CALIFORNIA NOTARY PUBLIC STATE EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
● Who issues commission? . Answer: Secretary of State
● When does commission become valid . Answer: After taking oath of
office and bond are filed on time
● Who do you file oath and bond with . Answer: county clerk
● Where is a notary's commission limited to? . Answer: State of
california; not only a certain county
● What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed . Answer: Surety
bond for 15,000
● What is the purpose of the surety bond . Answer: reimburse members
of the public that are damaged by notarial misconduct
May still be liable for damages, costs and attorney's fees exceeding
policy limits
,● What kind of notary publics are not allowed to perform notorial acts
on their own time? . Answer: Notaries appointed by Secretart of State
who serve as notary public on behalf of the state, city or county public
agency
● What are the restrictions of becoming a notary on a military or naval
reservation . Answer: -doesnt have to be a CA resident
-cannot collect fees
-can only collect fees on the naval reservtion
● With who should the oath and bond be filed . Answer: county clerk in
the county where the notary holds her principal place of business
● How much time and who must a notary notify of an address change? .
Answer: Notify Secretary of State by certified mail within 30 days of
changing residence or business address
● Fine for failing to notify of address change: . Answer: $500
● What are the two duties to respond to written requests . Answer: 1-
respond in 30 days to written requests for information
2-respond in time specified when certified copies of journal are
requested
, ● Can an employer request that fees be turned over to employer? .
Answer: yes.
● How many journals can a notary keep . Answer: one
● Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? . Answer: -
any member of the general public can request to see their line item in the
journal
● What must the request include when requesting copies of a notorial
journal . Answer: -Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
● Maximum fee per page of copy requests . Answer: $0.30
● How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of the
journal . Answer: 15 calendar days
● Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor
or agent to inspect journal . Answer: yes
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
● Who issues commission? . Answer: Secretary of State
● When does commission become valid . Answer: After taking oath of
office and bond are filed on time
● Who do you file oath and bond with . Answer: county clerk
● Where is a notary's commission limited to? . Answer: State of
california; not only a certain county
● What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed . Answer: Surety
bond for 15,000
● What is the purpose of the surety bond . Answer: reimburse members
of the public that are damaged by notarial misconduct
May still be liable for damages, costs and attorney's fees exceeding
policy limits
,● What kind of notary publics are not allowed to perform notorial acts
on their own time? . Answer: Notaries appointed by Secretart of State
who serve as notary public on behalf of the state, city or county public
agency
● What are the restrictions of becoming a notary on a military or naval
reservation . Answer: -doesnt have to be a CA resident
-cannot collect fees
-can only collect fees on the naval reservtion
● With who should the oath and bond be filed . Answer: county clerk in
the county where the notary holds her principal place of business
● How much time and who must a notary notify of an address change? .
Answer: Notify Secretary of State by certified mail within 30 days of
changing residence or business address
● Fine for failing to notify of address change: . Answer: $500
● What are the two duties to respond to written requests . Answer: 1-
respond in 30 days to written requests for information
2-respond in time specified when certified copies of journal are
requested
, ● Can an employer request that fees be turned over to employer? .
Answer: yes.
● How many journals can a notary keep . Answer: one
● Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? . Answer: -
any member of the general public can request to see their line item in the
journal
● What must the request include when requesting copies of a notorial
journal . Answer: -Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
● Maximum fee per page of copy requests . Answer: $0.30
● How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of the
journal . Answer: 15 calendar days
● Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor
or agent to inspect journal . Answer: yes
