California Notary Public ExamNotary Public Duties and AuthorityMedium
A Notary Public is presented with a document for a jurat. The signer has already signed the document, and the Notary has satisfactorily identified the signer. What is the next mandatory step for the Notary Public to complete this notarial act?
- AAffix the Notary seal and complete the journal entry.
- BConfirm the date of the signature on the document.
- CAdminister an oath or affirmation to the signer.
- DAsk the signer if they understand the contents of the document.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Administer an oath or affirmation to the signer.
For a jurat, after identifying the signer, the Notary Public's next crucial step is to administer an oath or affirmation. This is the core component of a jurat, where the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of the document's contents.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Affixing the seal and journal entry come after the oath and completion of the certificate.
- B. Confirming the signature date is not a mandatory step for the Notary in a jurat, as the oath is the primary focus.
- D. While understanding is important, administering the oath is the specific mandatory step for a jurat.
Jurat Oath/Affirmation
The central component of a jurat where the Notary Public administers a solemn oath or affirmation to the signer, attesting to the truthfulness of the statements made in the document.
- Must be administered verbally by the Notary.
- Signer must respond affirmatively.
- Establishes the signer's personal responsibility for the document's contents.
Memory trick: Jurat: 'Just Under oath, Right away, Affirm truth'.