Pennsylvania Notary Public Advanced
Prep: Master Notarial Law & Practice
Questions
Subject: Pennsylvania Notary Public Law and Notarial Practice
Question 1: A Notary Public is presented with a document signed by a person who is clearly
under the influence of a potent sedative, yet the person insists they understand the document.
According to the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), what is the Notary's
mandatory course of action?
A) Proceed with the notarization as long as the signer has a valid photo ID.
B) Refuse the notarization because the signer lacks the necessary capacity to execute a knowing
and voluntary act.
C) Notarize the document but note the signer's condition in the journal.
D) Ask a witness to sign an affidavit stating the signer is competent.
Correct Answer: B) Refuse the notarization because the signer lacks the necessary capacity
to execute a knowing and voluntary act.
Explanation: Under RULONA, a Notary must be satisfied that the signer is competent and is
acting of their own free will. A person under the influence of a substance that impairs their
cognitive ability cannot meet the "knowing and voluntary" standard required for a lawful
notarization. Proceeding under these circumstances would be a violation of the Notary’s duty to
ensure the integrity of the act.
Question 2: Under Pennsylvania law, which of the following is a Notary Public explicitly
prohibited from doing?
A) Charging a fee for a travel service in addition to the standard notarial fee.
B) Acting as a witness to a signature they have also notarized.
C) Notarizing a document for a close relative.
D) Including the words "Notario Publico" in an advertisement.
Correct Answer: D) Including the words "Notario Publico" in an advertisement.
,Explanation: Pennsylvania law strictly prohibits a Notary from using the term "Notario Publico"
or any equivalent in any language other than English in an advertisement, as it may lead
Spanish-speaking individuals to believe the Notary is a licensed attorney (which is the case in
many civil law countries). This is considered the unauthorized practice of law.
Question 3: A Notary Public's commission is about to expire, and they wish to renew it. When
must the application for reappointment be submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth?
A) Within 30 days before the commission expires.
B) Not more than 6 months and not less than 2 months before the commission expires.
C) Exactly 90 days before the commission expires.
D) At any time prior to the expiration date.
Correct Answer: B) Not more than 6 months and not less than 2 months before the
commission expires.
Explanation: To ensure continuous service and processing time, the Secretary of the
Commonwealth requires that reappointment applications be submitted within the specific
window of 6 months to 2 months prior to the expiration of the current commission. Failure to
adhere to this timeline may result in a lapse of commission.
Question 4: Which of the following elements is NOT required in the official notarial seal of a
Pennsylvania Notary Public?
A) The words "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
B) The Notary's name and the words "Notary Public."
C) The name of the county in which the Notary maintains their office.
D) The expiration date of the Notary’s commission.
Correct Answer: D) The expiration date of the Notary’s commission.
Explanation: Per the RULONA provisions adopted in Pennsylvania, the expiration date is no
longer a required element of the physical notarial seal. The seal must contain the Notary's name,
the title "Notary Public," the Commonwealth’s name, and the county of the office. Including an
expiration date on the seal is permissible but is not a legal requirement under current law.
Question 5: A Notary Public is asked to notarize a document that contains blank spaces that
appear to be intended for additional information. What is the correct procedure?
A) Fill in the blank spaces with "N/A" and proceed.
,B) Refuse the notarization until the document is completed, as a document with blanks is
considered incomplete.
C) Ask the signer to sign an extra page explaining the blanks.
D) Proceed, provided the signer initials the blank spaces.
Correct Answer: B) Refuse the notarization until the document is completed, as a document
with blanks is considered incomplete.
Explanation: Notarizing a document with blanks is a major risk, as the document could be
altered after the notarization takes place. A Notary must ensure that a document is complete
before affixing their signature and seal. Accepting an incomplete document violates the principle
of verifying the document as a finalized instrument.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered a "Disqualifying Interest" under Pennsylvania
Notarial Law?
A) The Notary is a named party in the document.
B) The Notary is an employee of a company that is a party to the document, but the Notary has
no personal interest.
C) The Notary is the notary for the signer's employer.
D) The Notary receives a small fee for the service.
Correct Answer: A) The Notary is a named party in the document.
Explanation: A Notary Public cannot notarize a document if they are a party to the underlying
transaction or if they stand to benefit directly (other than receiving the statutory notarial fee). If
the Notary is named in the document or has a financial interest in the transaction, they are
disqualified from performing the act.
Question 7: A Notary Public uses their official seal to notarize a document for their spouse. Is
this valid?
A) Yes, as long as the spouse has proper identification.
B) No, it is a conflict of interest, and the act is voidable.
C) Yes, but the Notary must charge double the normal fee.
D) Only if the Notary is not named in the document.
Correct Answer: B) No, it is a conflict of interest, and the act is voidable.
, Explanation: RULONA prohibits a Notary from performing notarial acts for a spouse, domestic
partner, ancestor, descendant, or sibling. Performing an act for such a family member creates an
inherent conflict of interest, and the resulting notarization is legally tainted.
Question 8: If a Notary Public changes their business address, within what timeframe must they
notify the Department of State?
A) Immediately upon moving.
B) Within 10 days.
C) Within 30 days.
D) Before the next notarial act is performed.
Correct Answer: C) Within 30 days.
Explanation: Pennsylvania law requires a Notary Public to notify the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of any change in their office address, home address, or name within 30 days of
the change. This ensures that the Department of State maintains accurate records of where the
Notary is practicing.
Question 9: When performing a jurat, what is the most important component of the procedure?
A) The signer must acknowledge the signature.
B) The signer must be placed under oath or affirmation and sign in the Notary’s presence.
C) The Notary must check the signer's credit report.
D) The Notary must read the entire document aloud.
Correct Answer: B) The signer must be placed under oath or affirmation and sign in the
Notary’s presence.
Explanation: A jurat is a notarial act where the Notary certifies that the signer took an oath or
affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the contents of a document. Unlike an
acknowledgement, the signer must be present and under oath when the Notary performs the act.
Question 10: Which of the following is acceptable identification for a signer if the Notary does
not personally know them?
A) A social media profile.
B) A library card.
Prep: Master Notarial Law & Practice
Questions
Subject: Pennsylvania Notary Public Law and Notarial Practice
Question 1: A Notary Public is presented with a document signed by a person who is clearly
under the influence of a potent sedative, yet the person insists they understand the document.
According to the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), what is the Notary's
mandatory course of action?
A) Proceed with the notarization as long as the signer has a valid photo ID.
B) Refuse the notarization because the signer lacks the necessary capacity to execute a knowing
and voluntary act.
C) Notarize the document but note the signer's condition in the journal.
D) Ask a witness to sign an affidavit stating the signer is competent.
Correct Answer: B) Refuse the notarization because the signer lacks the necessary capacity
to execute a knowing and voluntary act.
Explanation: Under RULONA, a Notary must be satisfied that the signer is competent and is
acting of their own free will. A person under the influence of a substance that impairs their
cognitive ability cannot meet the "knowing and voluntary" standard required for a lawful
notarization. Proceeding under these circumstances would be a violation of the Notary’s duty to
ensure the integrity of the act.
Question 2: Under Pennsylvania law, which of the following is a Notary Public explicitly
prohibited from doing?
A) Charging a fee for a travel service in addition to the standard notarial fee.
B) Acting as a witness to a signature they have also notarized.
C) Notarizing a document for a close relative.
D) Including the words "Notario Publico" in an advertisement.
Correct Answer: D) Including the words "Notario Publico" in an advertisement.
,Explanation: Pennsylvania law strictly prohibits a Notary from using the term "Notario Publico"
or any equivalent in any language other than English in an advertisement, as it may lead
Spanish-speaking individuals to believe the Notary is a licensed attorney (which is the case in
many civil law countries). This is considered the unauthorized practice of law.
Question 3: A Notary Public's commission is about to expire, and they wish to renew it. When
must the application for reappointment be submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth?
A) Within 30 days before the commission expires.
B) Not more than 6 months and not less than 2 months before the commission expires.
C) Exactly 90 days before the commission expires.
D) At any time prior to the expiration date.
Correct Answer: B) Not more than 6 months and not less than 2 months before the
commission expires.
Explanation: To ensure continuous service and processing time, the Secretary of the
Commonwealth requires that reappointment applications be submitted within the specific
window of 6 months to 2 months prior to the expiration of the current commission. Failure to
adhere to this timeline may result in a lapse of commission.
Question 4: Which of the following elements is NOT required in the official notarial seal of a
Pennsylvania Notary Public?
A) The words "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
B) The Notary's name and the words "Notary Public."
C) The name of the county in which the Notary maintains their office.
D) The expiration date of the Notary’s commission.
Correct Answer: D) The expiration date of the Notary’s commission.
Explanation: Per the RULONA provisions adopted in Pennsylvania, the expiration date is no
longer a required element of the physical notarial seal. The seal must contain the Notary's name,
the title "Notary Public," the Commonwealth’s name, and the county of the office. Including an
expiration date on the seal is permissible but is not a legal requirement under current law.
Question 5: A Notary Public is asked to notarize a document that contains blank spaces that
appear to be intended for additional information. What is the correct procedure?
A) Fill in the blank spaces with "N/A" and proceed.
,B) Refuse the notarization until the document is completed, as a document with blanks is
considered incomplete.
C) Ask the signer to sign an extra page explaining the blanks.
D) Proceed, provided the signer initials the blank spaces.
Correct Answer: B) Refuse the notarization until the document is completed, as a document
with blanks is considered incomplete.
Explanation: Notarizing a document with blanks is a major risk, as the document could be
altered after the notarization takes place. A Notary must ensure that a document is complete
before affixing their signature and seal. Accepting an incomplete document violates the principle
of verifying the document as a finalized instrument.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered a "Disqualifying Interest" under Pennsylvania
Notarial Law?
A) The Notary is a named party in the document.
B) The Notary is an employee of a company that is a party to the document, but the Notary has
no personal interest.
C) The Notary is the notary for the signer's employer.
D) The Notary receives a small fee for the service.
Correct Answer: A) The Notary is a named party in the document.
Explanation: A Notary Public cannot notarize a document if they are a party to the underlying
transaction or if they stand to benefit directly (other than receiving the statutory notarial fee). If
the Notary is named in the document or has a financial interest in the transaction, they are
disqualified from performing the act.
Question 7: A Notary Public uses their official seal to notarize a document for their spouse. Is
this valid?
A) Yes, as long as the spouse has proper identification.
B) No, it is a conflict of interest, and the act is voidable.
C) Yes, but the Notary must charge double the normal fee.
D) Only if the Notary is not named in the document.
Correct Answer: B) No, it is a conflict of interest, and the act is voidable.
, Explanation: RULONA prohibits a Notary from performing notarial acts for a spouse, domestic
partner, ancestor, descendant, or sibling. Performing an act for such a family member creates an
inherent conflict of interest, and the resulting notarization is legally tainted.
Question 8: If a Notary Public changes their business address, within what timeframe must they
notify the Department of State?
A) Immediately upon moving.
B) Within 10 days.
C) Within 30 days.
D) Before the next notarial act is performed.
Correct Answer: C) Within 30 days.
Explanation: Pennsylvania law requires a Notary Public to notify the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of any change in their office address, home address, or name within 30 days of
the change. This ensures that the Department of State maintains accurate records of where the
Notary is practicing.
Question 9: When performing a jurat, what is the most important component of the procedure?
A) The signer must acknowledge the signature.
B) The signer must be placed under oath or affirmation and sign in the Notary’s presence.
C) The Notary must check the signer's credit report.
D) The Notary must read the entire document aloud.
Correct Answer: B) The signer must be placed under oath or affirmation and sign in the
Notary’s presence.
Explanation: A jurat is a notarial act where the Notary certifies that the signer took an oath or
affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the contents of a document. Unlike an
acknowledgement, the signer must be present and under oath when the Notary performs the act.
Question 10: Which of the following is acceptable identification for a signer if the Notary does
not personally know them?
A) A social media profile.
B) A library card.
