RI Notary - Rhode Island Notary Official Stamp and Journal Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Rhode Island law, which of the following is a mandatory requirement for a notary's official stamp?
- The notary's commission expiration date.
- The notary's full home address.
- The words 'Notary Public' and 'Rhode Island'. (Correct answer)
- A circular shape with a serrated edge.
Correct answer: The words 'Notary Public' and 'Rhode Island'.
Rhode Island General Law requires that the official stamp include the notary's name as it appears on the commission, and the words 'NOTARY PUBLIC' and 'RHODE ISLAND'. While the commission expiration date and ID number are optional additions, they are not mandatory. The stamp can be either round or rectangular, and must have a border.
Question 2: A Rhode Island notary, Pat, is considering keeping a journal of notarial acts. Which statement accurately reflects the state's requirements regarding a notary journal?
- A journal is legally mandated for all notarial acts.
- The journal must be submitted to the Secretary of State annually.
- A journal is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice. (Correct answer)
- If kept, the journal must be a digital record stored in the cloud.
Correct answer: A journal is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice.
In Rhode Island, maintaining a notary journal is not legally required, but the Secretary of State strongly encourages it as a matter of good practice to protect the notary. If a notary chooses to keep a journal, it should be a permanently bound book.
Question 3: A newly commissioned Rhode Island notary purchases an official stamp. The stamp is rectangular and includes the notary's name, the words 'NOTARY PUBLIC', 'RHODE ISLAND', and the commission ID number. The notary uses blue ink. Does this stamp comply with Rhode Island law?
- No, because the stamp must be circular.
- Yes, the stamp meets all legal requirements. (Correct answer)
- No, because the commission expiration date is missing.
- No, because only black ink is permissible for official stamps.
Correct answer: Yes, the stamp meets all legal requirements.
This stamp is compliant. Rhode Island law allows for either a round or rectangular stamp. The required elements are the notary's name, 'NOTARY PUBLIC', and 'RHODE ISLAND'. The commission ID number is optional. The law requires a dark-colored ink, which includes blue.
Question 4: If a Rhode Island notary who chooses to maintain a journal resigns their commission, what is the recommended procedure for the journal?
- File it with the county recorder of deeds.
- Destroy it immediately along with the official stamp.
- Surrender it to the Rhode Island Department of State.
- Retain the journal for a period of seven years. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Retain the journal for a period of seven years.
The Rhode Island Notary Public Manual advises that upon resignation, expiration, or revocation of a commission, a notary who elected to use a journal should retain it for seven years. The stamp, however, must be destroyed or defaced.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT a required element on a Rhode Island notary's official stamp?
- The notary's name as it appears on the commission.
- An edge border.
- The notary's commission identification number. (Correct answer)
- The words 'RHODE ISLAND'.
Correct answer: The notary's commission identification number.
Rhode Island law mandates the stamp include the notary's name, the words 'NOTARY PUBLIC' and 'RHODE ISLAND', and have an edge border. The notary's commission ID number and expiration date are permitted on the stamp but are not required elements.
Question 6: A Rhode Island notary is asked to notarize a document but has misplaced their official inked stamp. They have an embosser that contains all the required information. What should the notary do?
- Use the embosser by itself, as it contains the required information.
- Decline to perform the notarization until the inked stamp is found or replaced. (Correct answer)
- Use the embosser and then trace over the raised seal with a dark-colored pen.
- Proceed with the notarization but make a note in the journal that the stamp was not used.
Correct answer: Decline to perform the notarization until the inked stamp is found or replaced.
Rhode Island notaries are required to use an inked stamp for every notarial act. An embosser may only be used in conjunction with an inker to make the impression visible when copied. Therefore, without a method to ink the impression, the notarization cannot be completed.
RI Notary - Rhode Island Notary Official Stamp and Journal Questions and Answers 1
According to Rhode Island law, which of the following is a mandatory requirement for a notary's official stamp?