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

A notary may not notarize a document in which the notary has a direct beneficial or financial interest.

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

Giving legal advice, such as recommending a document type, is unauthorized practice of law for a non-attorney notary.

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

Personal appearance of the signer at the time of notarization is required; notarizing without it is misconduct.

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

Using "notario publico" is misleading because it implies attorney-like authority in many Spanish-speaking countries, so it is restricted without proper disclaimers.

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

Falsifying the date of a notarization is fraud, regardless of employer instructions.

(RI Notary) Rhode Island Notary Exam Practice Test

(RI Notary) Rhode Island Notary Exam Practice Test

RI Notary Prohibited Acts and Misconduct 2