A document was signed by the principal on March 1st. The principal personally appears before the notary on March 5th to acknowledge their signature. What date MUST the notary enter in the 'Date' field of the Certificate of Acknowledgment venue?

A Document Was Signed By The Principal On March 1st The Principal Person – CA Notary Exam Practice

March 5th, the date the principal personally appeared.

March 1st, the date the document was executed.

Both dates must be listed side-by-side.

Either date is legally acceptable.

Official source: 2026 California Notary Public Handbook (2026)

Reference: Notarial Acts/Documentation

Source checked September 7, 2026

✓

Correct Answer

A. March 5th, the date the principal personally appeared.

Detailed Explanation

Acknowledgment dates. The date on a Certificate of Acknowledgment must always be the date the signer personally appeared before the notary public. Because the signer appeared on March 5th, that is the date that must go on the certificate.

Notarial Acts/Documentation Question #140

🔒

See the Correct Answer & Detailed Explanation

Try 10 free preview questions with instant feedback, official source references, and detailed explanations. Full access includes all 429 California questions.

Start the 10-Question Free Preview

No credit card required · Interactive quiz simulator

A notary performs five separate acknowledgments for …

A signer presents a California driver's license that…

Back to California Practice Test