PA Notary Resignation & Revocation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Pennsylvania notary decides to resign their commission before it expires. What must they do with their journal and stamping device?
- Mail them to the Department of State in Harrisburg.
- Destroy the stamp and keep the journal for seven years.
- Deliver them to the recorder of deeds office within 30 days. (Correct answer)
- Transfer them to their employer for safekeeping.
Correct answer: Deliver them to the recorder of deeds office within 30 days.
Within 30 days of resignation, a notary must deliver their journal and stamp to the recorder of deeds office in the county where their last business office was registered. They must not be destroyed or given to another person.
Question 2: Which of the following actions is a mandatory ground for the Department of State to revoke a notary's commission?
- Failing to maintain the required surety bond. (Correct answer)
- Unintentionally charging $1 over the maximum fee for an acknowledgment.
- Moving to a new home address and forgetting to notify the Department.
- Refusing to notarize a document for a non-English speaking individual.
Correct answer: Failing to maintain the required surety bond.
Failing to maintain the required $10,000 surety bond during the commission term is a serious violation that results in the revocation of the notary's commission.
Question 3: To be reappointed, a current notary public must complete a 3-hour notary education course within what timeframe?
- Anytime during their four-year commission.
- Within the 6 months prior to submitting their application. (Correct answer)
- Within 90 days after their commission expires.
- Within the final year of their commission.
Correct answer: Within the 6 months prior to submitting their application.
For reappointment, the 3-hour continuing education course must be completed within the six-month period immediately preceding the notary's application for reappointment.
Question 4: If a notary's commission expires and they wish to be commissioned again, what is the required process?
- Pay a late fee and complete the reappointment paperwork.
- Petition the Department of State for a 60-day extension.
- Apply as a new notary and pass the required examination. (Correct answer)
- Take a 6-hour education course instead of the usual 3 hours.
Correct answer: Apply as a new notary and pass the required examination.
Once a commission has expired, the individual cannot be reappointed. They must start over and meet all the requirements for a new applicant, including passing the state-administered exam.
Question 5: A notary receives a notice that their surety has cancelled their bond. What is the immediate effect on their notary commission?
- The commission is placed on probation for 30 days.
- The commission is automatically suspended. (Correct answer)
- The notary must pay a fine within 10 business days.
- There is no effect until the Department sends a formal revocation letter.
Correct answer: The commission is automatically suspended.
A notary commission is automatically suspended at the moment the required surety bond is no longer in effect. The notary must cease all notarial acts until a new bond is secured and the Department is notified.
Question 6: What is the first official step a notary must take to resign their commission?
- Inform the recorder of deeds in their county.
- Publish a notice of resignation in a local newspaper.
- Send a signed, dated letter of resignation to the Department of State. (Correct answer)
- Surrender their notary stamp to their surety company.
Correct answer: Send a signed, dated letter of resignation to the Department of State.
The resignation process is initiated by formally notifying the Department of State. This is done by sending a signed and dated letter of resignation, which can be delivered by mail or in person.
Question 7: Upon receiving a notice of commission revocation from the Department of State, the individual must immediately:
- Appeal the decision to the recorder of deeds.
- Cease performing all notarial acts. (Correct answer)
- Complete a remedial education course within 30 days.
- Notify their bond company to cancel their policy.
Correct answer: Cease performing all notarial acts.
A notice of revocation means the individual's authority to act as a notary public is terminated. They must immediately stop performing any and all notarial acts. Continuing to do so would be illegal.
PA Notary Resignation & Revocation 1
A Pennsylvania notary decides to resign their commission before it expires.
What must they do with their journal and stamping device?