Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

Appointment

Answer 1

Written authorization to perform Notary acts that is issued by a state’s governor; secretary of state or other empowering official. Called a commission in some states and jurisdictions.

Question 2

Bond, Notary

Answer 2

Written guarantee that money up to a limit will be paid by a surety to a person financially damaged by a Notary’s misconduct in the event the Notary fails to do so.

Question 3

Commission

Answer 3

To authorize to perform Notary acts; written authorization to perform Notary acts that is issues by a state’s governor, secretary of state or other empowering official. Called an appointment in some states and jurisdictions.

Question 4

Discretion

Answer 4

Freedom to act or judge on one’s own, aware and mindful of the consequences .

Question 5

Ethics

Answer 5

Principals of good conduct and professional responsibility; moral values

Question 6

Impartial Witness

Answer 6

Observer without bias; one who has no financial or beneficial interest in the transaction at hand.

Question 7

Judicial Official

Answer 7

Public officer who uses considerable judgement or discretion in the performance of official duties

Question 8

Jurisdiction

Answer 8

Geographic area - a state or county - in which a Notary Public is authorized to perform notarial acts.

Question 9

Ministerial Official

Answer 9

Public officer who follows written rules without having to use significant judgement or discretion. A Notary is a ministerial official.

Question 10

Notarial Acts, Notarizations

Answer 10

Witnessing duties of a Notary that are specified by law. Most often, the Notary’s duties involve signed documents and require the Notary to ensure a signer’s identity and/or to administer an oath or affirmation.

Question 11

Notary Public

Answer 11

Person of proven integrity appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness with duties specified by law. The Notary has the power to witness the signing of documents and to administer oaths.

Question 12

Reasonable Care

Answer 12

Degree of concern and attentiveness that a person of normal intelligence and responsibility would exhibit.

Question 13

Unauthorized Practice of Law

Answer 13

Practice of law by a person who is not a legal professional. Illegal act of a nonattorney in helping another person to draft, prepare, complete, select, or understand a document or transaction.