WY Notary Oaths and Affirmations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a verbal oath as administered by a notary?
- A spoken pledge administered by the notary to which the signer responds affirmatively (Correct answer)
- A recorded video statement by the signer
- A written oath read silently by the signer
- An oath that may be completed by mail
Correct answer: A spoken pledge administered by the notary to which the signer responds affirmatively
A verbal oath is spoken aloud by the notary to the signer, who then responds affirmatively, making the oath legally binding.
Question 2: Can a Wyoming notary administer an oath to themselves?
- No, a notary cannot administer an oath to themselves (Correct answer)
- Yes, if they are also the affiant on the document
- Yes, for personal affidavits only
- No, but they may sign without an oath
Correct answer: No, a notary cannot administer an oath to themselves
A notary cannot be both the administering officer and the person taking the oath, as notarizing one's own document is prohibited.
Question 3: Must a Wyoming notary record oaths administered in their notarial journal?
- Yes, Wyoming recommends recording all notarial acts including oaths in the journal (Correct answer)
- No, oaths are exempt from journal entry requirements
- Only oaths for real estate documents need to be recorded
- Only oaths for government officials need to be recorded
Correct answer: Yes, Wyoming recommends recording all notarial acts including oaths in the journal
Wyoming notaries are encouraged to record all notarial acts, including administered oaths, in their official notarial journal.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an oath of office taken by a Wyoming notary upon commissioning?
- To affirm the notary will faithfully and impartially perform their duties (Correct answer)
- To swear they have no criminal record
- To promise to collect state-mandated fees
- To certify they have completed 40 hours of training
Correct answer: To affirm the notary will faithfully and impartially perform their duties
The notary's oath of office is a commitment to faithfully and impartially perform all notarial duties as required by Wyoming law.
Question 5: What sample language is appropriate for a Wyoming notary to administer a verbal jurat oath?
- 'Do you swear or affirm that the contents of this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge?' (Correct answer)
- 'I hereby certify this document is authentic.'
- 'Do you acknowledge that you signed this document voluntarily?'
- 'This document has been witnessed by a notary public.'
Correct answer: 'Do you swear or affirm that the contents of this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge?'
The proper jurat oath asks the signer to swear or affirm that the document's contents are true and correct to the best of their knowledge.
Question 6: Is physical hand-raising legally required when taking an oath before a Wyoming notary?
- No, it is traditional but not legally required (Correct answer)
- Yes, Wyoming statute requires raising the right hand
- Yes, but only for court-related documents
- No, but the notary must record that it was waived
Correct answer: No, it is traditional but not legally required
Raising one's hand is a traditional practice but Wyoming law does not mandate it as a requirement for a valid oath.
WY Notary Oaths and Affirmations 2
What is a verbal oath as administered by a notary?