A Notary Public performs a jurat. The signer completed the document and signed it, then took the oath/affirmation. After the oath, the signer realized a minor typo in the document's text and asked to correct it by hand. What is the Notary Public's responsibility regarding this correction?
- AAllow the signer to make the correction, as it is minor and doesn't affect the jurat.
- BAllow the signer to make the correction, but the Notary must initial it.
- CRefuse to allow any corrections after the oath, as the document is now 'notarized'.
- DAdvise the signer that any corrections must be made before the oath/affirmation and require a re-notarization.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Advise the signer that any corrections must be made before the oath/affirmation and require a re-notarization.
For a jurat, the signer swears to the truthfulness of the document's contents AS IT EXISTS at the time the oath is administered. Any alteration after the oath or signature (which occurs after the oath) invalidates the original jurat. The document would need to be corrected and the entire jurat process, including the oath and signature, would have to be repeated.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Even minor changes alter the content sworn to, necessitating a new notarial act.
- B. A Notary cannot initial document changes; all changes must occur before the oath and signature.
- C. While the document is 'notarized' in a sense, it's the signer's responsibility, and the Notary must ensure the oath applies to the final, correct content.
Jurat - Post-Oath Alterations
Any alteration, even minor, to a document after the signer has taken the oath/affirmation for a jurat invalidates the original notarial act. The document must be corrected and the entire jurat process (oath, signature, certificate) must be repeated.
- Oath applies to document 'as is'.
- Alterations after oath invalidate jurat.
- Requires new oath and re-notarization.
Memory trick: Oath seals the truth; change the text, and the truth needs a re-test!