I have been a notary public for a few years now. While most notaries public never notarize enough documents to fill their first official journal, I am well on my way through my third journal, almost to my fourth, and have notarized more than 1,100 documents as of this cache's creation date. Having done so, I've noticed a lot of questions and confusion about notarial acts and duties, both from the person who is having their document notarized as well as other more junior notaries.
Please keep in mind that, unless specified otherwise, all questions and correct answers below utilize California law, or Federal law where applicable. Notarial laws and responsibilities vary between every US state and every country. In the case of True/False or Yes/No questions, if an answer is True or Yes, use a value of 1. If an answer is either False or No, substitute a value of 2 instead.
A. One of the basic notarial acts is to perform a jurat, the taking of a written or spoken oath. A notary public can therefore swear the President of the United States into office. True or False?
B. In California in 2004, what is the maximum charge in US dollars that can be assessed for administering an oath or affirmation?
C. In Montana in 2004, what is the maximum charge in US dollars that can be assessed for administering an oath or affirmation?
D. In Illinois in 2004, what is the maximum charge in US dollars that can be assessed for administering an oath or affirmation?
E. In a refinance of an owner-occupied property, borrowers are protected by the Right of Rescission which allows them to cancel their loan within a certain time period after having had time to consider all aspects of the loan. If the documents are notarized on November 24, 2004, what is the day of the month on which they have until midnight to excerise their rescission right?
F. In the frequent case where a loan officer or lender is also a notary public, can the loan officer legally notarize your signatures on a loan on which they also earn a commission?
G. Can a notary public working at a law firm legally notarize a taped oral deposition of one of the firm's clients? You may assume that the notary public is not also the client's attorney.
H. A borrower signed a deed of trust that required a notarial act called an acknowledgment before the notary arrived to witness the signing. Does the borrower have to re-sign the document?
J. A litigant signed an affidavit that required a notarial act called a jurat before the notary arrived to witness the signing. Does the litigant have to re-sign the document?
K. Two notaries work in the same office. One notary has left her notarial seal at home. If both of their commissions are current, and both offical journals are properly kept, may she use the other's seal?
L. In areas of predominently Spanish-speaking residents, is it acceptable for a notary public to advertise their services as a "notario publico"?
M. Can a notary public legally certify a copy of a passport?
N. Can a notary public with no additional qualifications legally serve as a marriage officiant?
P. The records contained within a notary public's journal is considered public information. Can a notary public charge for photocopies requested of that public information?
Q. How many white poles are located at the above coordinates?
XXX = E + (A + C + D + P) / 2
YYY = (F + G + H + J + K + L + M + N + Q) * B
XXX + YYY = 213
Cache is located at N36 36.XXX W121 53.YYY