New Jersey Notary Practice Exam

What must a notary public do within 10 calendar days if their stamping device is lost or stolen?

1. Notify the local police department

2. Notify the state treasurer

3. Replace the stamping device at their own expense

4. Report the incident to the county clerk

The correct answer is: Notify the state treasurer

If a notary public's stamping device is lost or stolen, the appropriate action is to notify the state treasurer within 10 calendar days. This requirement is crucial as the state treasurer maintains oversight over notary activities and needs to ensure that all periods of potential misuse are monitored. By notifying the state treasurer, the notary helps to protect the integrity of the notarial process and allows the state to take necessary actions if there is a possibility of fraudulent use of the lost or stolen stamping device. Notifying the local police department, while important in the case of theft, does not fulfill the specific legal obligation established for notaries regarding the loss of their equipment. Similarly, while replacing the stamping device at personal expense is a necessary action to continue performing notarial duties, it does not address the immediate notification requirement. Reporting the incident to the county clerk is also not the first step mandated by New Jersey law. Keeping the state treasurer informed protects both the notary and the public from potential misuse of notarial powers.