Texas Notary Public Certification Exam 200 Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
1: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Texas?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 19 years
D. 25 years
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 18 years
Rationale: Under Texas Government Code §406.016, an applicant for a notary public
commission must be at least 18 years of age, be a legal resident of Texas, and meet other
statutory qualifications.
2: Which Texas agency commissions and regulates notaries public?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
B. Texas Secretary of State
C. Texas Attorney General
D. County Clerk's Office
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Texas Secretary of State
Rationale: The Texas Secretary of State's Notary Public Section is responsible for appointing,
commissioning, and regulating notaries public throughout the state.
3: What is the standard term of a Texas notary public commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Life
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4 years
Rationale: Texas notary commissions are valid for a term of four years from the date of
appointment, after which the notary must apply for renewal.
4: Which of the following is NOT a qualification to become a Texas notary public?
A. Be a legal resident of Texas
B. Be at least 18 years old
,C. Have a college degree
D. Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Have a college degree
Rationale: Texas law does not require a college degree for notary qualification. Required
qualifications include age (18+), Texas residency, and no disqualifying criminal convictions.
5: What is the primary purpose of a notary public's official seal or stamp in Texas?
A. To decorate documents
B. To authenticate the notary's signature and commission details
C. To increase the document's monetary value
D. To replace the need for a signature
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To authenticate the notary's signature and commission details
Rationale: The official seal authenticates the notary's act by displaying the notary's name,
commission number, and expiration date, providing verification of the notary's authority.
6: Which notarial act requires the signer to personally appear before the notary and
acknowledge signing a document voluntarily?
A. Jurat
B. Oath
C. Acknowledgment
D. Copy certification
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Acknowledgment
Rationale: An acknowledgment requires the signer to personally appear, be identified by the
notary, and acknowledge signing the document voluntarily for its intended purpose.
7: What is the key difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment in Texas?
A. A jurat requires an oath or affirmation; an acknowledgment does not
B. An acknowledgment requires an oath; a jurat does not
C. They are identical in Texas
D. Only a jurat requires personal appearance
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A jurat requires an oath or affirmation; an acknowledgment does not
Rationale: A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm under oath that the contents of the
document are true, while an acknowledgment only requires acknowledgment of voluntary
signing.
,8: Which of the following documents may a Texas notary certify as a true copy?
A. Birth certificates
B. Driver's licenses
C. Documents not recordable in public records (if not prohibited by law)
D. Marriage licenses
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Documents not recordable in public records (if not prohibited by law)
Rationale: Texas notaries may certify copies of documents that are not recordable in public
records, provided no other law prohibits it. Recordable documents (birth certificates, etc.) must
be certified by the recording agency.
9: What is the maximum fee a Texas notary may charge for performing an acknowledgment?
A. $5.00
B. $6.00
C. $10.00
D. No limit
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $6.00
Rationale: Texas Government Code §406.024 sets the maximum fee for an acknowledgment at
$6.00 per signature. Fees for other acts are similarly capped.
10: Is a Texas notary required to keep a journal of notarial acts?
A. Yes, for all notarial acts
B. Yes, but only for electronic notarizations
C. No, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice
D. Only if the notary chooses to
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice
Rationale: Texas law does not mandate a journal, but the Secretary of State strongly
recommends maintaining one as a protective record of notarial acts performed.
11: Which of the following is a prohibited act for a Texas notary public?
A. Refusing to notarize a document due to disagreement with its content
B. Notarizing a document where the signer is not physically present
C. Charging the statutory maximum fee
D. Advertising notary services
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Notarizing a document where the signer is not physically present
, Rationale: Texas law requires the signer to personally appear before the notary at the time of
notarization, except for authorized remote online notarizations under specific rules.
12: What information must appear on a Texas notary's official seal?
A. Notary's name, commission number, and expiration date
B. Notary's name, county of commission, and commission expiration date
C. Notary's name, "Notary Public, State of Texas," and commission expiration date
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: Texas Administrative Code §87.40 requires the seal to include the notary's name, the
words "Notary Public, State of Texas," the commission number, and the commission expiration
date.
13: Can a Texas notary notarize a document in which they have a financial interest?
A. Yes, if they disclose the interest
B. No, it is prohibited
C. Yes, if the document is for a family member
D. Only if another notary is unavailable
CORRECT ANSWER: B. No, it is prohibited
Rationale: Texas law prohibits a notary from performing a notarial act in which they have a
direct financial or beneficial interest, as it creates a conflict of interest.
14: What is the proper procedure if a signer cannot sign their name?
A. The notary may sign for them
B. The signer may make a mark, which the notary witnesses and documents
C. The document cannot be notarized
D. A witness must sign for the signer
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The signer may make a mark, which the notary witnesses and
documents
Rationale: A signer who cannot sign may make a mark (e.g., an "X"), which the notary witnesses.
The notary should document the circumstance in the notarial certificate or journal.
15: Which of the following is acceptable identification for a Texas notary to verify a signer's
identity?
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
1: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Texas?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 19 years
D. 25 years
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 18 years
Rationale: Under Texas Government Code §406.016, an applicant for a notary public
commission must be at least 18 years of age, be a legal resident of Texas, and meet other
statutory qualifications.
2: Which Texas agency commissions and regulates notaries public?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
B. Texas Secretary of State
C. Texas Attorney General
D. County Clerk's Office
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Texas Secretary of State
Rationale: The Texas Secretary of State's Notary Public Section is responsible for appointing,
commissioning, and regulating notaries public throughout the state.
3: What is the standard term of a Texas notary public commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Life
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4 years
Rationale: Texas notary commissions are valid for a term of four years from the date of
appointment, after which the notary must apply for renewal.
4: Which of the following is NOT a qualification to become a Texas notary public?
A. Be a legal resident of Texas
B. Be at least 18 years old
,C. Have a college degree
D. Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Have a college degree
Rationale: Texas law does not require a college degree for notary qualification. Required
qualifications include age (18+), Texas residency, and no disqualifying criminal convictions.
5: What is the primary purpose of a notary public's official seal or stamp in Texas?
A. To decorate documents
B. To authenticate the notary's signature and commission details
C. To increase the document's monetary value
D. To replace the need for a signature
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To authenticate the notary's signature and commission details
Rationale: The official seal authenticates the notary's act by displaying the notary's name,
commission number, and expiration date, providing verification of the notary's authority.
6: Which notarial act requires the signer to personally appear before the notary and
acknowledge signing a document voluntarily?
A. Jurat
B. Oath
C. Acknowledgment
D. Copy certification
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Acknowledgment
Rationale: An acknowledgment requires the signer to personally appear, be identified by the
notary, and acknowledge signing the document voluntarily for its intended purpose.
7: What is the key difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment in Texas?
A. A jurat requires an oath or affirmation; an acknowledgment does not
B. An acknowledgment requires an oath; a jurat does not
C. They are identical in Texas
D. Only a jurat requires personal appearance
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A jurat requires an oath or affirmation; an acknowledgment does not
Rationale: A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm under oath that the contents of the
document are true, while an acknowledgment only requires acknowledgment of voluntary
signing.
,8: Which of the following documents may a Texas notary certify as a true copy?
A. Birth certificates
B. Driver's licenses
C. Documents not recordable in public records (if not prohibited by law)
D. Marriage licenses
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Documents not recordable in public records (if not prohibited by law)
Rationale: Texas notaries may certify copies of documents that are not recordable in public
records, provided no other law prohibits it. Recordable documents (birth certificates, etc.) must
be certified by the recording agency.
9: What is the maximum fee a Texas notary may charge for performing an acknowledgment?
A. $5.00
B. $6.00
C. $10.00
D. No limit
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $6.00
Rationale: Texas Government Code §406.024 sets the maximum fee for an acknowledgment at
$6.00 per signature. Fees for other acts are similarly capped.
10: Is a Texas notary required to keep a journal of notarial acts?
A. Yes, for all notarial acts
B. Yes, but only for electronic notarizations
C. No, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice
D. Only if the notary chooses to
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice
Rationale: Texas law does not mandate a journal, but the Secretary of State strongly
recommends maintaining one as a protective record of notarial acts performed.
11: Which of the following is a prohibited act for a Texas notary public?
A. Refusing to notarize a document due to disagreement with its content
B. Notarizing a document where the signer is not physically present
C. Charging the statutory maximum fee
D. Advertising notary services
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Notarizing a document where the signer is not physically present
, Rationale: Texas law requires the signer to personally appear before the notary at the time of
notarization, except for authorized remote online notarizations under specific rules.
12: What information must appear on a Texas notary's official seal?
A. Notary's name, commission number, and expiration date
B. Notary's name, county of commission, and commission expiration date
C. Notary's name, "Notary Public, State of Texas," and commission expiration date
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: Texas Administrative Code §87.40 requires the seal to include the notary's name, the
words "Notary Public, State of Texas," the commission number, and the commission expiration
date.
13: Can a Texas notary notarize a document in which they have a financial interest?
A. Yes, if they disclose the interest
B. No, it is prohibited
C. Yes, if the document is for a family member
D. Only if another notary is unavailable
CORRECT ANSWER: B. No, it is prohibited
Rationale: Texas law prohibits a notary from performing a notarial act in which they have a
direct financial or beneficial interest, as it creates a conflict of interest.
14: What is the proper procedure if a signer cannot sign their name?
A. The notary may sign for them
B. The signer may make a mark, which the notary witnesses and documents
C. The document cannot be notarized
D. A witness must sign for the signer
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The signer may make a mark, which the notary witnesses and
documents
Rationale: A signer who cannot sign may make a mark (e.g., an "X"), which the notary witnesses.
The notary should document the circumstance in the notarial certificate or journal.
15: Which of the following is acceptable identification for a Texas notary to verify a signer's
identity?
