Ohio Notary Practice Exam

What might invalidate an acknowledgement?

1. Not showing the official capacity and the state of commission of the notary

2. The absence of a witness

3. The document is not dated

4. The document being acknowledged is a blank document

The correct answer is: Not showing the official capacity and the state of commission of the notary

Not showing the official capacity and the state of commission of the notary can invalidate an acknowledgement because it is a crucial part of the notary's duty to identify themselves and provide proof of their authority to notarize the document. This absence may raise doubts about the authenticity of the acknowledgement and render it invalid. The absence of a witness or a dated document may not necessarily invalidate an acknowledgement, as they are not statutory requirements in all states. However, it is always recommended to have both a witness and a date on the document to avoid any potential legal issues. The final option, acknowledging a blank document, is a clear violation of notary best practices and can result in the invalidation of the acknowledgement. Notarizing a blank document means the notary has not actually witnessed the signing of the document, which undermines the entire purpose of an acknowledgement.