Notary Public: Complete Instruments

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Questions and Answers

A notary public is presented with a document for acknowledgment. While scanning the document, they notice a field labeled 'Property Address' is blank. What should the notary do?

Contact the county clerk to fill in the missing information before proceeding.
Proceed with the acknowledgment, as the notary's role doesn't involve verifying document details.
Refuse to take the acknowledgment until the 'Property Address' field is completed. (correct)
Complete the 'Property Address' field themselves based on information from the signer.

A document intended for recording includes a section for the county clerk to stamp the recording information. If this section is blank, should the notary public refuse to notarize the document?

Yes, all sections of the document must be complete at the time of notarization.
Only if the clerk's stamp is required for the document to be legally binding.
Only if the signer requests the notary to fill in the information.
No, the notary public can ignore information intended to be added later by the county clerk. (correct)

A notary is asked to notarize a contract. The signature line for one of the parties is blank. What action should the notary take?

Proceed with the notarization, assuming the missing signature will be added later.
Contact the absent party to obtain their signature before notarizing.
Notarize only the signatures present, making a note of the missing signature on the notarization certificate.
Refuse to notarize the contract until all signature lines for the current notarization are signed. (correct)

A client presents a document with a section for witness signatures left blank, stating the witnesses will sign later. Can the notary proceed with notarization?

No, the notary must ensure the document is fully complete before notarization, including witness signatures. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A notary public is asked to notarize a deed of trust. The legal description of the property is referenced as 'See Exhibit A' but Exhibit A is not attached. What should the notary do?

Refuse to notarize the deed of trust until Exhibit A, containing the legal description, is attached. (B) Signup and view all the answers

While notarizing a contract, the notary notices that the date field is blank. What is the appropriate course of action for the notary?

Refuse to notarize the document until the date field is completed by the signer. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A client requests notarization of a document with a blank space for the loan amount. The client assures the notary it will be filled in later. What should the notary do?

Refuse to notarize until the loan amount is entered, as the document is incomplete. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A notary is asked to notarize a document where the amount payable is written in figures but the corresponding amount in words is missing. How should the notary proceed?

The notary should refuse to notarize until the amount in words is also filled in. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A client presents a document for notarization with some sections crossed out and initialed, but one section is crossed out without initials. What should the notary do?

Refuse to notarize until all cross-outs are initialed by the signer. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A document contains blanks intended to be filled in by another signer who is not present. Can the notary proceed with notarization for the present signer?

Yes, the notary can proceed, as the other signer's portion is separate and not the notary's concern. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Complete Documents

A notary must verify that a document is fully filled out before notarizing it.

Exceptions for Completeness

A notary should ignore fields meant for county clerks, recorders, or future signers.

Action on Incomplete Documents

A notary must refuse to notarize incomplete documents.

Study Notes

A notary public must not acknowledge an incomplete instrument.
Notaries should visually scan documents and refuse acknowledgment until complete if the document seems incomplete.
A notary public determining completeness should disregard information to be added later.
Information added later can include county clerk or recorder data.
Information added later can include additional signers not being notarized by the notary public.

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