California Notary Public ExamAcknowledgments and Proofs of ExecutionMedium
A Notary Public is presented with a document for an acknowledgment. The pre-printed acknowledgment certificate is missing the required phrase 'personally appeared.' Instead, it reads 'On this [date] before me, [Notary name], Notary Public, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument.' What is the Notary's appropriate action?
- AAttach a separate, correct acknowledgment certificate to the document.
- BStrike through the incorrect wording and write in the statutory wording, including 'personally appeared'.
- CComplete the certificate as is, as the meaning is implied.
- DRefuse the notarization until a new document with the correct certificate is provided.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Strike through the incorrect wording and write in the statutory wording, including 'personally appeared'.
California Notaries must use the exact statutory wording for acknowledgment certificates. If the pre-printed wording is missing a required phrase like 'personally appeared,' the Notary must correct it by striking out the incorrect text and writing in the proper wording.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Attaching a separate certificate is an option if there's insufficient space for correction on the original, but direct correction is preferred and often possible.
- C. Implied meaning is not sufficient; exact statutory wording is required.
- D. Refusal is unnecessary; the Notary is authorized and required to correct the certificate.
Acknowledgment Certificate Wording
California Notaries must use the exact statutory wording for acknowledgment certificates. Any deviation or omission of required phrases must be corrected by the Notary.
- Exact wording is mandatory.
- Missing phrases must be added.
- Notary corrects errors directly on certificate.
Memory trick: Wording must be precise; if it's missing, write it in, don't just wing it.