Oaths & Affirmations Flashcards
7 cards from real PA NOTARY practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Oaths & Affirmations flashcards as text
What distinguishes an oath from an affirmation under Pennsylvania notary law?
Answer: An oath invokes a divine being or sacred reference; an affirmation is a solemn pledge without religious reference
An oath involves a pledge invoking a divine being or sacred obligation, while an affirmation is a solemn pledge that carries the same legal weight but omits any religious reference.
Under Pennsylvania law, when must a notary public offer an affirmation instead of an oath?
Answer: When the signer objects to taking an oath on religious or conscientious grounds
Pennsylvania law requires that a notary offer an affirmation to any person who objects to taking an oath due to religious beliefs or matters of conscience.
What notarial certificate is attached to a document to show that the signer swore or affirmed the truth of its contents before a notary?
Answer: Jurat
A jurat is the notarial certificate used when the signer takes an oath or affirmation before the notary, confirming the signer swore to the truthfulness of the document.
What is an 'affiant' in the context of Pennsylvania notarial practice?
Answer: A person who swears or affirms the truth of an affidavit before a notary
An affiant is the individual who swears or affirms that the statements in an affidavit are true, doing so before a notary or other authorized officer.
When administering an oath, what action MUST a Pennsylvania notary take beyond simply having the signer sign the document?
Answer: Verbally administer the oath with appropriate ceremony
A PA notary must actually and verbally administer the oath with appropriate ceremony—the signer cannot merely sign; the oath words must be spoken aloud.
Can a Pennsylvania notary public legally administer an oath to themselves?
Answer: No, a notary cannot administer an oath to themselves
A notary cannot notarize any act in which they have a personal interest, including administering an oath to themselves, as this creates a prohibited conflict of interest.
Under Pennsylvania law, what legal consequence applies to a person who makes a false statement under oath or affirmation administered by a notary?
Answer: The person may be subject to perjury charges
Making a false statement under oath or affirmation constitutes perjury under Pennsylvania law, which is a criminal offense subject to prosecution.