California Notary Public Exam Questions
and Well Detailed answers|| GRADED
A+|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
Critical commencement date -CORRECTANSWER commencement date stated in the
commission NOT date commission was issued or mailed
Who issues commission? -CORRECTANSWER Secretary of State
When does commission become valid -CORRECTANSWER After taking oath of office
and bond are filed on time
Who do you file oath and bond with -CORRECTANSWER county clerk
Where is a notary's commission limited to? -CORRECTANSWER State of california; not
only a certain county
What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed -CORRECTANSWER Surety bond
for 15,000
What is the purpose of the surety bond -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER 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 -
CORRECTANSWER -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 -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER Notify Secretary of State by certified mail within 30 days of
changing residence or business address
Fine for failing to notify of address change: -CORRECTANSWER $500
What are the two duties to respond to written requests -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER
yes.
How many journals can a notary keep -CORRECTANSWER one
Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? -CORRECTANSWER -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 -
CORRECTANSWER -Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
Maximum fee per page of copy requests -CORRECTANSWER $0.30
How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of the journal -
CORRECTANSWER 15 calendar days
Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor or agent to inspect
journal -CORRECTANSWER yes
and Well Detailed answers|| GRADED
A+|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
Critical commencement date -CORRECTANSWER commencement date stated in the
commission NOT date commission was issued or mailed
Who issues commission? -CORRECTANSWER Secretary of State
When does commission become valid -CORRECTANSWER After taking oath of office
and bond are filed on time
Who do you file oath and bond with -CORRECTANSWER county clerk
Where is a notary's commission limited to? -CORRECTANSWER State of california; not
only a certain county
What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed -CORRECTANSWER Surety bond
for 15,000
What is the purpose of the surety bond -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER 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 -
CORRECTANSWER -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 -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER Notify Secretary of State by certified mail within 30 days of
changing residence or business address
Fine for failing to notify of address change: -CORRECTANSWER $500
What are the two duties to respond to written requests -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER
yes.
How many journals can a notary keep -CORRECTANSWER one
Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? -CORRECTANSWER -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 -
CORRECTANSWER -Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
Maximum fee per page of copy requests -CORRECTANSWER $0.30
How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of the journal -
CORRECTANSWER 15 calendar days
Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor or agent to inspect
journal -CORRECTANSWER yes
