NJ Notary NJ Notary - Signature Witnessing and Copy Certification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a New Jersey notary certifies a copy, what must the notarial certificate state?
- That the copy is a true and correct copy of the original document (Correct answer)
- That the notary personally created the copy
- That the document is legally valid
- That the original was inspected by an attorney
Correct answer: That the copy is a true and correct copy of the original document
The copy certification certificate must state that the copy is a true, correct, and complete reproduction of the original document.
Question 2: A New Jersey notary may certify a copy of which of the following?
- A New Jersey driver's license
- A privately created contract between two parties (Correct answer)
- A New Jersey marriage certificate
- A federal court judgment
Correct answer: A privately created contract between two parties
A privately created contract is a document a notary can copy-certify; government-issued IDs and vital records cannot be copy-certified by a notary.
Question 3: During a signature witnessing, a New Jersey notary discovers the signer appears to be under duress. The notary should:
- Proceed but note the duress in the journal
- Refuse to perform the notarial act (Correct answer)
- Allow the signing but contact law enforcement afterward
- Ask a witness to confirm the signer is willing
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarial act
A notary must refuse to perform any notarial act when there is reason to believe the signer is acting under duress or coercion.
Question 4: In New Jersey, how many copies of a document may a notary certify in a single session?
- Only one certified copy per document
- As many copies as requested, provided each is compared to the original (Correct answer)
- No more than three copies per session
- Up to ten copies with a single fee
Correct answer: As many copies as requested, provided each is compared to the original
A notary may certify as many copies as requested, provided each copy is individually compared to the original and a separate certificate is affixed to each.
Question 5: What must a New Jersey notary do if asked to witness a signature on a blank document?
- Complete the blank portions before witnessing
- Refuse to witness a signature on an incomplete document (Correct answer)
- Witness the signature and note the blanks in the journal
- Ask the signer to initial each blank space
Correct answer: Refuse to witness a signature on an incomplete document
A notary must refuse to notarize a document with blank spaces that are material to the document's meaning to prevent fraud.
Question 6: For a New Jersey signature witnessing performed for a principal who cannot write, the notary may:
- Sign on the principal's behalf with their permission
- Accept a mark (X) as the signature if the notary documents it (Correct answer)
- Refuse the act entirely
- Require a guardian's written consent
Correct answer: Accept a mark (X) as the signature if the notary documents it
A notary may accept a mark or X as a signature for someone unable to write, provided the notary notes this in the journal and on the certificate.
NJ Notary NJ Notary - Signature Witnessing and Copy Certification 2
When a New Jersey notary certifies a copy, what must the notarial certificate state?