25 questions from the Connecticut Notary Public Manual. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Who must be notified by the Secretary of the State's Office if a notary's commission is suspended or revoked?
Answer: The town clerk of each town in the state. The handbook states that the notification requirement upon suspension or revocation is directed to the town clerks of each town.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 24: “In the event that a notary's commission is either suspended or revoked, the town clerk of each town in the state will be notified by the Secretary of the State's Office.”
2. What is the term length for a notary public appointment in Connecticut?
Answer: Five years. The handbook states that the appointment term is for a duration of five years.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 7: “Each notary public is appointed by the Secretary of the State for a term of five years, beginning on the date of appointment and ending in the anniversary month five years later.”
3. When a commissioned officer takes an acknowledgment for a person serving in the armed forces, what is required regarding the authentication of the officer's certificate?
Answer: No authentication of the officer's certificate of acknowledgment shall be required. The handbook states that no authentication is required for the officer's certificate, distinguishing this process from standard civilian notarial requirements.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 33: “No authentication of the officer's certificate of acknowledgment shall be required but the officer taking the acknowledgment shall endorse thereon or attach thereto a certificate substantially in the following form:”
4. According to Section 1-23, what specific phrase replaces "so help you God" when administering a solemn affirmation instead of an oath?
Answer: "upon the pains and penalties of perjury or false statement". The statute mandates the use of the phrase "upon the pains and penalties of perjury or false statement" as the closing phrase for affirmations.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 29: “instead of the words “so help you God” the words “upon the pains and penalties of perjury or false statement” shall be used”
5. Under what specific circumstance may an attorney admitted to the bar in Connecticut take an acknowledgment outside the state?
Answer: For any instrument pertaining to real property located in Connecticut or a power of attorney. The handbook specifies that attorneys admitted to the Connecticut bar can take acknowledgments outside the state specifically for real property instruments located in Connecticut or powers of attorney.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “An acknowledgment of any instrument pertaining to real property located in this state or a power of attorney may be made outside the state before an attorney admitted to the bar in this state.”
6. What is the short title of the chapter governing the recognition of acknowledgments as stated in Section 1-65?
Answer: The Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act. Section 1-65 states that the chapter may be cited as the 'Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act'.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 36: “Sec. 1-65. Short title: Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act. This chapter may be cited as the “Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act”.”
7. Which entity holds the authority to appoint a notary public in Connecticut?
Answer: The Secretary of the State. The handbook states clearly that the appointment power is vested in the Secretary of the State by state law.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 5: “The notary public is a public official appointed by the Secretary of the State through the power vested in the secretary by state law.”
8. Which of the following is a correct requirement for a notary's signature on a notarial certificate?
Answer: The signature must be the original signature of the notary signed exactly as the name appears on the notary’s certificate of appointment. The handbook mandates that the signature be original and match the name on the official certificate of appointment exactly.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 25: “In any circumstance when the notary signature is required, it must be the original signature of the notary signed exactly as the name appears on the notary’s certificate of appointment.”
9. In the Sample Form of Acknowledgment for an Individual, what specific phrase must appear regarding the identification of the signer?
Answer: known to me (or satisfactorily proven). The handbook mandates the phrase 'known to me (or satisfactorily proven)' in the individual acknowledgment form.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 11: “personally appeared (name of individual or individuals), known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument”
10. What action must a notary take if their seal or stamp is lost or stolen?
Answer: Notify both the local police and the Office of the Secretary of the State. The handbook mandates notifying both the police and the Secretary's office to record the loss and protect the notary.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 19: “If a notary seal or stamp is lost or stolen, the notary should notify both the local police and the Office of the Secretary of the State.”
11. Which additional information is recommended for the notary journal specifically for remote notarizations?
Answer: The location of the signer and the method used to meet. The handbook advises recording the signer's location and the meeting method in addition to standard journal entries for remote notarizations.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 22: “In addition to the information that a notary would journal for an in-person notarization, we recommend recording the location of the signer, the method that was used to meet with the signer and whether a recording of the video was retained.”
12. What is the required timeframe for a Connecticut notary public to report a change of name or residence address to the Office of the Secretary of the State?
Answer: Within 30 days. The handbook states that notaries must report name or address changes within thirty days.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 8: “All notaries appointed under Connecticut law who change either their name or residence address are required to report that change to the Office of the Secretary of the State within thirty (30) days.”
13. If a question of an individual's competence arises during a notarization, who may the notary consult?
Answer: that person's physician or attorney. The handbook states that the notary may consult the signer's physician or attorney if competence is in question.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 12: “If a question of an individual's competence arises, the notary may consult that person's physician or attorney.”
14. Under Section 1-36(1), when is authentication of an acknowledgment NOT necessary?
Answer: When the acknowledgment is taken within the state or by a US officer outside the US. Authentication is waived if the acknowledgment occurs within the state or is performed by a US officer abroad.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 32: “If the acknowledgment is taken within this state or is made without the United States by an officer of the United States no authentication shall be necessary.”
15. According to subsection (h), which of the following is a specific factor the Secretary of the State must consider prior to adopting or amending regulations governing remote notarial acts?
Answer: The views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons. The handbook lists the views of governmental officials and interested persons as a mandatory consideration factor for the Secretary of State.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 43: “The views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons.”
16. According to Section 1-24(5), who is authorized to administer oaths in the discharge of their official duty?
Answer: Commissioners appointed by governors of other states to take the acknowledgment of deeds. The statute specifically grants this authority to commissioners appointed by other state governors for taking deed acknowledgments.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 29: “commissioners appointed by governors of other states to take the acknowledgment of deeds, in the discharge of their official duty”
17. Who has the authority to issue subpoenas on behalf of pro se clients according to the handbook?
Answer: Court clerks. The handbook specifically assigns the authority to issue subpoenas for pro se clients to court clerks, advising notaries to refer individuals to them.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 16: “Court clerks have the authority to issue subpoenas on behalf of pro se clients.”
18. Which fourth method of identity verification is available exclusively for remote notarizations in Connecticut?
Answer: 3rd party identification verification system. The handbook lists personal knowledge and government ID as methods shared with in-person notarizations, but identifies the '3rd party identification verification system' as the fourth option added specifically for remote notarizations.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 21: “For remote notarizations, the notary public is provided with three methods authorized for in-person notarizations and adds a fourth option – 3rd party identification verification system – that is available only for remote notarizations.”
19. What is the stated purpose of the chapter regarding its interpretation in relation to other states, as found in Section 1-64?
Answer: It shall be interpreted to make uniform the laws of those states which enact it. Section 1-64 mandates that the chapter be interpreted to ensure uniformity among states that adopt the act.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 36: “This chapter shall be so interpreted as to make uniform the laws of those states which enact it.”
20. What is the required physical action for the person taking the oath during the ceremony?
Answer: The person must raise their right hand. The handbook specifies that holding up the right hand is the required gesture for the person taking the oath.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 15: “The person taking the oath holds up his right hand and the notary administers the applicable oath.”
21. In which of the following situations are sworn law enforcement officers appointed under section 26-5 within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection authorized to perform notarial acts?
Answer: In all affidavits, statements, depositions, complaints or reports made to or by any such sworn law enforcement officer. Item (23) defines the scope of authority for these specific law enforcement officers as covering affidavits, statements, depositions, complaints, or reports made to or by them.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “(23) sworn law enforcement officers, appointed under section 26-5, within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in all affidavits, statements, depositions, complaints or reports made to or by any such sworn law enforcement officer;”
22. According to Connecticut law, if a signer is not personally known to the notary, what specific combination of identification documents must the signer provide?
Answer: At least two forms of identification containing the individual's signature, at least one of which also contains the photograph of the signer or a physical description. The handbook mandates two signed IDs, with at least one containing a photo or physical description, while excluding social security cards and birth certificates.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 12: “Connecticut law (see Section 3-94a (9) of the Connecticut General Statutes in Appendix B) requires that the signer provide the notary with at least two forms of identification containing the individual's signature, at least one of which also contains the photograph of the signer, or a physical description.”
23. What does the abbreviation "ss." in the venue of a notarial certificate signify?
Answer: The exact location where the act was performed. The handbook defines "ss." as indicating the specific geographic location of the notarial act.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 26: “The ss., is an abbreviation of the Latin word “scilicet,” meaning “namely,” or more particularly the exact location or the designated particular place within a city and/or county where the official notarial act was performed.”
24. Who is authorized to administer the oath of office to a newly appointed notary?
Answer: Any person authorized to administer an oath under section 1-24 of the General Statutes. The handbook clarifies that while town clerks are common, any person authorized under section 1-24 can administer the oath.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 7: “While most notaries swear this oath before a town clerk, the oath may be administered by any person authorized to administer an oath under section 1-24 of the General Statutes.”
25. Under Section 1-58(c), who provides sufficient proof of authority if the notarial act is performed by a person not described in subsections (a) or (b)?
Answer: The clerk of a court of record in the place in which the notarial act is performed. Section 1-58(c) specifies that the clerk of a court of record in the location of the act is the authority who certifies the official character and authority of such persons.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 34: “If the notarial act is performed by a person other than one described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, there is sufficient proof of the authority of that person to act if the clerk of a court of record in the place in which the notarial act is performed certifies to the official character of that person and to his authority to perform the notarial act.”