SC Notary - South Carolina Notary General Duties and Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Question 1

A South Carolina notary public's primary responsibility is to:

Accepted Answer

Verify the identity of the person signing the document and witness the signing.

Answer

The core duty of a South Carolina notary is to act as an impartial witness to prevent fraud. This involves positively identifying the signer and ensuring they are signing willingly. Notaries are explicitly prohibited from offering legal advice or drafting documents unless they are also a licensed attorney.

Question 2

A person comes to you with a document that has already been signed. They state they signed it yesterday and just need you to notarize it now. As a South Carolina notary, what is the appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

You must refuse to notarize the signature unless the person acknowledges their signature in your presence.

Answer

South Carolina law requires that the principal signer appear in the notary's physical presence at the time of the notarial act. For an acknowledgment, the signer must appear before the notary and acknowledge that they signed the record. A notary cannot notarize a signature they did not witness or that was not acknowledged in their presence.

Question 3

Which of the following acts is a South Carolina notary public authorized to perform?

Accepted Answer

Administering an oath or affirmation.

Answer

South Carolina notaries are empowered to perform several notarial acts, including administering oaths and affirmations, taking acknowledgments, and witnessing signatures. They are expressly forbidden from certifying copies of vital records (like birth certificates), notarizing their own signatures, or giving legal advice.

Question 4

Regarding a notary journal, what is the requirement in South Carolina?

Accepted Answer

South Carolina law does not require notaries to keep a journal, but it is strongly encouraged.

Answer

The South Carolina Notary Public Reference Manual states that notaries are not required by law to keep a journal. However, it is strongly encouraged as a best practice to have a record of all notarial acts performed in case questions arise later.

Question 5

A South Carolina notary public changes their legal name during their 10-year commission. What is their responsibility?

Accepted Answer

File a Change of Status Request with the Secretary of State's Office within 45 days.

Answer

If a notary's name changes during their commission term, they are required to inform the Secretary of State's Office by filing a Change of Status Request within 45 days of the change to receive a new commission in their new name.

SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Exam Practice Test

SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Exam Practice Test

SC Notary - South Carolina Notary General Duties and Responsibilities Questions and Answers