WY Notary Oaths and Affirmations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an oath in the context of notarial acts?
- A solemn, spoken pledge invoking a higher power to attest to the truth (Correct answer)
- A written statement signed under penalty of perjury
- A notary's certification that a document is genuine
- A promise to pay a fee for notarial services
Correct answer: A solemn, spoken pledge invoking a higher power to attest to the truth
An oath is a verbal pledge invoking a religious or solemn higher power, administered by the notary, attesting that statements are true.
Question 2: What distinguishes an affirmation from an oath?
- An affirmation does not invoke a deity and is a solemn pledge on personal honor (Correct answer)
- An affirmation is only used for government documents
- An affirmation requires two witnesses while an oath requires none
- An affirmation is written rather than spoken
Correct answer: An affirmation does not invoke a deity and is a solemn pledge on personal honor
An affirmation carries the same legal weight as an oath but omits any religious reference, suitable for those who object to swearing.
Question 3: May a Wyoming notary public administer oaths?
- Yes, administering oaths is a standard notarial act in Wyoming (Correct answer)
- No, only judges may administer oaths
- Yes, but only to Wyoming state employees
- No, oaths require a court officer
Correct answer: Yes, administering oaths is a standard notarial act in Wyoming
Wyoming notaries are authorized to administer oaths and affirmations as part of their official notarial powers.
Question 4: When may a signer choose an affirmation instead of an oath?
- At any time, for any reason, including religious or personal beliefs (Correct answer)
- Only when a judge approves the substitution
- Only for immigration documents
- Only when the document specifically allows it
Correct answer: At any time, for any reason, including religious or personal beliefs
Any person may choose an affirmation over an oath for any reason, and the notary must honor that choice.
Question 5: What must a person physically do when taking a verbal oath before a notary?
- Be personally present and respond affirmatively to the oath wording (Correct answer)
- Sign the document twice
- Raise their right hand as a legal requirement in Wyoming
- Provide a written statement in addition to the verbal oath
Correct answer: Be personally present and respond affirmatively to the oath wording
The person must be personally present and respond affirmatively (e.g., 'I do' or 'I swear') to the notary's administered oath wording.
Question 6: What is the legal consequence of making a false statement after taking an oath administered by a notary?
- The person may be charged with perjury (Correct answer)
- The notary's commission is automatically revoked
- The document becomes void and unenforceable
- The signer forfeits any fee paid to the notary
Correct answer: The person may be charged with perjury
Knowingly making a false statement after taking an oath constitutes perjury, which is a criminal offense.
WY Notary Oaths and Affirmations 1
What is an oath in the context of notarial acts?