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New York Notary Public Exam

Legal terms: practice questions

Our New York Notary bank has 13 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

What is a 'lien'?

  1. A legal claim against property as security for a debt
  2. A tax on property sales
  3. A right to cross another person's land to reach a road
  4. A document that transfers ownership
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A. A legal claim against property as security for a debt — Liens can be recorded against real property.

Question 2

What does 'ss.' mean in a venue line?

  1. Sworn statement
  2. State seal
  3. Signed and sealed by the clerk
  4. Scilicet: 'namely' or 'to wit'
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D. Scilicet: 'namely' or 'to wit' — It appears in the venue, e.g. 'County of Albany, ss.'

Question 3

What does 'jurisdiction' mean?

  1. A written statement of facts
  2. The date a commission begins
  3. The geographic area or matters over which an authority may act
  4. The notary's fee schedule
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C. The geographic area or matters over which an authority may act — A New York notary's jurisdiction is the state of New York.

Question 4

What is an administrator?

  1. A person named in a will to carry it out
  2. A notary who supervises others
  3. A person appointed by the court to manage the estate of someone who died without a will
  4. A county clerk's assistant
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C. A person appointed by the court to manage the estate of someone who died without a will — An executor is named in a will.

Question 5

What is a certificate of official character?

  1. A copy of the notary's exam score
  2. A county clerk's certificate confirming a notary's commission and authority
  3. A notary's personal ID card
  4. A court order appointing an executor
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B. A county clerk's certificate confirming a notary's commission and authority — It is used when documents are sent outside the county or state.

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