Notary Signing Agent (Loan Signing) Practice Test
Identification and signers: practice questions
Our Notary signing agent bank has 25 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Which certificate wording fits an acknowledgment by a trustee signing for a trust?
- Acknowledged by (name) individually
- Acknowledged by (name) as trustee of (name of trust)
- Signed and sworn to by (name)
- I certify this is a true copy of the trust record in my possession
Show the answer
B. Acknowledged by (name) as trustee of (name of trust) — RULONA §16(2): representative-capacity acknowledgments state the type of authority and the party on whose behalf the record was signed.
Question 2
A borrower has no acceptable ID. What may RULONA allow instead?
- The loan officer's email confirming identity
- The oath of a credible witness the notary knows or can identify
- A photo of an ID on the borrower's phone, emailed to the notary
- A signed statement by the borrower's spouse sent by email
Show the answer
B. The oath of a credible witness the notary knows or can identify — RULONA §7(b)(2): a credible witness personally appearing before the officer, known to the officer or identified by ID, may vouch on oath or affirmation.
Question 3
A borrower cannot physically sign. Under RULONA, what is allowed?
- The notary signs the borrower's name
- The documents must be postponed until the borrower can sign
- The borrower may direct someone other than the notary to sign for them
- Any signature by another person makes the act invalid
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C. The borrower may direct someone other than the notary to sign for them — RULONA §9: the individual may direct someone other than the notarial officer to sign; the officer inserts 'Signature affixed by (name) at the direction of (name)'.
Question 4
A lender may require which of these when the applicant does not qualify alone?
- A cosigner or guarantor, though it cannot insist the cosigner be the spouse
- The applicant's spouse as cosigner, with no other person allowed instead
- A notarized promise from the applicant's employer to cover payments
- The signing agent's personal guarantee
Show the answer
A. A cosigner or guarantor, though it cannot insist the cosigner be the spouse — 12 CFR 1002.7(d)(5).
Question 5
A borrower appears confused and cannot say what the documents are for. Under RULONA the notary:
- May refuse if not satisfied the person is competent and acting knowingly
- Must notarize because the lender scheduled it
- Must notarize anyway, because the signer insists and is a relative
- May sign on the borrower's behalf
Show the answer
A. May refuse if not satisfied the person is competent and acting knowingly — RULONA §8(a): a notarial officer may refuse if not satisfied that the individual is competent or has capacity, or that the signature is knowingly and voluntarily made.