WV Notary Notarial Acts and Procedures 3

Question 1

A signer objects to swearing an oath for religious reasons. The West Virginia notary should:

Accepted Answer

Offer an affirmation, which has the same legal effect without religious reference

Answer

An affirmation is a legally equivalent, secular alternative to an oath.

Question 2

Which document copy may a West Virginia notary generally NOT certify?

Accepted Answer

A birth certificate or other publicly recorded vital record

Answer

Copies of vital records and other publicly recordable documents must be certified by the official custodian, not a notary.

Question 3

During a notarization, the notary realizes the signer appears confused and cannot explain what the document is. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Decline to notarize because the signer does not appear to understand the transaction

Answer

A notary must refuse when the signer does not appear competent or aware of what they are signing.

Question 4

A pre-printed certificate on a document says 'Subscribed and sworn to before me.' This wording tells the West Virginia notary that the required act is:

Accepted Answer

A jurat (verification on oath or affirmation)

Answer

'Subscribed and sworn to' is the classic jurat language, requiring signing in the notary's presence and an oath.

Question 5

If a document has no notarial certificate at all, the West Virginia notary should:

Accepted Answer

Ask the signer which act is required and attach the corresponding certificate, without advising which to choose

Answer

The signer (or the issuing/receiving agency) must select the notarial act; the notary may then attach a loose certificate but may not choose for them.

(WV Notary) West Virginia Notary Exam Practice Test

(WV Notary) West Virginia Notary Exam Practice Test

WV Notary Notarial Acts and Procedures 3