CALIFORNIA NOTARY PUBLIC EXAM ,
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public
in California?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Answer: B. 18
Rationale: California law requires that notaries be at least 18 years old.
2. How long is a California notary public commission valid?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C. 4 years
Rationale: Notary commissions in California are valid for four years from
the date of issuance.
3. Which of the following is required before a notary can notarize a
document?
A. The signer must provide a social security number
B. The signer must personally appear before the notary
C. The notary must witness a signature remotely
D. The document must be notarized in another state first
,Answer: B. The signer must personally appear before the notary
Rationale: California law requires personal appearance at the time of
notarization.
4. What form of identification is acceptable for notarization in
California?
A. Expired passport
B. Valid driver’s license
C. Credit card
D. Membership card
Answer: B. Valid driver’s license
Rationale: Acceptable ID includes government-issued photo
identification with signature.
5. Which of the following acts is prohibited for a California notary?
A. Administering oaths
B. Certifying copies of documents for the public record
C. Giving legal advice
D. Taking acknowledgments
Answer: C. Giving legal advice
Rationale: Notaries are not authorized to provide legal advice unless
they are also attorneys.
6. How soon must a notary notify the Secretary of State after moving
their business address?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Answer: B. 30 days
Rationale: Notaries must inform the Secretary of State within 30 days of
a change of business address.
, 7. A California notary may notarize a document for:
A. Immediate family members only
B. Anyone who appears before them
C. Only business associates
D. Only government employees
Answer: B. Anyone who appears before them
Rationale: A notary can notarize documents for any person who
personally appears and provides proper identification.
8. Which of the following is NOT a notarial act?
A. Administering oaths
B. Taking acknowledgments
C. Witnessing signatures
D. Drafting contracts
Answer: D. Drafting contracts
Rationale: Drafting contracts is the practice of law, not a notarial act.
9. What is the primary purpose of a notary journal?
A. To record personal opinions
B. To document all notarial acts performed
C. To keep track of business income
D. To provide notarized documents to the public
Answer: B. To document all notarial acts performed
Rationale: The notary journal provides a permanent record of all
notarizations for legal protection and accountability.
10. Which of the following documents can a California notary certify
as a true copy?
A. Public records
B. Vital records (birth, death certificates)
C. Driver’s licenses
D. All of the above
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public
in California?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Answer: B. 18
Rationale: California law requires that notaries be at least 18 years old.
2. How long is a California notary public commission valid?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C. 4 years
Rationale: Notary commissions in California are valid for four years from
the date of issuance.
3. Which of the following is required before a notary can notarize a
document?
A. The signer must provide a social security number
B. The signer must personally appear before the notary
C. The notary must witness a signature remotely
D. The document must be notarized in another state first
,Answer: B. The signer must personally appear before the notary
Rationale: California law requires personal appearance at the time of
notarization.
4. What form of identification is acceptable for notarization in
California?
A. Expired passport
B. Valid driver’s license
C. Credit card
D. Membership card
Answer: B. Valid driver’s license
Rationale: Acceptable ID includes government-issued photo
identification with signature.
5. Which of the following acts is prohibited for a California notary?
A. Administering oaths
B. Certifying copies of documents for the public record
C. Giving legal advice
D. Taking acknowledgments
Answer: C. Giving legal advice
Rationale: Notaries are not authorized to provide legal advice unless
they are also attorneys.
6. How soon must a notary notify the Secretary of State after moving
their business address?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Answer: B. 30 days
Rationale: Notaries must inform the Secretary of State within 30 days of
a change of business address.
, 7. A California notary may notarize a document for:
A. Immediate family members only
B. Anyone who appears before them
C. Only business associates
D. Only government employees
Answer: B. Anyone who appears before them
Rationale: A notary can notarize documents for any person who
personally appears and provides proper identification.
8. Which of the following is NOT a notarial act?
A. Administering oaths
B. Taking acknowledgments
C. Witnessing signatures
D. Drafting contracts
Answer: D. Drafting contracts
Rationale: Drafting contracts is the practice of law, not a notarial act.
9. What is the primary purpose of a notary journal?
A. To record personal opinions
B. To document all notarial acts performed
C. To keep track of business income
D. To provide notarized documents to the public
Answer: B. To document all notarial acts performed
Rationale: The notary journal provides a permanent record of all
notarizations for legal protection and accountability.
10. Which of the following documents can a California notary certify
as a true copy?
A. Public records
B. Vital records (birth, death certificates)
C. Driver’s licenses
D. All of the above
