PENNSYLVANIA NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary duty of a Pennsylvania notary public?
A. Provide legal advice
B. Authenticate signatures and deter fraud
C. Draft contracts
D. Represent clients in court
Rationale: A notary’s main function is to verify identity and
witness signatures to help prevent fraud.
Correct Answer: B. Authenticate signatures and deter fraud
2. A notary public in Pennsylvania is commissioned by:
A. The Governor
B. The Department of State
C. The Supreme Court
D. County Clerk
Rationale: Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned through
the Department of State.
Correct Answer: B. The Department of State
3. What is required before performing a notarization?
,A. Personal friendship
B. Identification of the signer
C. Payment in cash only
D. Attorney approval
Rationale: Proper identification is mandatory before
notarization.
Correct Answer: B. Identification of the signer
4. Which document is commonly acceptable for identification?
A. Library card
B. Expired passport
C. Government-issued photo ID
D. Credit card
Rationale: Government-issued IDs with photographs are
standard forms of identification.
Correct Answer: C. Government-issued photo ID
5. A jurat requires the signer to:
A. Sign outside the notary’s presence
B. Swear or affirm the contents are truthful
C. Submit fingerprints
D. Mail the document later
,Rationale: A jurat includes an oath or affirmation regarding
truthfulness.
Correct Answer: B. Swear or affirm the contents are truthful
6. An acknowledgment confirms that the signer:
A. Understands taxes
B. Voluntarily signed the document
C. Passed a background check
D. Is a Pennsylvania resident
Rationale: Acknowledgments verify willingness and
authenticity of signature.
Correct Answer: B. Voluntarily signed the document
7. A Pennsylvania notary may refuse notarization if:
A. The signer lacks proper identification
B. The signer is elderly
C. The document is lengthy
D. The signer speaks another language
Rationale: Notaries must refuse notarization without
satisfactory identification.
Correct Answer: A. The signer lacks proper identification
8. What must appear on a notary seal?
, A. Political affiliation
B. Expiration date only
C. Name, title, county, and commission expiration
D. Social Security number
Rationale: Pennsylvania law specifies required seal elements.
Correct Answer: C. Name, title, county, and commission
expiration
9. A notary public should keep a journal to:
A. Record personal expenses
B. Track notarizations performed
C. Store client addresses only
D. Maintain tax records
Rationale: Journals create an official record of notarial acts.
Correct Answer: B. Track notarizations performed
10. Which act is prohibited for a Pennsylvania notary?
A. Administering oaths
B. Certifying copies when authorized
C. Notarizing one’s own signature
D. Witnessing signatures
Rationale: Notaries cannot notarize their own signatures.
Correct Answer: C. Notarizing one’s own signature
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary duty of a Pennsylvania notary public?
A. Provide legal advice
B. Authenticate signatures and deter fraud
C. Draft contracts
D. Represent clients in court
Rationale: A notary’s main function is to verify identity and
witness signatures to help prevent fraud.
Correct Answer: B. Authenticate signatures and deter fraud
2. A notary public in Pennsylvania is commissioned by:
A. The Governor
B. The Department of State
C. The Supreme Court
D. County Clerk
Rationale: Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned through
the Department of State.
Correct Answer: B. The Department of State
3. What is required before performing a notarization?
,A. Personal friendship
B. Identification of the signer
C. Payment in cash only
D. Attorney approval
Rationale: Proper identification is mandatory before
notarization.
Correct Answer: B. Identification of the signer
4. Which document is commonly acceptable for identification?
A. Library card
B. Expired passport
C. Government-issued photo ID
D. Credit card
Rationale: Government-issued IDs with photographs are
standard forms of identification.
Correct Answer: C. Government-issued photo ID
5. A jurat requires the signer to:
A. Sign outside the notary’s presence
B. Swear or affirm the contents are truthful
C. Submit fingerprints
D. Mail the document later
,Rationale: A jurat includes an oath or affirmation regarding
truthfulness.
Correct Answer: B. Swear or affirm the contents are truthful
6. An acknowledgment confirms that the signer:
A. Understands taxes
B. Voluntarily signed the document
C. Passed a background check
D. Is a Pennsylvania resident
Rationale: Acknowledgments verify willingness and
authenticity of signature.
Correct Answer: B. Voluntarily signed the document
7. A Pennsylvania notary may refuse notarization if:
A. The signer lacks proper identification
B. The signer is elderly
C. The document is lengthy
D. The signer speaks another language
Rationale: Notaries must refuse notarization without
satisfactory identification.
Correct Answer: A. The signer lacks proper identification
8. What must appear on a notary seal?
, A. Political affiliation
B. Expiration date only
C. Name, title, county, and commission expiration
D. Social Security number
Rationale: Pennsylvania law specifies required seal elements.
Correct Answer: C. Name, title, county, and commission
expiration
9. A notary public should keep a journal to:
A. Record personal expenses
B. Track notarizations performed
C. Store client addresses only
D. Maintain tax records
Rationale: Journals create an official record of notarial acts.
Correct Answer: B. Track notarizations performed
10. Which act is prohibited for a Pennsylvania notary?
A. Administering oaths
B. Certifying copies when authorized
C. Notarizing one’s own signature
D. Witnessing signatures
Rationale: Notaries cannot notarize their own signatures.
Correct Answer: C. Notarizing one’s own signature
