RI Notary Prohibited Acts and Misconduct 2

Question 1

A Rhode Island notary is asked to notarize a deed in which the notary is named as the grantee. What must the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarization because of a direct beneficial interest

Answer

Perform it but note the interest in the certificate

Answer

Perform it if a witness is present

Answer

Charge a reduced fee to offset the conflict

Question 2

Which of the following actions by a non-attorney Rhode Island notary constitutes the unauthorized practice of law?

Accepted Answer

Advising a client which type of deed best protects their interests

Answer

Completing a notarial certificate on a signed document

Answer

Administering an oath to an affiant

Answer

Certifying a copy of a document when permitted

Question 3

A signer's spouse presents a document already signed by the absent signer and asks for notarization. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse because the signer must personally appear before the notary

Answer

Notarize it if the spouse vouches for the signature

Answer

Notarize it if the spouse shows the signer's ID

Answer

Notarize it and note the signer's absence

Question 4

A Rhode Island notary who is not an attorney advertises notary services in Spanish. Which practice is prohibited?

Accepted Answer

Using the literal translation "notario publico" without required disclaimers

Answer

Listing the fees charged for notarial acts

Answer

Stating the notary's commission expiration date

Answer

Offering services in more than one language

Question 5

A notary's employer instructs her to backdate a notarial certificate to match a contract date. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse, because a certificate must state the actual date of the notarial act

Answer

Comply since the employer holds legal responsibility

Answer

Comply if the difference is fewer than 30 days

Answer

Leave the date blank for the employer to fill in

Question 6

Which situation would generally require a Rhode Island notary to refuse the notarization?

Accepted Answer

The signer appears heavily intoxicated and cannot understand the document

Answer

The signer is elderly and signs slowly

Answer

The document is written in a language the notary can identify but the signer understands

Answer

The signer uses a wheelchair

Question 7

A notary lends his official stamp to a trusted coworker to "finish up" notarizations while he is on vacation. This is:

Accepted Answer

Prohibited, since only the commissioned notary may use the official stamp

Answer

Acceptable if the coworker is also a notary

Answer

Acceptable with the employer's written approval

Answer

Acceptable if the notary reviews the documents later