Notary Public Exam Basic 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following documents typically requires notarization?
- A grocery list
- A real estate deed (Correct answer)
- A personal journal entry
- An internal company memo
Correct answer: A real estate deed
Real estate deeds are legal documents that typically require notarization to be recorded and legally binding.
Question 2: What must a notary do if a signer appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Proceed if the signer insists
- Refuse to notarize the document (Correct answer)
- Notarize but add a disclaimer
- Call law enforcement immediately
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document
A notary must refuse to notarize if the signer cannot demonstrate awareness and willingness due to impairment.
Question 3: What is a 'jurat' in notarial practice?
- A type of notary seal
- A certificate where the signer swears or affirms to the truth of a document (Correct answer)
- A government fee schedule
- A notary's identification card
Correct answer: A certificate where the signer swears or affirms to the truth of a document
A jurat is a notarial act where the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of the document's contents before the notary.
Question 4: A notary's commission is issued by which authority?
- The federal government
- The county clerk
- The state government (Correct answer)
- The American Bar Association
Correct answer: The state government
Notary commissions are issued by state governments, typically through the Secretary of State's office.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a notary's journal or logbook?
- To advertise notarial services
- To create a chronological record of all notarial acts performed (Correct answer)
- To store original documents
- To record client financial information
Correct answer: To create a chronological record of all notarial acts performed
A notary's journal provides a chronological record of notarial acts, which serves as evidence in case of disputes or fraud investigations.
Question 6: Can a notary notarize a document that is written in a foreign language?
- Never under any circumstances
- Yes, if the notary can read and understand the language
- Yes, because the notary only certifies the signature, not the content (Correct answer)
- Only if a certified translator is present
Correct answer: Yes, because the notary only certifies the signature, not the content
A notary certifies the signer's identity and signature, not the document's content, so notarizing a foreign-language document is generally permissible.
Question 7: What is the correct term for the person who appears before a notary to have a document notarized?
- Beneficiary
- Principal or signer (Correct answer)
- Grantor
- Respondent
Correct answer: Principal or signer
The person appearing before a notary to have a document notarized is called the principal or signer.
Notary Public Exam Basic 2
Which of the following documents typically requires notarization?