PA Notary Commission Maintenance 3

Question 1

A Pennsylvania notary's office of record is in Lycoming County.
They move their residence to Dauphin County but continue to work at the same office in Lycoming County.
Which of the following actions is required?

Accepted Answer

Notify the Department of State of the new home address within 30 days.

Answer

Re-register their signature with the Prothonotary in Dauphin County.

Answer

Resign their commission as they no longer reside in the county of their office.

Answer

Obtain a new bond and retake the oath of office in Lycoming County.

Question 2

A notary is commissioned under their maiden name, 'Jane Smith.' After marriage, she legally changes her name to 'Jane Doe' but wishes to continue her established professional practice under 'Jane Smith.' According to Pennsylvania law, what is she permitted to do?

Accepted Answer

Continue notarizing as 'Jane Smith' for the remainder of her commission term after notifying the Department of State of the legal name change.

Answer

Immediately cease all notarial acts until a new commission is issued under 'Jane Doe.'

Answer

Notarize documents by signing 'Jane Doe (formerly Jane Smith)' on all certificates.

Answer

Exclusively use the name 'Jane Doe' for all notarial acts after purchasing a new stamp.

Question 3

Due to a sudden job relocation, a Pennsylvania notary moves out of the Commonwealth and no longer works in the state. What is the status of their notary commission?

Accepted Answer

The notary is considered to have resigned their commission as of the date they ceased to live or work in Pennsylvania.

Answer

The commission remains active for 90 days, allowing them to perform remote online notarizations.

Answer

The commission is automatically suspended and can be reactivated upon returning to the Commonwealth.

Answer

The commission is valid until its expiration date, regardless of residency or employment status.

Question 4

A notary's stamping device is stolen, but their journal is secure. After promptly notifying the Department of State of the theft, which of the following is the notary's next required step before performing further notarial acts?

Accepted Answer

Obtain a new stamping device.

Answer

File a report with local law enforcement.

Answer

Publish a notice of the theft in a local newspaper.

Answer

Surrender their notary journal to the Recorder of Deeds.

Question 5

Upon resigning a notary commission mid-term, what is the specific requirement regarding the notary's journal?

Accepted Answer

It must be delivered to the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the notary last maintained an office within 30 days.

Answer

It must be retained by the former notary for a period of ten years following the resignation date.

Answer

A certified copy must be filed with the Department of State, and the original must be destroyed.

Answer

It must be surrendered to the employer who paid for the notary's commission and supplies.

Question 6

A notary changes their business email address, which was the primary email on file with the Department of State. What action is required?

Accepted Answer

Notify the Department of State of the change within 30 days.

Answer

No action is required as an email address is not part of the official commission record.

Answer

Update the email address only upon reappointment.

Answer

Notify the Prothonotary of the county of record.