Notary Knowledge Assessment Survey

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* 1. True or False. A notary public who commits fraud or deceit in the exercise of his/her duties may be imprisoned, fined or both.

True

False

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* 2. True or False. If someone else presents the signer's valid identification, a Notary may notarize the signature of a signer who has not physically appeared before them.

True

False

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* 3. A credible identifying witness can be used as an alternative to an expired form of identification if:

The credible witness meets all criteria under federal law.

The credible witness meets all criteria under Rhode Island state law.

The signer's ID has been expired for more than three years.

The signer has known the witness for at least six months.

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* 4. True or False. Except for the administration of an Oath or Affirmation, all notarial acts require a notarial certificate to be completed.

True

False

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* 5. What information should be entered in the venue section of a notarial certificate?

The location where the notary's commission is filed.

The location of the signer's home address.

The location of the notary's business address.

The location where the notarization takes place.

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* 6. The maximum fee a Notary may charge for a notarial act is:

Up to $10

Up to $20

Up to $1

Up to $25

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* 7. The two most common notarial acts are:

Acknowledgments and copy certifications

Protests and acknowledgments

Acknowledgments and jurats

Jurats and copy certifications

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* 8. What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?

An oath is taken verbally, an affirmation is a promise in writing.

An oath is taken in court, but an affirmation is taken anywhere.

An oath is a promise to a higher power, an affirmation is a promise made on personal honor.

An oath is a promise made before a judge, an affirmation is a promise made before a civilian.

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* 9. A jurat is a notary act that:

Is identical to an acknowledgment.

Requires a Notary to administer an oath or affirmation to a signer.

Is only administered to a member of a jury in a court.

Requires the signer to appear before a judge.

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* 10. True or False. When you print and sign your name on a notarial certificate, it should always match the name that appears on your notary commission.

True

False

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* 11. When identifying an individual, a notary may accept the following forms of identification (Current or expired not more than 3 years.):

A driver’s license or identification card issued by a U.S. Division of Motor Vehicles, Canada, Mexico, or other territory of the U.S.

A Passport issued by the U.S. Department of State or by a foreign government.

Identification card issued by any branch of the U.S. armed forces.

All of the above are acceptable forms of identification.

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* 12. True or False. “Personally known” means that you have known the signer for a sufficient amount of time and you are absolutely certain that the signer has the identity claimed.

True

False

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* 13. Yes or No. Your roommate just introduced their cousin to you and then asked if you could notarize a document for them. For purposes of notarizing the document, can you consider your roommate’s cousin to be “personally known” to you?

Yes

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* 14. True or False. The use of a notary stamp is optional for a notary public in the state of Rhode Island.

True

False

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* 15. Which notarial act allows a signer to affix their signature to a document before they appear in front of a notary?

Jurat

Acknowledgment

Signature Witnessing

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* 16. When performing an Acknowledgement, which step is not required?

Watch the signer affix their signature to the document.

Have the signer verbally acknowledge that their signature was made competently and voluntarily.

Compare the signature on the document to the signer’s ID and the signer’s signature in your notary journal.

Identify the signer through personal knowledge or an accepted form of identification.

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* 17. True or False. A non-attorney notary public may not use the term “notario” or “notario publico.” A non-attorney notary that advertises notarial services should prominently display in any advertisement “I am not an attorney and have no authority to give advice on immigration or other legal matters.” This disclaimer should be displayed in the same language as the advertisement.

True

False

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* 18. A notary stamp must be round (circular) or rectangular with an edged border and include the following elements. Check all that apply:

Notary’s name exactly as it appears on their commission

Words “NOTARY PUBLIC” and “RHODE ISLAND”

The notary’s identification number

The notary’s expiration date

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* 19. True or False. The notary’s tools (commission, stamp, and journal) are the exclusive property of the notary, they may not be used by any other person.

True

False

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* 20. True or False. If a notary leaves their job and their employer paid the commission filing fee, the notary must surrender their stamp and/or journal to employer.

True

False

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* 21. Have you attended a free notary training class offered by the Rhode Island Department of State?

Yes