RI Notary - Rhode Island Notary Prohibited Acts and Misconduct Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Rhode Island notary public who is not a licensed attorney is advertising their services in a local newspaper. Which of the following is a prohibited act?

Accepted Answer

Using the phrase 'notario publico' to attract Spanish-speaking clients.

Answer

Including their commission expiration date in the advertisement.

Answer

Listing the standard fees for notarial acts.

Answer

Stating their hours of availability for notarial services.

Question 2

A man arrives at a notary's office with a power of attorney document that he needs notarized. The notary notices that the man is named as the agent in the document, and the notary is the man's spouse. What is the appropriate action for the notary to take?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize the document due to a conflict of interest.

Answer

Notarize the document but make a note of the relationship in the journal.

Answer

Proceed with the notarization since the notary is not a party to the transaction.

Answer

Ask another notary in the office to perform the notarization as a witness.

Question 3

Which of the following actions constitutes the unauthorized practice of law by a Rhode Island notary who is not an attorney?

Accepted Answer

Advising a client on which type of deed is best for their real estate transaction.

Answer

Informing a signer of the fee for an acknowledgment before performing the act.

Answer

Refusing to notarize a document that the notary believes to be fraudulent.

Answer

Administering an oath of office to a newly elected official.

Question 4

A signer presents a document for notarization but refuses to take an oath or affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the statements within it. The notarial certificate requires a jurat. What is the notary's proper course of action?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarization.

Answer

Cross out the jurat and write in an acknowledgment certificate.

Answer

Proceed with the notarization but note the refusal in the journal.

Answer

Explain the legal consequences of not taking the oath and then sign.

Question 5

Under what circumstances is it permissible for a Rhode Island notary to affix their signature and seal to an incomplete notarial certificate?

Accepted Answer

Under no circumstances.

Answer

When the signer promises to fill in the missing information immediately after the notary leaves.

Answer

When an attorney, who is a party to the transaction, instructs the notary to do so and promises to complete it.

Answer

When the notary is leaving for vacation and wants to leave pre-signed certificates for their boss.

Question 6

A Rhode Island notary is asked to certify a copy of a birth certificate. The signer has the original document. Which of the following is the correct action for the notary to take?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to certify the copy and direct the signer to the official agency that issues vital records.

Answer

Make a photocopy, and notarize their own signature on a statement that it is a true copy.

Answer

Compare the photocopy to the original and, if it matches, affix their seal to the copy.

Answer

Advise the signer to make a sworn statement that the copy is true and then notarize the signer's signature.