RI Notary Acknowledgments versus Jurats 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A signer brings a deed to a Rhode Island notary that was already signed last week. Which notarial act can the notary properly perform?
- An acknowledgment, because the signer may acknowledge a prior signature (Correct answer)
- A jurat, because the document is already signed
- Neither act, because the document must be signed in the notary's presence for both
- A copy certification of the deed
Correct answer: An acknowledgment, because the signer may acknowledge a prior signature
An acknowledgment permits a previously signed document, as long as the signer personally appears and acknowledges the signature as their own.
Question 2: For a jurat performed in Rhode Island, when must the signer sign the document?
- Any time before appearing, as long as they confirm the signature
- In the notary's physical presence at the time of notarization (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days before the notarization
- After the notary completes the certificate
Correct answer: In the notary's physical presence at the time of notarization
A jurat requires the signer to sign the document in the notary's presence and then swear or affirm to its truthfulness.
Question 3: Which statement best describes the core purpose of an acknowledgment?
- To certify the contents of the document are true
- To confirm the signer's identity and that the signature was made willingly (Correct answer)
- To administer an oath about future conduct
- To verify the document was recorded with the town clerk
Correct answer: To confirm the signer's identity and that the signature was made willingly
An acknowledgment verifies the signer's identity and that they signed voluntarily; it does not attest to the truth of the document's contents.
Question 4: Which wording in a notarial certificate signals that a jurat, not an acknowledgment, is required?
- "Acknowledged before me"
- "Subscribed and sworn to before me" (Correct answer)
- "Personally appeared and acknowledged"
- "Witness my hand and official seal" alone
Correct answer: "Subscribed and sworn to before me"
"Subscribed and sworn to before me" is the classic jurat language indicating the signer signed and took an oath before the notary.
Question 5: A signer presents an affidavit for court and asks the Rhode Island notary which certificate to attach. The document has no notarial wording. What should the notary do?
- Choose a jurat automatically because affidavits usually require one
- Ask the signer to choose the type of act, or refer them to the document's issuing or receiving agency (Correct answer)
- Refuse to notarize any document lacking preprinted wording
- Attach both an acknowledgment and a jurat to be safe
Correct answer: Ask the signer to choose the type of act, or refer them to the document's issuing or receiving agency
A notary may not practice law by selecting the act; the signer or the receiving agency must decide which certificate is needed.
Question 6: During a jurat, what verbal ceremony must the Rhode Island notary perform?
- Read the entire document aloud to the signer
- Administer an oath or affirmation that the contents are true (Correct answer)
- Recite the state's notarial statute
- Ask the signer to state their address for the record
Correct answer: Administer an oath or affirmation that the contents are true
A jurat is incomplete without the notary administering an oath or affirmation regarding the truth of the document.
Question 7: Which of the following is TRUE for both acknowledgments and jurats in Rhode Island?
- The signer must sign in the notary's presence
- The signer must take an oath
- The signer must personally appear before the notary (Correct answer)
- The document must be a sworn statement
Correct answer: The signer must personally appear before the notary
Personal appearance of the signer before the notary is required for every notarial act, including both acknowledgments and jurats.
RI Notary Acknowledgments versus Jurats 2
A signer brings a deed to a Rhode Island notary that was already signed last week.
Which notarial act can the notary properly perform?