Most people interact with notarized documents at some point in their lives: a property deed, a power of attorney, a will, or an affidavit. But how much do you actually know about the notarization process? Take this quiz and find out.
Give yourself one point for every correct answer. The answer key is at the bottom. No peeking.
Question 1: What is the primary role of a Notary Public?
A. To provide legal advice to clients
B. To verify the identity of signers and witness the signing of documents
C. To draft legal documents on behalf of clients
Question 2: Which of the following must always accompany a notary stamp to make a notarization valid?
A. A court filing number
B. The notary’s original wet-ink signature
C. A witness statement
Question 3: A notary stamp is valid even if the commission expiration date is missing.
A. True
B. False
C. It depends on the state
Question 4: What is a notary journal?
A. A personal diary kept by the notary
B. A court filing document
C. An official record of every notarial act a notary performs
Question 5: Which of the following is a red flag on a notary stamp?
A. The commission number is visible
B. The stamp appears to have been digitally inserted into the document
C. The expiration date is current
ANSWER KEY
Question 1: B — A Notary Public is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice or draft documents. Their role is specifically to verify identity, witness signings, and certify that the process was properly executed.
Question 2: B — A notary stamp alone is not legally valid. It must always be accompanied by the notary’s original wet-ink signature. If the signature is missing, printed, or looks identical across multiple documents, the notarization is not valid.
Question 3: B — False — A valid notary stamp must include the commission expiration date. A stamp without it does not meet the legal standard and should not be accepted.
Question 4: C — A notary journal is an official record of every notarial act a notary performs. It includes the date, type of document, signer’s identity, form of identification used, fee charged, and the signer’s signature. It is one of the most important tools in a notary’s practice.
Question 5: B — A legitimate notary stamp is physically applied to a document. If it appears to have been digitally inserted into a scanned or digital file, that is a serious red flag indicating possible fraud.
HOW DID YOU SCORE?
5 correct — Notary Master 🏆 You know your stuff. You understand the notarization process inside and out, and you are well-equipped to protect yourself and your documents.
4 correct — Almost There 🎯 You are close to the top. One or two gaps worth filling. Review the questions you missed, and you will be a Notary Master in no time.
2 to 3 correct — Notary Novice 📚 You have a basic awareness, but your foundation needs work. The good news is that the information is simple once you know where to look.
0 to 1 correct — Notary Newbie 😅 No worries, everyone starts somewhere. The important thing is that you now know what to look for and what to ask.
Whatever your score, the most important step is making sure your documents are handled by a verified Notary Public you can trust.
Visit lookingglassrunners.com to get your documents properly notarized.
