Notarial Acts, Certificates, and Fees
Notarial Acts, Certificates, and Fees
This domain tests what an Idaho notary may perform, how the certificate is completed, and what may be charged. The certificate is the notary's official statement that the required steps occurred. A correct act has the right certificate, the notary's signature and stamp, and the statutory fee.
Core rules
- Common notarial acts include acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations, signature witnessing, and copy certification where Idaho law permits it.
- An acknowledgment certifies that the signer personally appeared, was identified, and acknowledged executing the document. The signer may sign before appearing.
- A jurat certifies that the signer personally appeared, was sworn or affirmed, and signed in the notary's presence.
- Complete the certificate at the time of the act: venue, date, notary signature, and official stamp. Do not leave blanks for later.
- Idaho caps the fee for a notarial act at $10. Travel or convenience charges must not be disguised as a notarial fee.
- Do not certify copies of records that law prohibits, such as public records or vital records.
Worked example
A signer brings an acknowledgment and asks for a jurat because "it sounds stronger." The notary should not choose wording based on preference. If the signer appeared and acknowledged a signature already made, use an acknowledgment certificate. If the signer signs in the notary's presence and is sworn, use a jurat. Charging $10 for the acknowledgment is within the cap; charging $25 because the document is long is not.
Traps
Do not backdate certificates or sign a certificate before the signer appears. Do not use a jurat when no oath was administered. Do not confuse the notary's fee with recording fees. Do not certify a copy outside the notary's authority.