WI Notary Notarial Acts and Certificates 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What language must a Wisconsin notarial certificate be written in if the notary does not understand the language of the document?
- English (Correct answer)
- The language of the signer
- Any language the notary chooses
- The language of the document
Correct answer: English
Wisconsin notarial certificates must be in English so the notary can complete and understand the certificate even if the underlying document is in another language.
Question 2: Which notarial act is used when a notary witnesses a person sign a document?
- Witnessing or attesting a signature (Correct answer)
- Taking an acknowledgment
- Administering an oath
- Certifying a copy
Correct answer: Witnessing or attesting a signature
Witnessing or attesting a signature is the notarial act where the notary observes the actual signing of a document.
Question 3: If a signer is physically unable to sign their name in Wisconsin, what may a notary do?
- The notary may sign at the direction of the signer (Correct answer)
- The notary may refuse to notarize
- The notary must require a power of attorney
- The notary must call a witness
Correct answer: The notary may sign at the direction of the signer
Under Wisconsin law, a notary may sign a document on behalf of a physically unable signer if directed to do so by that individual.
Question 4: What must a notary do if the wording of a notarial certificate is incorrect or missing from a document?
- Attach or complete the correct certificate wording (Correct answer)
- Refuse to notarize and return the document
- Sign the document without any certificate
- Call the county clerk for instructions
Correct answer: Attach or complete the correct certificate wording
A Wisconsin notary should attach or complete the proper certificate language if it is missing or incorrect before performing the notarial act.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT a type of notarial act in Wisconsin?
- Issuing a subpoena (Correct answer)
- Administering an oath
- Taking an acknowledgment
- Certifying a copy of a document
Correct answer: Issuing a subpoena
Issuing a subpoena is a judicial or legal function, not a notarial act authorized under Wisconsin law.
Question 6: When performing a jurat in Wisconsin, at what point must the signer take the oath?
- Before or at the time of signing (Correct answer)
- Only after signing the document
- Only before the notary arrives
- The timing is irrelevant
Correct answer: Before or at the time of signing
For a jurat, the signer must take the oath or affirmation before or at the moment of signing, not after.
WI Notary Notarial Acts and Certificates 2
What language must a Wisconsin notarial certificate be written in if the notary does not understand the language of the document?