Maine Notary Public — All Questions

What does a Maine notary certify when taking an acknowledgment?

• a.That the document's contents are true
• b.That the identified individual appeared and acknowledged signing the record voluntarily✓
• c.That the notary approves the transaction
• d.That the document is recorded

An acknowledgment certifies that the signer personally appeared, was identified, and acknowledged executing the record for its stated purpose. It does not certify the truth of the contents (that is a jurat) or the merits of the transaction.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook

What does a Maine jurat require that an acknowledgment does not?

• a.The document must be about real estate
• b.Two notaries must be present
• c.The signer must sign in the notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation as to the truth of the statement✓
• d.The signer must be a Maine resident

A jurat requires the signer to sign in front of the notary and to swear or affirm that the statement is true. An acknowledgment requires neither an oath nor signing in the notary's presence.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook

Which distinctive act are Maine notaries public authorized to perform that notaries in most states are not?

• a.Issue driver's licenses
• b.Grant divorces
• c.Record deeds
• d.Solemnize (perform) marriages✓

Maine is one of a small number of states where a notary public may solemnize marriages. This is a distinctive Maine power; in most states officiating weddings is not among a notary's duties. Maine notaries still cannot issue licenses, grant divorces, or record deeds.Maine Notary Public Handbook (Maine Secretary of State)

A signer asks a Maine notary which notarial certificate a document needs. What should the notary do?

• a.Ask the signer or the receiving agency which act is required, because choosing it is the unauthorized practice of law✓
• b.Choose a jurat automatically
• c.Refuse all service
• d.Complete both certificates to be safe

A non-attorney notary may not decide which notarial act a document needs; that is legal advice. The notary asks the signer, or the agency requiring the document, which act is needed and completes only that certificate.Maine Notary Public Handbook (Maine Secretary of State)

For a standard Maine notarization, when may the notary act without the signer physically present?

• a.When the signer emails the document
• b.Never; personal appearance is required, and remote acts require an approved audio-video platform under Maine's remote notarization rules✓
• c.When a relative confirms the signer by phone
• d.When the notary knows of the signer by reputation

Personal appearance is required for every notarization. Maine authorizes remote notarization only through an approved audio-video platform with identity verification. An email, phone vouch, or reputation does not satisfy the appearance requirement.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook

What must a complete Maine notarial certificate include?

• a.The venue, the date of the act, the notary's signature, and the notary's title and commission expiration date✓
• b.The signer's thumbprint
• c.The notary's date of birth
• d.A legal opinion about the document

A Maine certificate shows the venue (state and county), the date of the act, the notary's signature, and the notary's title with the commission expiration date. Maine does not require a thumbprint, and the notary never includes a legal opinion.Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Maine Notary Public Handbook