California Notary Public ExamAcknowledgments and Proofs of ExecutionMedium
A Notary Public is presented with a document for an acknowledgment. The venue section of the pre-printed certificate reads 'State of California, County of Alameda.' The notarization is taking place in San Francisco County. What is the Notary's correct action regarding the venue?
- ARefuse to notarize until a new document with the correct venue is provided.
- BStrike through 'Alameda' and write in 'San Francisco'.
- CLeave the venue as it is, as long as it is within California.
- DComplete the certificate with 'Alameda' and make a note in the journal.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Strike through 'Alameda' and write in 'San Francisco'.
The venue of a Notary certificate must accurately reflect the actual location (state and county) where the notarization takes place. The Notary must correct any pre-printed venue information that does not match the notarization location.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Refusal is unnecessary; the Notary can simply correct the venue on the existing certificate.
- C. The county must be accurate, not just the state.
- D. Making a note in the journal does not correct the certificate itself, which must be accurate.
Venue Correction
The venue section of a Notary certificate must always reflect the actual state and county where the notarization occurs. If pre-printed information is incorrect, the Notary must amend it.
- Venue is location of notarization.
- Must be accurate (state and county).
- Notary must correct errors.
Memory trick: Venue is 'Where It Happened', so always make it right, right there.