Types of Notarial Acts Flashcards

During an acknowledgment, which statement must the signer make to the notary?

Answer: That they signed the document voluntarily for its stated purpose

An acknowledgment is the signer's declaration that the signature is theirs and was made willingly, not a statement about the truth of the contents.

A signer must be placed under oath or affirmation for which pair of notarial acts?

Answer: Jurats and verifications on oath or affirmation

Only sworn acts — jurats and verifications on oath or affirmation — require the notary to administer an oath or affirmation.

Which record may a New Mexico notary generally NOT make a certified copy of?

Answer: A birth certificate or other vital record

Vital records and other publicly recordable documents must be certified by the official custodian, not by a notary.

When a notary 'witnesses or attests a signature,' what must occur?

Answer: The signer signs the record in the notary's presence after being identified

Witnessing or attesting a signature requires the identified signer to sign in the notary's presence, but no oath is administered.

A deposition witness must be sworn in before testifying. Which notarial act does the notary perform?

Answer: Administering an oath or affirmation

Swearing in a witness for testimony is the standalone act of administering an oath or affirmation.

Under RULONA, 'verification on oath or affirmation' is the formal term for which common act?

Answer: A jurat

RULONA uses 'verification on oath or affirmation' as the statutory name for the act traditionally called a jurat.

If a certificate on a document does not indicate which notarial act is required, what should the notary do?

Answer: Ask the signer to choose the act; the notary may not decide for them

Choosing the type of notarial act is the signer's (or issuing agency's) decision; selecting it for them could be unauthorized practice of law.