PA Notary Commission Maintenance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Pennsylvania Notary Public changes their residential address. Within how many days must this change be reported to the Department of State?
- 10 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 45 days
- 60 days
Correct answer: 30 days
Pennsylvania law requires a notary to notify the Department of State of a change in residential or business address within 30 days. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action.
Question 2: A Pennsylvania Notary Public legally changes their name. Which of the following actions is NOT required?
- Notify the Department of State within 45 days.
- Obtain a new notary seal reflecting the new name.
- Apply for a new notary commission. (Correct answer)
- Obtain a new bond endorsement (rider) reflecting the new name.
Correct answer: Apply for a new notary commission.
When a notary's name changes, they must notify the Department of State within 45 days, obtain a new seal reflecting the new name, and obtain a new bond endorsement (rider) reflecting the new name. They do not need to apply for a *new* commission; the existing commission continues under the new name.
Question 3: A Pennsylvania Notary Public discovers their notary journal has been lost or stolen. What is the immediate required action?
- Purchase a new journal and continue notarizing.
- Notify the Department of State and a law enforcement agency immediately. (Correct answer)
- Wait 72 hours before reporting to see if it reappears.
- Only notify their bonding company.
Correct answer: Notify the Department of State and a law enforcement agency immediately.
Upon discovering a lost or stolen notary journal, the notary must immediately notify the Department of State and a law enforcement agency. This is crucial to prevent fraudulent use of the journal and to protect the public.
Question 4: A Pennsylvania Notary Public is arrested for a misdemeanor offense. Within what timeframe must this be reported to the Department of State?
- 10 days.
- 30 days. (Correct answer)
- 45 days.
- 60 days.
Correct answer: 30 days.
A notary public must notify the Department of State within 30 days of any arrest or indictment for a felony or misdemeanor, or any conviction for a felony or misdemeanor. This ensures the Department can assess the notary's continued fitness for the office.
Question 5: A Pennsylvania Notary Public decides to change the style of their official signature. What action is required regarding this change?
- No action is required as long as the signature is legible.
- The notary must notify the Department of State in writing of the change. (Correct answer)
- The notary must obtain a new commission.
- The notary must only update their signature with their bonding company.
Correct answer: The notary must notify the Department of State in writing of the change.
While a notary's signature must be consistent with the signature on file with the Department of State at the time of application, if a notary *changes* their official signature during their commission term, they must notify the Department of State in writing. This ensures the Department has the most current official signature on record for verification purposes.
Question 6: A Pennsylvania Notary Public resigns their commission prior to its expiration. What must be done with their notary journal?
- It must be destroyed immediately.
- It must be delivered to the Department of State within 10 days. (Correct answer)
- It must be kept by the notary for 10 years after the last entry.
- It must be given to their bonding company.
Correct answer: It must be delivered to the Department of State within 10 days.
Upon resignation, revocation, suspension, or expiration of a commission without reappointment, a notary must deliver their journal to the Department of State within 10 days. The journal should be sent by certified mail or other means providing a receipt. The seal, however, should be destroyed or defaced.
Question 7: For how long must a Pennsylvania Notary Public retain their official journal from the date of the last entry?
- 5 years.
- 7 years.
- 10 years. (Correct answer)
- Until the commission expires.
Correct answer: 10 years.
Pennsylvania law requires a notary public to retain their official journal for a period of 10 years from the date of the last entry. This ensures that records of notarizations are available for a significant period for legal and investigative purposes, even after the commission expires.
PA Notary Commission Maintenance 1
A Pennsylvania Notary Public changes their residential address.
Within how many days must this change be reported to the Department of State?