AL Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a notarial acknowledgment in Alabama?
- To certify that a signer appeared and acknowledged signing the document (Correct answer)
- To confirm the document's content is accurate
- To certify the signer's identity only
- To record the document in the county courthouse
Correct answer: To certify that a signer appeared and acknowledged signing the document
An acknowledgment certifies that the named person personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document voluntarily.
Question 2: In Alabama, a jurat requires the signer to:
- Sign the document in the notary's presence and take an oath (Correct answer)
- Only present a valid photo ID
- Acknowledge signing a previously signed document
- Pay a notary fee before signing
Correct answer: Sign the document in the notary's presence and take an oath
A jurat requires the document to be signed in the notary's presence and the signer to swear or affirm that the contents are true.
Question 3: Which certificate wording is typically associated with an Alabama jurat?
- Subscribed and sworn to before me (Correct answer)
- Acknowledged before me
- Certified and witnessed by
- Affirmed and filed before me
Correct answer: Subscribed and sworn to before me
The phrase 'subscribed and sworn to before me' is the standard language used in a jurat certificate in Alabama.
Question 4: Can an Alabama notary take an acknowledgment from a person who signed a document before appearing before the notary?
- Yes, as long as the signer acknowledges the signature as their own (Correct answer)
- No, the document must always be signed in the notary's presence
- Only if the document is a real estate deed
- Only if two witnesses were present at the original signing
Correct answer: Yes, as long as the signer acknowledges the signature as their own
For an acknowledgment, the signer may have signed previously and then appeared before the notary to acknowledge the signature as their own.
Question 5: When completing an acknowledgment certificate in Alabama, what must the notary include?
- Notary's signature, printed name, and commission expiration date (Correct answer)
- Only the notary's signature and seal
- The signer's Social Security number
- The document's recording number
Correct answer: Notary's signature, printed name, and commission expiration date
Alabama notaries must include their signature, printed name, and commission expiration date on every notarial certificate.
Question 6: If a document presented for acknowledgment in Alabama is written in a foreign language, the notary should:
- Notarize only if the signer communicates sufficiently with the notary (Correct answer)
- Refuse and require an English translation first
- Proceed without any communication requirements
- Contact the Secretary of State for guidance before notarizing
Correct answer: Notarize only if the signer communicates sufficiently with the notary
Alabama notaries may notarize foreign-language documents as long as the notary can communicate with the signer well enough to confirm identity and willingness.
AL Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats 1
What is the primary purpose of a notarial acknowledgment in Alabama?