Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What should a notary's journal entry note when they use a credible witness to identify a signer?

Just that a witness was present
Nothing additional is needed
Only the signer's name
The credible witness's name, ID information, and their oath confirming the signer's identity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The credible witness's name, ID information, and their oath confirming the signer's identity

When a credible witness is used, the journal must fully document the witness's identity and the oath they took to create a complete record of how the signer was identified.

Question 2: Who appoints notaries public in most US states?

The federal government
The state government (Correct answer)
Local courts
The state bar association

Correct answer: The state government

In most states, the governor or secretary of state grants a notary commission through the state government.

Question 3: What is the typical maximum fee per notarial act in many US states?

$50 per act
$0.50 per act
$100 per act
$5 to $15 per act (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $5 to $15 per act

Most states set maximum notary fees in the range of $5 to $15 per notarial act, though some states set higher or lower limits.

Question 4: What is an 'affirmation' as opposed to an 'oath'?

A type of legal contract
A stronger and more legally binding promise
A solemn declaration for those who object to swearing an oath on religious or other grounds (Correct answer)
A written sworn statement

Correct answer: A solemn declaration for those who object to swearing an oath on religious or other grounds

An affirmation is a legally equivalent alternative to an oath, used by individuals who have religious or conscientious objections to swearing.

Question 5: What is a 'notarial certificate' in the context of a notarized document?

The wording on the document that describes the type of notarial act performed (Correct answer)
The notary's professional license issued by the state
The receipt provided to the signer after the notarization is complete
The notary's bond insurance policy number

Correct answer: The wording on the document that describes the type of notarial act performed

A notarial certificate is the written wording—including venue, type of act, and attestation language—that the notary completes, signs, and seals to document the notarial act.

Question 6: How many credible witnesses are typically required to identify a signer in most US states?

One
Three
Two (Correct answer)
Four

Correct answer: Two

Most states require two credible witnesses when using the credible witness method of identification, though a few states allow one witness who is personally known to the notary.

Question 7: For how long should a notary retain their journal after their commission expires?

For one year after expiration
Indefinitely forever
For the period specified by state law, often several years (Correct answer)
They may destroy it immediately upon commission expiration

Correct answer: For the period specified by state law, often several years

State laws vary, but most require notaries to keep their journal for a set number of years after expiration, typically ranging from five to ten years.

Question 8: Why is it recommended that notaries obtain a signer's thumbprint in their journal?

It is required for digital documents only
It is required by all states for every document
It replaces the need for any photo ID
It provides an additional layer of identification useful in fraud investigations (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It provides an additional layer of identification useful in fraud investigations

A thumbprint creates a biometric link between the signer and the notarial act that is nearly impossible to dispute, especially valuable for high-risk documents like deeds.

Question 9: Is a notary employer entitled to take possession of a notary employee's official journal?

Only if the employer paid for the journal
Only upon termination of employment
Yes, the journal belongs to whoever employs the notary
No, the journal is the personal property of the notary, not the employer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No, the journal is the personal property of the notary, not the employer

The notary journal is the personal property of the commissioned notary and cannot be taken by an employer, even if the employer purchased the journal book.

Question 10: Which piece of information is NOT typically required to appear on a notary's official seal?

The notary's residential street address (Correct answer)
The state of commission
The commission expiration date
The notary's full legal name

Correct answer: The notary's residential street address

A notary's home address is not required on the seal; it is not a standard element and its inclusion would create unnecessary privacy concerns.

Question 11: A notary who acts outside their commissioned state may face which consequence?

Disciplinary action and potentially invalid notarizations (Correct answer)
Additional required training
Higher notarial fees
A promotion to federal notary

Correct answer: Disciplinary action and potentially invalid notarizations

Notarial acts performed outside the notary's commissioned state are unauthorized and may be invalid, and can result in disciplinary action.

Question 12: What document officially grants a person the authority to act as a notary?

Notary journal
E&O insurance policy
Commission certificate (Correct answer)
Notary bond

Correct answer: Commission certificate

The commission certificate is the official document issued by the state that authorizes an individual to perform notarial acts.

Question 13: Can a notary's employer require the notary to notarize documents only for the employer's business?

No, an employer cannot restrict a notary's services to only employer-related documents
No, all members of the public must always be served
Yes, the employer owns the commission
Yes, employers may reasonably restrict notarial services to business hours and business documents (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, employers may reasonably restrict notarial services to business hours and business documents

An employer may reasonably limit a notary-employee's notarial services to business purposes during working hours, though the notary remains personally responsible for each act.

Question 14: What is a 'notarial act'?

Any signed legal document
An official act performed by a commissioned notary (Correct answer)
A type of power of attorney
A court order requiring a signature

Correct answer: An official act performed by a commissioned notary

A notarial act is any official duty, such as taking an acknowledgment or administering an oath, that a commissioned notary is authorized to perform.

Question 15: What is the purpose of a notary's official seal?

To officially identify the notary and authenticate the act (Correct answer)
To replace the notary's signature
To certify payment received
To encrypt documents

Correct answer: To officially identify the notary and authenticate the act

The notary's seal identifies the notary, confirms the jurisdiction, and authenticates that an official notarial act was performed.

Question 16: A notary must REFUSE to affix their seal to a document that contains which of the following?

Handwritten text added by the signer
A prior notarization from another state
Blank spaces that could be filled in after notarization (Correct answer)
More than one signer on the signature page

Correct answer: Blank spaces that could be filled in after notarization

Notaries must never seal documents with blank spaces, as blanks could be fraudulently completed after notarization to change the document's meaning.

Question 17: What is an 'electronic notary journal'?

A digital record-keeping system that stores notarial act data electronically (Correct answer)
A journal kept on a government-controlled server
An email log of all notarization requests received
A paper journal with an electronic date stamp applied

Correct answer: A digital record-keeping system that stores notarial act data electronically

An electronic notary journal is a tamper-evident digital system that records notarial acts and is used primarily by electronic and remote online notaries.

Question 18: Which seal shape is most commonly required or permitted for a notary's official stamp?

Hexagonal with a state emblem
Triangular or diamond-shaped
Circular or rectangular (Correct answer)
Square with a border

Correct answer: Circular or rectangular

Most states authorize notary seals in either a circular or rectangular shape as these are the standard forms recognized in official documents.

Question 19: What is a 'loose certificate'?

A certificate with illegible handwriting
A certificate that is missing key information
An expired notarial certificate
A notarial certificate printed on a separate sheet and physically attached to the document (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A notarial certificate printed on a separate sheet and physically attached to the document

A loose certificate is a separate page containing the notarial wording that is stapled or attached to the document when there is no room on the document itself.

Question 20: Who has the authority to set the maximum fees a notary public can charge?

The individual notary based on market rates
The American Association of Notaries
The US federal government
The state in which the notary is commissioned (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The state in which the notary is commissioned

Maximum notary fees are set by state law, and no notary may charge more than the state-mandated limit regardless of the transaction's complexity.

Question 21: What is the purpose of the signer's signature in the notary journal?

To replace the signature on the actual document
For the notary's personal reference files only
It is merely a formality with no legal purpose
To create a record directly linking the signer to the specific notarial act (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To create a record directly linking the signer to the specific notarial act

The signer's journal signature serves as evidence that the person was present for the notarial act and can be compared to the document signature if fraud is suspected.

Question 22: A notary who notarizes a document without the signer being personally present has committed what offense?

A clerical error that can be corrected
Negligent notarization only
False or fraudulent notarization (Correct answer)
A minor technical violation

Correct answer: False or fraudulent notarization

Notarizing without personal appearance defeats the entire purpose of notarization and constitutes fraud, which can lead to criminal charges.

Question 23: When inked rubber stamps are required, what ink color do most states specify for notary seals?

Black or blue ink for reproducibility (Correct answer)
Purple ink to distinguish notarial acts
Green ink for security purposes
Red ink for visibility

Correct answer: Black or blue ink for reproducibility

Most states specify black or blue ink for notary stamps because these colors reproduce clearly and consistently on photocopies and scanned documents.

Question 24: What qualifications must a credible witness meet to identify a signer?

They must work for a law enforcement or government agency
They must hold a current notary commission
They must personally know the signer and have no financial interest in the transaction (Correct answer)
They must be related to the signer by blood or marriage

Correct answer: They must personally know the signer and have no financial interest in the transaction

A credible witness must personally know the signer, be known to or identified by the notary, and have no interest in the document or transaction.

Question 25: What is the likely consequence if a court determines that a notary's seal was improperly affixed to a document?

The signer must appear at a courthouse and re-execute the document
The document is automatically and permanently void with no recourse
The document may be challenged or rejected by courts and recording offices (Correct answer)
The notary's commission is immediately and permanently revoked

Correct answer: The document may be challenged or rejected by courts and recording offices

An improperly affixed seal may cause the document to be challenged or rejected by courts, county recorders, or other authorities, potentially invalidating the notarization.

Question 26: What is the primary role of a notary public?

Provide legal advice
Represent clients in court
Witness and authenticate signatures (Correct answer)
Draft legal documents

Correct answer: Witness and authenticate signatures

A notary public serves as an impartial witness who verifies the identity of signers and authenticates signatures on documents.

Question 27: What must a notary do if they move to a new address within their commissioned state?

Notify the commissioning authority of their updated address (Correct answer)
Obtain a new official seal immediately
Apply for an entirely new notary commission
Stop performing notarial acts until a new commission is issued

Correct answer: Notify the commissioning authority of their updated address

Notaries are required to keep their contact information current with the commissioning authority, though an in-state move typically does not require a new commission.

Question 28: Who is responsible for the safekeeping of a notary's official seal?

The county clerk
The commissioning state
The notary's employer
The notary personally (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary personally

The notary is personally responsible for maintaining and securing their official seal to prevent unauthorized use.

Question 29: A notary public is considered which type of official?

A private attorney
A public officer (Correct answer)
A licensed paralegal
A federal employee

Correct answer: A public officer

Notaries public are commissioned as public officers, meaning they serve in an official capacity for the public good.

Question 30: What should a notary do if they are asked to notarize a document in which they have a financial interest?

Notarize it and disclose the interest in the journal
Notarize it with a witness present
Notarize it if the fee is disclosed
Refuse to notarize to avoid a conflict of interest (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize to avoid a conflict of interest

A notary must refuse to notarize any document in which they have a personal or financial interest because it compromises their required impartiality.

Question 31: How long is a typical notary commission term in most US states?

4 years (Correct answer)
2 years
10 years
1 year

Correct answer: 4 years

Most states issue notary commissions for four years, though some states use shorter or longer terms.

Question 32: What should a notary do if a document they are asked to notarize has blank spaces?

Fill in the blanks themselves
Cross out all blank lines before notarizing
Proceed with notarizing normally
Refuse to notarize until all blanks are completed by the signer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize until all blanks are completed by the signer

A notary should refuse to notarize a document with blank spaces because blanks could be filled in with fraudulent information after notarization.

Question 33: What does it mean for a notary to be 'impartial'?

The notary must work for the government
The notary cannot charge fees
The notary must be a licensed attorney
The notary has no personal interest in the transaction (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary has no personal interest in the transaction

An impartial notary has no financial or personal stake in the outcome of the transaction they are notarizing.

Question 34: A hospital employee who is a notary wants to charge a patient for notarizing documents at the bedside. What is typically true?

They must charge the fee or risk losing their commission
They may always charge the full state maximum fee
Many hospital and healthcare facility policies prohibit charging patients for notarial services (Correct answer)
Only government-employed notaries may not charge fees

Correct answer: Many hospital and healthcare facility policies prohibit charging patients for notarial services

Many hospitals, banks, and government offices have policies requiring their notary employees to provide services free of charge to clients or patients.

Question 35: What is the key difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?

There is no practical difference between the two
Jurats require a seal; acknowledgments do not
Acknowledgments require an oath; jurats do not
Jurats require the signer to sign in the notary's presence; acknowledgments do not always require this (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Jurats require the signer to sign in the notary's presence; acknowledgments do not always require this

For a jurat, the signer must sign the document in the notary's presence and take an oath, whereas for an acknowledgment, the document may have been signed earlier.

Question 36: What should happen to a notary's journal when their commission expires or is revoked?

It should be destroyed to protect client privacy
It should be sent to the notary's employer
It automatically becomes the property of the county recorder
It should be retained by the notary or surrendered to the appropriate state authority per state law (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It should be retained by the notary or surrendered to the appropriate state authority per state law

State laws differ, but journals must either be kept by the notary for the required retention period or submitted to a designated state office.

Question 37: Under what circumstance should a notary refuse to notarize even if the signer has proper identification?

If the signer does not speak English
If the signer appears to be under duress or coercion (Correct answer)
If the notary dislikes the type of document
If the document is more than ten pages long

Correct answer: If the signer appears to be under duress or coercion

A notary must refuse when there are signs that the signer is being pressured or coerced, because a voluntary signature is a fundamental requirement of valid notarization.

Question 38: What is 'remote online notarization' (RON)?

Mailing documents to a notary for signature
Using an automated kiosk to notarize documents
A notarization performed via live two-way video conferencing technology (Correct answer)
Notarizing documents over the telephone

Correct answer: A notarization performed via live two-way video conferencing technology

RON allows a notary and signer to be in different physical locations while the notary performs the act via live audio-video technology with required identity verification.

Question 39: What information must a notarial certificate contain?

The venue, date, notary's signature, and official seal (Correct answer)
The signer's social security number
The name of the supervising attorney
The full text of the document being notarized

Correct answer: The venue, date, notary's signature, and official seal

A complete notarial certificate must include the venue (state and county), date of the act, the notary's signature, and their official seal or stamp.

Question 40: For what lawful reasons may a notary refuse to perform a notarization?

The signer cannot provide satisfactory identification or appears to be under duress (Correct answer)
The notary dislikes the type of document
The notary is too busy to help
The signer is of a different nationality

Correct answer: The signer cannot provide satisfactory identification or appears to be under duress

Legitimate grounds for refusal include lack of satisfactory ID, apparent coercion of the signer, incomplete documents, or the act being one the notary is not authorized to perform.

Question 41: In most states, notary fees are charged on what basis?

Per notarial act performed (Correct answer)
Per hour of service provided
Per document regardless of the number of acts
Per page of the document notarized

Correct answer: Per notarial act performed

Fees are charged per notarial act—so a document requiring two signatures notarized would incur two fees.

Question 42: What should a notary do if their journal is lost or stolen?

Do nothing and wait to see if it is returned
Notify the commissioning authority immediately and purchase a new journal (Correct answer)
Create a new journal and continue working without reporting
Report the loss only if a complaint is filed

Correct answer: Notify the commissioning authority immediately and purchase a new journal

A lost or stolen journal poses a fraud risk; the notary must notify the commissioning authority promptly to protect the public and create an official record of the loss.

Question 43: What is a 'jurat'?

A copy certification
A type of embossed seal
A notarial certificate where the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of a document's contents (Correct answer)
A power of attorney certificate

Correct answer: A notarial certificate where the signer swears or affirms the truthfulness of a document's contents

A jurat is the notarial certificate used when a signer swears or affirms under oath that the contents of the document are true.

Question 44: Which of the following items is NOT typically recorded in a notary journal?

Signer's address
Fee charged for the act
Full text content of the document notarized (Correct answer)
Type of notarial act performed

Correct answer: Full text content of the document notarized

The journal records identifying and procedural information about the act, but never reproduces the full content of the confidential document being notarized.

Question 45: What typically happens to a notary's commission when they move permanently out of their commissioning state?

The commission transfers to the new state of residence
The notary obtains a federal supplemental commission
The notary must resign or their commission is automatically terminated (Correct answer)
The commission continues in full force until its expiration date

Correct answer: The notary must resign or their commission is automatically terminated

Most states require notaries who move out of state to resign their commission because residency or employment in the state is typically a condition of being commissioned.

Notary Public Exam

The Notary Public Exam tests knowledge of notarial laws, procedures, and ethical responsibilities required to commission as a notary public. It covers notarial acts, document types, record keeping, fees, and jurisdiction-specific regulations.

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60 min

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70%

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