UTAH NOTARY STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔What should a notary check regarding the venue in a notarial certificate? - ✔✔The
venue should reflect the location where the document is being notarized; if incorrect, it
must be changed and initialed before notarizing.
✔✔What should a notary do if the date on the certificate is incorrect? - ✔✔Strike
through the incorrect date, write in the correct date, and initial the change before
notarizing.
✔✔What key words should a notary look for in a document to determine the type of
notarization needed? - ✔✔The key words are 'acknowledged' or 'sworn/affirmed.'
✔✔What is required for a signer's personal appearance during notarization? - ✔✔The
individual requesting notarization must appear in person at the time of notarization.
✔✔What should a notary do if they suspect a signer is being coerced? - ✔✔It is best to
refuse to notarize the document.
✔✔What must a notary verify regarding a signer's identity? - ✔✔The notary must have
satisfactory evidence that the signer is the individual whose signature is on the
document.
✔✔What should a notary record in their journal? - ✔✔All pertinent information related to
the notarization, including refusals, should be recorded.
✔✔What must be included in the acknowledgment certificate or jurat? - ✔✔They must
contain the notarial wording required by law and be completed with the subscriber's
name, date, and other necessary information.
✔✔What is the notary's responsibility regarding the contents of the document? - ✔✔The
notary is not responsible for the contents but must ensure the signer understands the
document's significance.
✔✔What should a notary do if a signer is blind or illiterate? - ✔✔The notary should read
the document to the signer.
✔✔What is the first step a signer must take before a notary? - ✔✔The signer must
personally appear before the notary.
✔✔What must a notary confirm before notarizing a document? - ✔✔The identity of the
signer.
, ✔✔What is recorded in the notary journal? - ✔✔The notarization and all relevant
information.
✔✔What is the purpose of an acknowledgment? - ✔✔To confirm that the signer
personally appeared and acknowledged their signature.
✔✔What wording identifies an acknowledgment? - ✔✔The wording 'personally
appeared.'
✔✔What three facts does a notary certify in an acknowledgment? - ✔✔1. The signer
personally appeared. 2. The signer was positively identified. 3. The signer
acknowledged their signature was freely made.
✔✔Is a notary required to witness the signing of a document? - ✔✔No, the document
can be signed prior to notarization.
✔✔What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation? - ✔✔An oath is a
promise to a supreme being, while an affirmation is a promise on personal honor.
✔✔What must occur for an oath or affirmation to be valid? - ✔✔The individual must
swear or affirm in the physical presence of the notary.
✔✔What is a jurat? - ✔✔A verification that certifies a signer has voluntarily signed a
document and taken an oath or affirmation.
✔✔What wording identifies a jurat? - ✔✔The wording 'subscribed and sworn to or
affirmed.'
✔✔What are the three things a notary certifies in a jurat? - ✔✔1. The signer personally
appeared. 2. The notary witnessed the signing. 3. The notary administered an oath or
affirmation.
✔✔What is required for a verification on oath or affirmation? - ✔✔The individual must
personally appear and the notary must have satisfactory evidence of their identity.
✔✔Can a person take an oath or affirmation on behalf of another? - ✔✔No, no one may
take an oath or affirmation on behalf of another person.
✔✔What should a notary do if the signer is mute? - ✔✔The signer may use written
notes to communicate.
✔✔What is the notary's responsibility regarding the date on the notarial certificate? -
✔✔The notary should never complete a certificate with a date other than the date of the
notarization.
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔What should a notary check regarding the venue in a notarial certificate? - ✔✔The
venue should reflect the location where the document is being notarized; if incorrect, it
must be changed and initialed before notarizing.
✔✔What should a notary do if the date on the certificate is incorrect? - ✔✔Strike
through the incorrect date, write in the correct date, and initial the change before
notarizing.
✔✔What key words should a notary look for in a document to determine the type of
notarization needed? - ✔✔The key words are 'acknowledged' or 'sworn/affirmed.'
✔✔What is required for a signer's personal appearance during notarization? - ✔✔The
individual requesting notarization must appear in person at the time of notarization.
✔✔What should a notary do if they suspect a signer is being coerced? - ✔✔It is best to
refuse to notarize the document.
✔✔What must a notary verify regarding a signer's identity? - ✔✔The notary must have
satisfactory evidence that the signer is the individual whose signature is on the
document.
✔✔What should a notary record in their journal? - ✔✔All pertinent information related to
the notarization, including refusals, should be recorded.
✔✔What must be included in the acknowledgment certificate or jurat? - ✔✔They must
contain the notarial wording required by law and be completed with the subscriber's
name, date, and other necessary information.
✔✔What is the notary's responsibility regarding the contents of the document? - ✔✔The
notary is not responsible for the contents but must ensure the signer understands the
document's significance.
✔✔What should a notary do if a signer is blind or illiterate? - ✔✔The notary should read
the document to the signer.
✔✔What is the first step a signer must take before a notary? - ✔✔The signer must
personally appear before the notary.
✔✔What must a notary confirm before notarizing a document? - ✔✔The identity of the
signer.
, ✔✔What is recorded in the notary journal? - ✔✔The notarization and all relevant
information.
✔✔What is the purpose of an acknowledgment? - ✔✔To confirm that the signer
personally appeared and acknowledged their signature.
✔✔What wording identifies an acknowledgment? - ✔✔The wording 'personally
appeared.'
✔✔What three facts does a notary certify in an acknowledgment? - ✔✔1. The signer
personally appeared. 2. The signer was positively identified. 3. The signer
acknowledged their signature was freely made.
✔✔Is a notary required to witness the signing of a document? - ✔✔No, the document
can be signed prior to notarization.
✔✔What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation? - ✔✔An oath is a
promise to a supreme being, while an affirmation is a promise on personal honor.
✔✔What must occur for an oath or affirmation to be valid? - ✔✔The individual must
swear or affirm in the physical presence of the notary.
✔✔What is a jurat? - ✔✔A verification that certifies a signer has voluntarily signed a
document and taken an oath or affirmation.
✔✔What wording identifies a jurat? - ✔✔The wording 'subscribed and sworn to or
affirmed.'
✔✔What are the three things a notary certifies in a jurat? - ✔✔1. The signer personally
appeared. 2. The notary witnessed the signing. 3. The notary administered an oath or
affirmation.
✔✔What is required for a verification on oath or affirmation? - ✔✔The individual must
personally appear and the notary must have satisfactory evidence of their identity.
✔✔Can a person take an oath or affirmation on behalf of another? - ✔✔No, no one may
take an oath or affirmation on behalf of another person.
✔✔What should a notary do if the signer is mute? - ✔✔The signer may use written
notes to communicate.
✔✔What is the notary's responsibility regarding the date on the notarial certificate? -
✔✔The notary should never complete a certificate with a date other than the date of the
notarization.
