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Quiz about Seal of Approval Notaries Public

Seal of Approval: Notaries Public Quiz

It's been referred to as the world's second oldest profession (along with politics and spying) but a Notary Public really does have an illustrious past. How's your notary knowledge?

A multiple-choice quiz by LaLaLoopy. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
LaLaLoopy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
327,914

Updated
Aug 12 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
409

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the state of New Hampshire, John Jones needs the endorsement of two notaries public and one registered voter to do what? Hint

Run for township office

Submit an application to become a notary public

Be excused from serving on a jury

Get married

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Question 2 of 10

2. Many people feel that a 'raised seal' is the only authentic notary seal, but only one state (Alabama) still requires them. Why are 'inked' or 'rubber' seals preferred? Hint

Raised seals often break through the paper, rendering the document invalid

Inked seals are more legible when a document is photocopied

Raised seals are often hard to read

Raised seals do not contain notary information that has been required in the U.S. since the Notary Public Re-organization Act of 2005

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Question 3 of 10

3. With more than 4.5 million registered in 2009, what country has the most notaries public? Hint

Mexico

China

USA

India

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Question 4 of 10

4. What information is NOT required to be on a notary public's embossed or inked seal? Hint

Commission number of the notary

State where notary was commissioned

Expiration date of notary commission

Date of the notarization

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Question 5 of 10

5. In most states of the US, notaries are commissioned and regulated by which governmental department? Hint

Lieutenant Governor

Attorney General

State Treasurer

Secretary of State

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Question 6 of 10

6. In England and Wales, notaries are appointed by what office? Hint

Royal Society of Scriveners

Master of Faculties, attached to the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury

London Commission on Court and Legal Officers

The Member of Parliament representing the district in which the notary resides

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who are the patron saints of notaries? Hint

St. Philomena and St. John Borromeo

St. Mark and St. Luke

St. Bonaventure and St. Rose of Lima

St. Lucy and St. Barbara

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Question 8 of 10

8. In three states --the Alligator State, the Iodine State, and the Old Dirigo State -- notaries may perform marriage ceremonies. Which three states are these? Hint

Florida, South Carolina, Maine

New Hampshire, Utah, Tennessee

Louisiana, Georgia, Iowa

Idaho, Wyoming, Vermont

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which president of the United States was sworn into office by a notary public? Hint

Chester A. Arthur

William McKinley

Andrew Johnson

Calvin Coolidge

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Question 10 of 10

10. Tom Cruise played the role of a notary public.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the state of New Hampshire, John Jones needs the endorsement of two notaries public and one registered voter to do what?

Answer: Submit an application to become a notary public

Not only does John need the endorsements, but he must also be over the age of 18, be a resident of New Hampshire, and have a clean police record. If all requirements are met, John forks over $75 and is a notary for 5 years.

2. Many people feel that a 'raised seal' is the only authentic notary seal, but only one state (Alabama) still requires them. Why are 'inked' or 'rubber' seals preferred?

Answer: Inked seals are more legible when a document is photocopied

Otherwise known as 'embossed seals', the raised seal does not photocopy well. With the increase in fax machines and electronic signature devices, only a inked seal will insure that all required notarial information is legible. The District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands also require an embossed seal.

3. With more than 4.5 million registered in 2009, what country has the most notaries public?

Answer: USA

Although there are more notaries in the U.S., they have significantly fewer powers than notaries in some other countries. In India, for example, notaries serve as arbitrators, while in China they are authorized to give instructions on the preparation of legal documents. Notaries in the U.S. are not even authorized to use the Spanish translation (notario publico) in their advertisements because of the legal powers that notaries have in most Latin American countries.

4. What information is NOT required to be on a notary public's embossed or inked seal?

Answer: Date of the notarization

Notary seals may be round or rectangular, but they all require the following information: name of the notary, title 'Notary Public', state where the notary is commissioned, expiration date of notary commission, and commission number. Some states also require the official State Seal to be displayed.

5. In most states of the US, notaries are commissioned and regulated by which governmental department?

Answer: Secretary of State

In a majority of states, the office of Secretary of State has a section (in California, it's the Notary Public Section of the Business Practices Division) which deals directly with notaries. There are some states (Florida and Oregon are examples) in which the governor appoints notaries, and others (Utah, for example) where the Lt. Governor handles notary commissions.

6. In England and Wales, notaries are appointed by what office?

Answer: Master of Faculties, attached to the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Prior to 1533, notaries in England and Wales were appointed by Papal authority. When Henry VIII broke away from Rome, the Ecclesiastical Licences Act of 1533 transferred the appointment of notaries to the Archbishop.

7. Who are the patron saints of notaries?

Answer: St. Mark and St. Luke

St. Mark wrote the second Gospel of the New Testament during his time in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D. St. Luke, the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, is also the patron saint of artists, brewers, butchers, and doctors.

8. In three states --the Alligator State, the Iodine State, and the Old Dirigo State -- notaries may perform marriage ceremonies. Which three states are these?

Answer: Florida, South Carolina, Maine

Better known as the 'Sunshine', 'Palmetto', and 'Pine Tree' states, these are the only ones still permitting notaries to officiate at marriages. The Parish of West Feliciana in Louisiana also authorizes its notaries to perform marriages.

9. Which president of the United States was sworn into office by a notary public?

Answer: Calvin Coolidge

Vice-President John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (July 4, 1872 - January 5, 1933) received word by messenger of the death of President Warren G. Harding. He was visiting his family in Vermont and took the oath of office by lamplight at 2:47 a.m. from his father, John Calvin, Sr., a Vermont notary and Justice of the Peace. On the following day, Coolidge repeated the oath in the presence of Supreme Court Justice Adolph A. Hoehling in order to insure that his transfer to the office of president was valid.

10. Tom Cruise played the role of a notary public.

Answer: True

In the 2004 thriller, 'Collateral', vicious hitman, Vincent (Tom Cruise), tells amiable cab driver, Max, (Jamie Foxx), that he is a notary public. Other notable movie notaries include Scarlett Johansson in 'Ironman 2.'

Source: Author LaLaLoopy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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