California Notary 2024 Exam

California Notary 2024 Exam What are the requirements to become a notary public in California? - Answer ️️ -Legal resident, 18 years old, complete approved course, pass written exam, pass background check. What happens after an applicant submits their application and photograph? - Answer ️️ - Reviewed by Secretary of State staff for qualifying information. What is required of all applicants as part of a thorough background check? - Answer ️️ - Fingerprinting. What must applicants disclose on their applications? - Answer ️️ -All arrests for which trials are pending and all convictions. What should an applicant do if they have questions about disclosing convictions or arrests? - Answer ️️ -Contact the Secretary of State's office prior to signing the application. What should an applicant do if they do not recall the specifics about their arrest(s) and/or conviction(s)? - Answer ️️ -Contact the California Department of Justice. What are the reasons an application may be denied? - Answer ️️ -Failure to disclose any conviction, conviction of a felony, or conviction of a disqualifying lesser offense. What is the administrative hearing process? - Answer ️️ -Appeal process for denied applications (Gov. Code 8214.3) What are the reasons for denial of a notary public application? - Answer ️️ -Refer to Gov. Code 8214.1 for complete list Where can I find the most common disqualifying convictions for a notary public? - Answer ️️ - Secretary of State's Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines What is the education requirement for becoming a notary public? - Answer ️️ -Completion of a 6-hour course of study (Gov. Code 8201(a)(3) and (b)) Do I need to take the initial 6-hour course of study if I have held a commission in the past? - Answer ️️ -Yes, all persons being appointed are required to take the initial course What is the education requirement for reappointment as a notary public? - Answer ️️ - Completion of a 3-hour refresher course (if applying before current commission expires) or a 6- hour course (if commission has expired) Who approves courses of study? - Answer ️️ -Secretary of State What is included in approved courses? - Answer ️️ -All material for written exam Where can the list of approved course vendors be found? - Answer ️️ -Secretary of State's website What is the time limit for a person to qualify after receiving a commission? - Answer ️️ -30 calendar days What must a person do within the 30-day time limit to qualify as a notary public? - Answer ️️ - Take, subscribe, and file an oath of office and file a $15,000 surety bond with the county clerk's office When does the commission take effect? - Answer ️️ -After the oath and bond are filed with the county clerk's office Where must the oath and bond be filed? - Answer ️️ -In the county where the notary public maintains a principal place of business as shown in the application on file with the Secretary of State What happens if the oath and bond are not filed within the 30-day time period? - Answer ️️ - The commission will not be valid, and the person commissioned may not act as a notary public until a new appointment is obtained and the person has properly qualified within the 30-calendar- day time limit Can completed oaths and bonds be filed by mail? - Answer ️️ -Yes, by certified mail or other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt Is there an exception to the 30-day filing requirement? - Answer ️️ -No, exceptions are not made due to mail service delays, county clerk mail processing delays, or for any other reason What is the purpose of a notary public bond? - Answer ️️ -To provide a limited source of funds for paying claims against the notary public Is a notary public bond an insurance policy for the notary public? - Answer ️️ -No What is the amount of the notary public bond required by California law? - Answer ️️ -$15,000 Is a notary public personally liable for damages sustained? - Answer ️️ -Yes, to the full extent of any damages sustained Can a notary public be required to reimburse the bonding company? - Answer ️️ -Yes, if the bonding company pays sums due to misconduct or negligence of the notary public What is the geographic jurisdiction of a notary public? - Answer ️️ -The entire state of California Can a notary public perform notarial acts outside of California? - Answer ️️ -No, unless specifically authorized by California law Can a notary public refuse to perform a notarial act? - Answer ️️ -Yes, if the notary public has a good reason to believe that the act is unlawful, unethical, or involves fraud or deceit Can a notary public charge a fee for performing notarial acts? - Answer ️️ -Yes, but the fee must not exceed the maximum fee allowed by law What is the maximum fee that a notary public can charge for pe