HM2 ADVANCEMENT EXAM STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
2026
⫸ When a Notary notarizes for a signer, the Notary's job as an impartial
witness is to do 3 things:
.... Answer: 1) authenticate a person's identity
2) verify that the person executed (signed) the document
3) compel an affiant to truthfulness
⫸ Notary Qualifications? (7 things) Answer: 1) At least 18 years of age
2) Legal resident of California (must provide street address as resident;
may NOT use PO box or commercial address as primary residence)
3) Complete a state-approved education course (6hr course at least one
time or 3hr refresher course prior to reappointment
4) Pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State
5) Possess integrity
6) Pass a background check (submit fingerprints to the Department of
Justice an dFederal Bureau of Investigation)
7) Submit an application (disclose all arrest with trials pending and
convictions even if dismissed)
, ⫸ It is the duty of a Notary Public to perform a notarial act when
presented with a proper request and the fee for the notarial act has been
paid (T/F) Answer: T
⫸ Notary must ensure he or she has no direct financial or beneficial
interest (conflict of interest) in the notarized transaction.
this means the notary may not.... Answer: may not be named in the
document for financial transactions and may not notarize his/her own
signature
⫸ there is a law that says you can't notarize for spouse in california
(T/F) Answer: F
⫸ Since california is a community property state, a notary should
exercise caution when performing notarial services for a spouse or a
domestic partner (T/F) Answer: T
⫸ In REAL ESTATE property transactions, a Notary public would have
a conflict of interested if named as.... ("or" or "ee")
basically can't be notary if... Answer: 1) Grantor or grantee
2) trustor or trustee
3) lessor or lessee
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
2026
⫸ When a Notary notarizes for a signer, the Notary's job as an impartial
witness is to do 3 things:
.... Answer: 1) authenticate a person's identity
2) verify that the person executed (signed) the document
3) compel an affiant to truthfulness
⫸ Notary Qualifications? (7 things) Answer: 1) At least 18 years of age
2) Legal resident of California (must provide street address as resident;
may NOT use PO box or commercial address as primary residence)
3) Complete a state-approved education course (6hr course at least one
time or 3hr refresher course prior to reappointment
4) Pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State
5) Possess integrity
6) Pass a background check (submit fingerprints to the Department of
Justice an dFederal Bureau of Investigation)
7) Submit an application (disclose all arrest with trials pending and
convictions even if dismissed)
, ⫸ It is the duty of a Notary Public to perform a notarial act when
presented with a proper request and the fee for the notarial act has been
paid (T/F) Answer: T
⫸ Notary must ensure he or she has no direct financial or beneficial
interest (conflict of interest) in the notarized transaction.
this means the notary may not.... Answer: may not be named in the
document for financial transactions and may not notarize his/her own
signature
⫸ there is a law that says you can't notarize for spouse in california
(T/F) Answer: F
⫸ Since california is a community property state, a notary should
exercise caution when performing notarial services for a spouse or a
domestic partner (T/F) Answer: T
⫸ In REAL ESTATE property transactions, a Notary public would have
a conflict of interested if named as.... ("or" or "ee")
basically can't be notary if... Answer: 1) Grantor or grantee
2) trustor or trustee
3) lessor or lessee
