duress — meaning they are being coerced or pressured — the notary must refuse to complete the notarization. Notarizing a document signed under duress could make the notary complicit in an improper act.

Question 3

How should a notary handle a request to notarize a document with blank spaces?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize until all blanks are completed or crossed out

Answer

A notary should refuse to notarize a document that contains blank spaces, because those spaces could be filled in after the notarization with unauthorized content — potentially altering the document's meaning. All blanks should be completed by the appropriate parties or struck through before the notarization takes place.

Question 4

What is a notary's responsibility regarding keeping a notary journal?

Accepted Answer

Many states require notaries to maintain a chronological journal of all notarial acts

Answer

Many states require notaries to maintain an official journal (also called a notary register or log) that records every notarial act they perform. This journal serves as a permanent record of notarizations, provides legal protection for the notary if a transaction is later disputed, and may be subpoenaed as evidence in legal proceedings.

Question 5

A notary is asked to notarize a document for a close family member. What is the best practice?

Accepted Answer

Decline, as notarizing for family members can create a conflict of interest

Answer

Best practice — and in many states, the law — discourages or prohibits notaries from notarizing documents for close family members. Because a notary must be an impartial, disinterested third party, any personal relationship or financial interest in the transaction can compromise that impartiality and expose the notary to liability.

Notary Public Practice Test

Notary Public Practice Test

FREE Duties & Responsibilities of a Notary Questions and Answers