Before performing a notarial act, the notary should ensure that the document is properly completed and that all blanks are filled in. The notary must not notarize incomplete documents to avoid issues with document validity.
If an error is discovered after notarization, the notary should complete a new notarization on a corrected document and make a note of the error and the corrective action in the notarial journal. The original document should not be altered, and a new notarization ensures that all information is accurate.
In Montana, a notary must record the date and time of the notarization, the type of notarial act performed, and the name and address of the signer in their notarial journal. This ensures accurate recordkeeping and accountability.
A jurat involves administering an oath or affirmation to the signer, who must then swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true. The notary then witnesses the signing of the document. This process is different from an acknowledgment.
An acknowledgment is a notarial act where the notary verifies that the signer understands the document and acknowledges that they signed it willingly. The notary does not administer an oath or certify copies in this type of act.
