- Missouri Notary Authorized Notarial Acts Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which of the following is an authorized notarial act in Missouri?

Answer: Administering an oath or affirmation

Administering oaths and affirmations is one of the authorized notarial acts under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 486).

A Missouri notary is asked to certify a copy of a birth certificate. Is this permitted?

Answer: No — birth certificates are vital records that must be certified by the issuing agency

Missouri notaries cannot certify copies of vital records such as birth certificates. These must be obtained from the issuing government agency.

Under Missouri law, can a notary witness a signature on a document without performing a notarial act?

Answer: Yes — witnessing a signature is different from performing a notarial act

A notary can witness a signature as a private citizen without performing a notarial act. Simply watching someone sign is not the same as performing an acknowledgment or jurat.

Which of the following acts requires a Missouri notary to administer an oath or affirmation?

Answer: A jurat

A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath or affirmation to the signer, who swears to the truthfulness of the document's contents.

A Missouri notary performs a notarial act but fails to complete the notarial certificate. What is the consequence?

Answer: The notarial act may be considered incomplete and potentially invalid

A notarial act without a properly completed certificate may be considered incomplete and potentially invalid, as the certificate is the official record of the act.

Can a Missouri notary perform a notarial act for a person who does not speak English?

Answer: Yes — as long as the notary can communicate with the signer through direct communication or an interpreter

A Missouri notary can perform notarial acts for non-English speakers as long as meaningful communication can occur between the notary and signer.