29 questions from the Connecticut Notary Public Manual. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When must the date and time of a remote notarization be recorded?
Answer: When the notary witnesses the signature being performed by means of communication technology. The statute defines the timestamp specifically as the moment the notary visually witnesses the signing via technology, not when the physical document is processed later.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 42: “The date and time of a notarization conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be the date and time when the notary witnessed the signature being performed by means of communication technology.”
2. What specific elements must be included in the format of a Connecticut notary seal?
Answer: The notary's name, the words 'Notary Public', and 'Connecticut'. The handbook lists exactly three required elements for the seal format: the name, 'Notary Public', and 'Connecticut'.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 19: “The notary seal must include the notary's name as it appears on their certificate of appointment, the words "Notary Public" and "Connecticut" as shown in Fig. 1.”
3. Under what circumstances may a Connecticut notary properly refuse to perform a notarial act?
Answer: If the notary seriously questions the identity or competence of the signer, or if the instrument is blank, contains a false statement, or is intended to deceive. The handbook lists specific conditions regarding identity, competence, blank forms, false statements, or fraud as valid reasons for refusal.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 26: “However, if the notary seriously questions the identity or competence of the signer, or if the instrument in question is blank, contains a false statement, or is intended to deceive or defraud, the notary may and should refuse to perform the notarial act.”
4. When certifying a copy of a document, where does the notary place their signature?
Answer: On the statement about the truth and accuracy of the document. The instructions clarify that the signature belongs on the certification statement itself, rather than directly on the document being copied.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 16: “The notary signature goes on the statement not the document.”
5. Under what condition should a notary perform a notarial act in connection with a will?
Answer: Only if the instrument specifically provides for such act. The handbook states that a notary should perform the act only if the instrument itself specifically provides for it, otherwise they should refer the person to an attorney.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 21: “A notary should only perform a notarial act in connection with a will if the instrument specifically provides for such act.”
6. Which types of documents are excluded from serving as satisfactory proof of identification in Connecticut?
Answer: Social security cards or birth certificates. The handbook specifically lists social security cards and birth certificates as documents that are not acceptable forms of identification.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 12: “Remember a social security card or birth certificates are not to be used as a form of identification.”
7. What additional information must a notary public include on their certificate according to Section 1-35?
Answer: The date their commission expires. Section 1-35 lists the expiration date of the commission as a required element for notaries public.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 32: “if he is a notary public, the date his commission expires.”
8. Under what condition is a notary disqualified from performing a notarial act?
Answer: If the notary is a signatory of the document to be notarized. The handbook specifies that being a signatory disqualifies the notary, whereas merely witnessing does not.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 20: “A notary is disqualified from performing a notarial act if the notary is a signatory of the document to be notarized.”
9. What does the phrase "acknowledged before me" signify regarding the signer's identity according to Section 1-61(4)?
Answer: The person taking the acknowledgment either knew or had satisfactory evidence that the person acknowledging was the person named in the instrument. The definition of "acknowledged before me" includes the requirement that the notary knew the signer or had satisfactory evidence of their identity.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 34: “that the person taking the acknowledgment either knew or had satisfactory evidence that the person acknowledging was the person named in the instrument or certificate.”
10. What is the consequence if an applicant leaves their application in 'pending' status for more than 90 days?
Answer: The application results in a failure and the fee is forfeited. The handbook states that exceeding the 90-day pending limit leads to application failure and forfeiture of the fee.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 6: “An application left pending by the applicant in the system for greater than 90 days will result in a failure and the application and fee will be forfeited.”
11. Which of the following is required to complete the certificate of an acknowledging officer according to Section 1-35?
Answer: The date the officer's commission expires if they are a notary public. Section 1-35 lists the specific elements required to complete the certificate, including the commission expiration date for notaries.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 32: “The certificate of the acknowledging officer shall be completed by his signature, his official seal if he has one, the title of his office and, if he is a notary public, the date his commission expires.”
12. Regarding the notary seal in Connecticut, what option does state law provide concerning the commission expiration date?
Answer: The expiration date is optional on the seal itself. The handbook states that including the commission expiration date on the seal itself is optional, allowing notaries to choose whether to include it.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 19: “State law does give the notary the option of having the words "My Commission Expires (commission expiration date)" appear on the seal.”
13. Under Connecticut law, which of the following is a required component of the application for appointment as a notary public?
Answer: A recommendation from an individual who has personally known the applicant for at least one year and is not legally related to the applicant. The handbook mandates a recommendation from a non-relative who has known the applicant for at least one year, distinguishing this from general professional or familial references.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 37: “The application shall be accompanied by (A) a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred twenty dollars, and (B) the recommendation of an individual who has personally known the applicant for at least one year and is not legally related to the applicant.”
14. Which group is listed in Section 1-24(15) as authorized to administer oaths in the performance of their assigned duties?
Answer: Investigators, deputy investigators, investigative aides, secretaries, clerical assistants, social workers, social worker trainees, paralegals and certified legal interns employed by or assigned to the Public Defender Services Commission. Section 1-24(15) lists specific roles within the Public Defender Services Commission as authorized oath administrators.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 29: “Investigators, deputy investigators, investigative aides, secretaries, clerical assistants, social workers, social worker trainees, paralegals and certified legal interns employed by or assigned to the Public Defender Services Commission in the performance of their assigned duties”
15. Is a notary in Connecticut required to keep a recording of every remote notarization?
Answer: No, keeping a recording is not required by law, though it is recommended. The handbook distinguishes between a legal requirement and a recommendation, stating clearly that the law does not mandate keeping a recording, although it is strongly advised.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 27: “No, unlike in other states, the Connecticut law does not require the notary to keep a recording. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that the notary keep a recording of every remote notarization conducted for at least 10 years.”
16. What is the required action for the remotely located individual after signing the record during a remote notarization?
Answer: Mail or otherwise cause to be delivered the signed original copy of the record to the notary public. The statute mandates that the physical original signed copy be delivered to the notary for final certification and sealing.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 42: “Once the record notarized pursuant to subsection (b) of this section is signed by the individual in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section, the individual shall mail or otherwise cause to be delivered the signed original copy of the record to the notary public for certification and execution with the notary's commission signature and official stamp or seal.”
17. Under what specific circumstance is a notary public disqualified from performing a notarial act?
Answer: If the notary is a signatory of the document being notarized. The statute states that being a signatory of the document itself disqualifies the notary from performing the act.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 39: “A notary public is disqualified from performing a notarial act if the notary is a signatory of the document that is to be notarized.”
18. Where is a Connecticut notary public authorized to perform notarial acts?
Answer: Anywhere within the state of Connecticut. The handbook limits the notary's authority strictly to locations within the State of Connecticut.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 26: “They may perform notarial acts anywhere within the state, but at no time can they perform such acts outside of the state.”
19. What is the primary emphasis when taking an acknowledgment, as distinguished from a jurat?
Answer: The fact that the act is the free act and deed of the signer and the verification of identity. The handbook defines the specific focus of an acknowledgment as verifying the voluntary nature of the act and the signer's identity.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 15: “When you take an acknowledgment, the emphasis is upon the fact that the act is the free act and deed of the signer and the verification of his/her identity.”
20. When must a notary public appointed under section 3-94e resign their commission upon terminating employment with the state police?
Answer: Immediately, effective on the date of termination. The rule specifies that resignation must be immediate and effective on the exact date employment ends.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 39: “Upon terminating employment with the state police, a notary public appointed under this section shall immediately resign as a notary public, in writing. Such resignation shall be effective on the date of such termination of employment.”
21. If a person requires assistance in preparing legal documents or determining a course of action in a legal transaction, what should the notary advise them to do?
Answer: Consult an attorney. The handbook instructs notaries to advise individuals needing legal preparation or advice to consult an attorney, as notaries lack the authority to do so themselves.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 5: “Any person who is in need of such assistance should be advised to consult an attorney.”
22. Which title is a notary public prohibited from using unless they are admitted as an attorney or provide specific written notice?
Answer: Notario. The law specifically restricts the use of the titles 'notario' or 'notario publico' for non-attorneys unless specific disclosures are made.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 41: “A notary public shall not assume, use or advertise the title of notario or notario publico, unless such notary public (1) has been admitted as an attorney under the provisions of section 51-80, or (2) indicates in any advertisement or otherwise provides written notice that such notary public is not licensed as an attorney in this state.”
23. What is the maximum base fee a Connecticut notary public may charge for a notarial act effective July 1, 2026?
Answer: $10.00. The handbook sets the maximum base fee at ten dollars, excluding mileage.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 25: “Effective July 1, 2026, the fee for any act performed by a notary public, in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes, shall not exceed ten dollars ($10.00) plus an additional rate for each mile of travel not exceeding the business standard mileage rate determined by the Internal Revenue Service.”
24. What action is a notary required to take regarding their official notarial seal upon the resignation, revocation, lapse, or expiration of their appointment?
Answer: Immediately destroy the seal. The statute mandates immediate destruction of the seal upon the end of the appointment, rather than surrendering or storing it.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 39: “A notary shall immediately destroy the notary's notarial seal upon resigning as a notary or upon the revocation, lapse or expiration of such person's appointment as a notary.”
25. Under what specific condition is an employer liable to a notary for damages resulting from dismissal or demotion?
Answer: When the notary refuses to commit official misconduct. The handbook specifies that employer liability for dismissal or demotion arises when these actions result from the notary's refusal to engage in misconduct.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 24: “The employer is also liable to the notary for damages caused by dismissal, demotion, or other action taken against the notary resulting from the notary's refusal to commit official misconduct.”
26. If a document requiring an acknowledgment does not include the appropriate form in its text, what action is the notary permitted to take?
Answer: The notary may attach and complete an acknowledgment form on the document. The handbook allows the notary to attach a completed acknowledgment form if the document itself lacks the necessary certificate wording.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 10: “If there is no such form, the notary may attach and complete an acknowledgment form on the document.”
27. Who is responsible for destroying the official notarial seal after the death of a notary public?
Answer: The notary's personal representative. The statute assigns the duty of destroying the seal and notifying the Secretary to the deceased notary's personal representative.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 40: “As soon as possible after the death of a notary public, the notary's personal representative shall destroy the notary's official notarial seal, if any, and file a signed, written notice, with the Secretary of the State, indicating that the notary public has died and the date of death.”
28. How does Section 1-62 characterize the 'Statutory Short Forms of Acknowledgment'?
Answer: They are optional and do not preclude the use of other forms. Section 1-62 states that while the statutory short forms are sufficient, their use does not exclude the possibility of using other forms.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 34: “The authorization of the forms in this section does not preclude the use of other forms.”
29. What is the proper procedure for certifying copies of public records, such as birth certificates or court judgments, in Connecticut?
Answer: The notary certifies the copy only when the authority having custody of records confirms that they are true and accurate copies of the original. The handbook specifies that certification of public record copies depends on confirmation from the custodial authority, not just the notary's inspection.
Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 25: “Copies of public records can only be certified when the authority having custody of records confirms that they are true and accurate copies of the original.”