RI Notary Performing Core Notarial Acts 2

Question 1

When taking an acknowledgment in Rhode Island, what must the individual do in the notary's presence?

Accepted Answer

Appear personally and declare the signature was made voluntarily for its stated purpose

Answer

Sign the document a second time on a duplicate copy

Answer

Recite the entire document aloud

Answer

Provide two witnesses to the signing

Question 2

A signer brings a document that was already signed last week and asks for a jurat. What should the Rhode Island notary do?

Accepted Answer

Require the signer to re-sign the document in the notary's presence after taking the oath

Answer

Complete the jurat since the signature looks genuine

Answer

Change the certificate to an acknowledgment without asking

Answer

Notarize but note the earlier signing date

Question 3

Which of the following is a proper way for a Rhode Island notary to identify a signer who has no identification documents?

Accepted Answer

Rely on the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the notary who knows the signer

Answer

Accept the signer's verbal statement of identity

Answer

Compare the signature to one on the document

Answer

Ask a family member to vouch by phone

Question 4

What is the essential difference between an oath and an affirmation?

Accepted Answer

An oath invokes a deity while an affirmation is a solemn pledge on personal honor

Answer

An oath is written and an affirmation is verbal

Answer

An oath applies only to court documents

Answer

An affirmation carries no penalty for false statements

Question 5

A Rhode Island notary is asked to certify a copy of a birth certificate. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Decline, because copies of vital records must be certified by the issuing agency

Answer

Certify the copy after comparing it to the original

Answer

Certify it only if the requester signs an affidavit

Answer

Certify it but stamp it 'informational only'

Question 6

When performing a signature witnessing, what does the Rhode Island notary certify?

Accepted Answer

That the individual appeared, was identified, and signed the record in the notary's presence

Answer

That the contents of the document are true

Answer

That the document is legally enforceable

Answer

That the signer read and understood every provision

Question 7

Which element must ALWAYS be true for any notarial act performed by a Rhode Island notary?

Accepted Answer

The signer appears in person before the notary at the time of notarization

Answer

The document is written in English

Answer

The signer pays a fee before the act

Answer

The document was drafted by an attorney