PA Notary Bond & Oath 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required amount for a notary public's surety bond in Pennsylvania?
- $1,000
- $5,000
- $10,000 (Correct answer)
- $25,000
Correct answer: $10,000
Every notary public in Pennsylvania is required to obtain and maintain a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 for the duration of their four-year commission.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a notary's surety bond?
- To protect the notary from lawsuits
- To protect the public from financial harm caused by the notary's misconduct (Correct answer)
- To serve as an insurance policy for the notary's employer
- To generate revenue for the Department of State
Correct answer: To protect the public from financial harm caused by the notary's misconduct
The surety bond is in place to protect the public from financial harm resulting from the notary's negligence, errors, or willful misconduct. It does not protect the notary from liability.
Question 3: Within how many days of appointment must a notary take the oath of office and record their bond and commission?
- 10 days
- 30 days
- 45 days (Correct answer)
- 90 days
Correct answer: 45 days
A newly appointed notary has 45 days from the date of their appointment to appear before the recorder of deeds, take their oath, and record their bond, oath, and commission.
Question 4: What happens if a notary fails to file their bond and take the oath of office within the required timeframe?
- A 30-day extension is automatically granted.
- The commission becomes null and void. (Correct answer)
- A fine is imposed by the Department of State.
- The notary is placed on probation for one year.
Correct answer: The commission becomes null and void.
Failure to take the oath and file the bond, oath, and commission with the recorder of deeds within the 45-day period results in the notary's commission becoming null and void. The individual must reapply from the beginning.
Question 5: Where must a notary public take their oath of office?
- At any courthouse in Pennsylvania
- Before the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Harrisburg
- At the office of the recorder of deeds for the notary's county (Correct answer)
- In the presence of another commissioned notary public
Correct answer: At the office of the recorder of deeds for the notary's county
The oath of office must be taken and subscribed before the recorder of deeds in the county where the notary maintains their business office.
Question 6: Which three documents must be recorded at the recorder of deeds office within 45 days of appointment?
- Application, exam results, and bond
- Commission, oath of office, and bond (Correct answer)
- Education certificate, oath of office, and signature card
- Bond, commission, and driver's license
Correct answer: Commission, oath of office, and bond
The notary must record their signed oath of office, the original surety bond, and their commission certificate at the recorder of deeds office.
Question 7: Who is responsible for paying a claim against the notary bond if the notary is found at fault?
- The Department of State
- The notary's employer
- The surety company, which the notary must then reimburse (Correct answer)
- The injured party absorbs the loss.
Correct answer: The surety company, which the notary must then reimburse
The surety company will pay the claim to the injured party up to the bond amount ($10,000). However, the notary is then legally obligated to reimburse the surety company for the full amount paid out, plus any legal fees.
PA Notary Bond & Oath 1
What is the required amount for a notary public's surety bond in Pennsylvania?