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Connecticut notary rules: acknowledgments

What the Connecticut Notary Public Manual says about acknowledgments, as 38 exam-style questions with the answer and the exact rule.

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1. 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?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:”
2. Under what specific circumstance may an attorney admitted to the bar in Connecticut take an acknowledgment outside the state?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.”
3. What is the short title of the chapter governing the recognition of acknowledgments as stated in Section 1-65?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”.”
4. In the Sample Form of Acknowledgment for an Individual, what specific phrase must appear regarding the identification of the signer?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”
5. Under Section 1-36(1), when is authentication of an acknowledgment NOT necessary?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.”
6. According to Section 1-24(5), who is authorized to administer oaths in the discharge of their official duty?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”
7. Who is authorized to certify the accuracy of corporate information, such as the incumbency of officers, before it is acknowledged by a Connecticut notary?The president, secretary, or another officer of the corporation. Connecticut notaries do not certify corporate facts themselves; instead, a corporate officer must certify the information, which the notary then acknowledges.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 23: “The usual procedure in the United States is for the president, secretary or another officer of a corporation to certify the accuracy of corporate information, including the incumbency of officers.”
8. How should the acknowledgement block be modified for a remote notarization compared to a standard in-person notarization?Replace "personally appeared" with "appeared by means of communication technology.". The handbook instructs notaries to substitute the phrase "personally appeared" with "appeared by means of communication technology" for remote acts.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 27: “Where the standard acknowledgement says “personally appeared” the following should substituted, “appeared by means of communication technology.””
9. Which of the following is an authorized person to take an acknowledgment for an instrument made outside the United States?A consul general of the United States accredited to the country where the acknowledgment is made. The handbook lists specific U.S. diplomatic and consular officials, such as a consul general, who are authorized to take acknowledgments outside the United States.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “The acknowledgment of any instrument may be made without the United States before: (1) An ambassador, minister, charge d'affaires, counselor to or secretary of a legation, consul general, consul, vice-consul, commercial attache, or consular agent of the United States accredited to the country where the acknowledgment is made;”
10. Under Section 1-39, how are acknowledgments taken prior to October 1, 1961, affected by the provisions of this chapter?They are unaffected by anything contained in this chapter. Section 1-39 provides a grandfather clause ensuring that acknowledgments made before the specified date remain unaffected by the new chapter's rules.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 33: “No acknowledgment taken prior to October 1, 1961, shall be affected by anything contained in this chapter.”
11. In the Sample Form of Acknowledgment for a Corporation, what specific detail must the officer acknowledge regarding their authority?being authorized so to do. The corporate acknowledgment form requires the officer to state they are 'being authorized so to do' when executing the document.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 11: “being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained”
12. When a notary performs a notarial act on a document prepared in a language they do not understand, what specific requirement applies to the notarial certificate?The notary should only sign a notarial certificate in a language they can read and understand. The rule specifies that the notary must ensure the certificate itself is in a language they comprehend, regardless of the language of the underlying document.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 24: “When performing a notarial act in connection with documents that he/she cannot understand, he/she should only sign a notarial certificate, (the form of acknowledgment or jurat); in a language he/she can read and understand.”
13. Under the acts of 1833, which specific powers were granted to notaries in Connecticut?Administer oaths, take depositions, and acknowledge deeds. The handbook lists administering oaths, taking depositions, and acknowledging deeds as the powers granted under the acts of 1833.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 5: “Under, chapter XXVII of the acts of 1833, notaries were given the power to administer oaths, take depositions and acknowledge deeds.”
14. Regarding the timing of signatures for an acknowledgment, which statement is accurate?The signer may sign before appearing before the notary, provided the signature date is not later than the notarization date. The handbook distinguishes acknowledgments from jurats by allowing prior signatures, provided the signature date does not exceed the notarization date.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 10: “Unlike a Jurat Certificate where the signer MUST sign in the presence of the notary, an acknowledgement may be signed beforehand, however the date of the signature must never be later than the date of the notarization.”
15. Under Section 1-38, what is the minimum rank required for a commissioned officer in the Navy or Coast Guard to take an acknowledgment for a person serving in the armed forces?Ensign. The handbook specifies 'ensign or higher' as the qualifying rank for Navy and Coast Guard officers, distinct from the Army/Marine/Air Force requirement.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 33: “or ensign or higher in the Navy or Coast Guard”
16. What is the consequence if a notary performs an acknowledgment remotely for a document listed in subsection (i), such as a power of attorney?The acknowledgment is ineffective for any purpose and constitutes a violation. The handbook states that performing these specific acknowledgments remotely renders them ineffective and constitutes a violation.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 43: “The performance of any such acknowledgment in connection with any of the acts described in this subsection shall be ineffective for any purpose and shall constitute a violation of section 51-88.”
17. Which specific role within the Department of Social Services is authorized to witness the execution of an affirmation or acknowledgment of parentage when their assigned duties include doing so?Eligibility workers, specialists and supervisors. Item (25) specifically grants eligibility workers, specialists, and supervisors the authority to witness these specific documents, distinct from the general investigators mentioned in item (20).
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “(25) eligibility workers, specialists and supervisors employed by the Department of Social Services for the sole purpose of witnessing the execution of an affirmation or acknowledgment of parentage when their assigned duties include witnessing such execution.”
18. According to Section 1-59, what two elements must the person taking an acknowledgment certify regarding the signer?That the signer appeared before the notary and acknowledged executing the instrument, and that the signer was known or identified by satisfactory evidence. Section 1-59 requires certification of both the appearance and acknowledgment of execution, as well as the identification of the signer through knowledge or satisfactory evidence.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 34: “The person taking an acknowledgment shall certify that: (1) The person acknowledging appeared before him and acknowledged he executed the instrument; and (2) the person acknowledging was known to the person taking the acknowledgment or that the person taking the acknowledgment had satisfactory evidence that the person acknowledging was the person described in and who executed the instrument.”
19. According to Section 1-38, what is the effect of failing to state the place of execution or acknowledgment in an instrument acknowledged by a person serving in the armed forces?The instrument is not rendered invalid. The law states that omitting the place of execution does not invalidate the instrument for armed forces personnel.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 33: “The instrument shall not be rendered invalid by the failure to state therein the place of execution or acknowledgment.”
20. According to Section 1-34(2), what specific detail must a corporate representative include in the acknowledgment certificate regarding their authority?That they are authorized so to do. The statute requires the representative to state that they are authorized to execute the instrument.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 31: “who acknowledged himself to be the .... of ...., a corporation, and that he, as such ...., being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained”
21. How must an acknowledgment taken outside the United States be authenticated if taken by a notary public or judge?By a certificate under the great seal of state of the country or by a US diplomatic/consular officer. Section 1-36(3) specifies that acknowledgments taken abroad require authentication via the country's great seal or a US diplomatic/consular officer's certificate.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 32: “If the acknowledgment is taken without the United States and by a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record of the country or the clerk of the town where the acknowledgment is taken, the certificate shall be authenticated by a certificate under the great seal of state of the country, affixed by the custodian of such seal, or by a certificate of a diplomatic, consular or commercial officer of the United States accredited to that country, certifying as to the official character of such officer.”
22. When taking an acknowledgment, what is the primary requirement for the officer regarding the identity of the person making the acknowledgment?The officer must know or have satisfactory evidence that the person is the one described in and who executed the instrument. The law mandates that the officer must either personally know the signer or have satisfactory evidence confirming the signer's identity matches the instrument.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “The officer taking the acknowledgment shall know or have satisfactory evidence that the person making the acknowledgment is the person described in and who executed the instrument.”
23. Under the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgement Act, which of the following individuals is authorized to perform notarial acts outside the state for use within the state?A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of any court of record in the place where the act is performed. The handbook specifically lists judges, clerks, and deputy clerks of courts of record as authorized persons, whereas the other options are either too broad or not mentioned in the handbook.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 33: “(2) a judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of any court of record in the place in which the notarial act is performed;”
24. When completing an acknowledgment certificate for a corporation, what specific information must be included regarding the entity's organization?The state or place of incorporation. The template for corporate acknowledgments requires the inclusion of the state or place of incorporation within the certificate wording.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 35: “by (name of officer or agent, title of officer or agent) of (name of corporation acknowledging) a (state or place of incorporation) corporation, on behalf of the corporation.”
25. According to the Uniform Acknowledgement Act, which of the following individuals is authorized to take an acknowledgment of an instrument within the state?A notary public. The handbook lists specific officials authorized to take acknowledgments within the state, including a notary public among them.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “The acknowledgment of any instrument may be made in this state before: (1) A judge of a court of record or a family support magistrate; (2) a clerk or deputy clerk of a court having a seal; (3) a town clerk; (4) a notary public; (5) a justice of the peace; or (6) an attorney admitted to the bar of this state.”
26. Under Section 1-34(5), what distinction must be made when identifying a Limited Liability Company in the acknowledgment certificate?Whether the LLC is member managed or manager managed. The form specifically requires the notary to specify if the LLC is member managed or manager managed.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 31: “who acknowledged himself to be the .... of ...., a (member managed or manager managed) limited liability company”
27. Where must a Connecticut notary be physically located when performing a remote notarization?The notary must be located within the state of Connecticut. The handbook clarifies that if a Connecticut notary is physically outside the state, the laws of the location where they are situated govern the act, implying the notary should generally be within Connecticut to apply Connecticut law directly.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 27: “Yes, under section 1-57 of the General Statutes a notarial act performed outside of this state will be granted the same effect as a notarial act performed within the state only if notarized by “[a] notary public authorized to perform notarial acts in the place in which the act is performed.” Further, an out of state acknowledgement will only be recognized if “the certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations applicable in the place in which the acknowledgment is taken.” Section 1-60 of the General Statutes. If a Connecticut notary is physically located outside of the state, the laws of that state govern, not Connecticut.”
28. According to Section 1-36(2), who may authenticate an acknowledgment taken by a notary public outside Connecticut but within the United States?A clerk of a court of record of the county, parish or district, or the clerk of the town. The law specifies that a clerk of a court of record or the clerk of the town is responsible for authenticating the notary's official character in this scenario.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 32: “if the acknowledgment is taken by a notary public, or any other person authorized to take acknowledgments, by a clerk of a court of record of the county, parish or district, or the clerk of the town, in which the acknowledgment is taken.”
29. According to Section 1-30, which of the following is authorized to take an acknowledgment of an instrument made outside the state but within the United States?A commissioner of deeds. Section 1-30 lists a commissioner of deeds as an authorized person for acknowledgments made within the United States but outside the state, whereas the other options refer to authorities for acknowledgments made outside the United States (Section 1-31).
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 30: “The acknowledgment of any instrument may be made without the state but within the United States or a territory or insular possession of the United States and within the jurisdiction of the officer, before: (1) A clerk or deputy clerk of any federal court; (2) a clerk or deputy clerk of any court of record of any state or other jurisdiction; (3) a notary public; (4) a commissioner of deeds; (5) any person authorized by the laws of such other jurisdiction to take acknowledgments; (6) any attorney admitted to the bar in this state as provided in section 1-31a.”
30. Under Section 1-60, which of the following is a valid reason for accepting a certificate of acknowledgment form in Connecticut?The certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations applicable in the place in which the acknowledgment is taken. The handbook lists forms prescribed by the laws applicable in the place where the acknowledgment is taken as an acceptable format.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 34: “The form of a certificate of acknowledgment used by a person whose authority is recognized under section 1-57 shall be accepted in this state if: (1) The certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations of this state; (2) the certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations applicable in the place in which the acknowledgment is taken; or (3) the certificate contains the words “acknowledged before me”, or their substantial equivalent.”
31. Which of the following documents is listed in subsection (i) as eligible for remote acknowledgment?A living will. The handbook specifically enumerates a living will among the documents permitted for remote acknowledgment, while the other options are not listed in the handbook.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 43: “(5) the execution of a living will, as defined in section 19a570,”
32. According to Section 1-33, how should the acknowledgment of a married woman be handled?It may be made in the same form as though she were unmarried. The statute states that married women use the same acknowledgment form as unmarried individuals.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 31: “An acknowledgment of a married woman may be made in the same form as though she were unmarried.”
33. According to Section 1-38, what is the minimum rank required for a commissioned officer in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps to take an acknowledgment for a person serving in the armed forces?Second lieutenant. The statute sets the minimum rank threshold for Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps officers at second lieutenant.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 33: “persons serving in or with the armed forces of the United States or their dependents, wherever located, may acknowledge the same before any commissioned officer in active service of the armed forces of the United States with the rank of second lieutenant or higher in the Army, Air Force or Marine Corps”
34. What does the phrase "acknowledged before me" signify regarding the signer's identity according to Section 1-61(4)?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.”
35. Which of the following is required to complete the certificate of an acknowledging officer according to Section 1-35?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.”
36. What is the primary emphasis when taking an acknowledgment, as distinguished from a jurat?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.”
37. If a document requiring an acknowledgment does not include the appropriate form in its text, what action is the notary permitted to take?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.”
38. How does Section 1-62 characterize the 'Statutory Short Forms of Acknowledgment'?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.”

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