Alabama Notary Public Qualification Exam Study
Guide: Practice Questions ,Answers and
Rationales
**1. Who appoints notaries public in Alabama?**
- A. The Governor
- B. The Secretary of State
- C. The Probate Judge
- D. The Attorney General
,**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** In Alabama, notaries public are appointed and commissioned by the judges of probate of the several counties of the state. The
probate judge of the county where the applicant resides has authority over the appointment .
---
**2. What is the term length for an Alabama notary public commission?**
- A. 2 years
- B. 3 years
- C. 4 years
- D. 5 years
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Alabama notary commissions are valid for four years from the date of commission. However, note that legislation has been
proposed to change this to two years effective October 1, 2026 .
---
**3. What is the application fee for a notary public commission in Alabama?**
- A. $5.00
- B. $10.00
,- C. $25.00
- D. $50.00
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Each applicant for a notary public commission must pay a ten dollar ($10) application fee to the probate judge .
---
**4. Where must a notary applicant reside to apply for a commission?**
- A. Any U.S. state
- B. In the county of application
- C. In Alabama for at least one year
- D. In the same district as the probate judge
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A judge of probate shall deny an application if the applicant is not a resident of this state or applies to a judge who is not the
probate judge of the county of the applicant's residence .
---
**5. Which of the following is NOT a ground for denying a notary application?**
, - A. Conviction of a felony
- B. Currently a debtor in bankruptcy
- C. Under an order adjudicating incapacity
- D. Being under the age of 21
**Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Grounds for denial include not being a state resident, applying to the wrong probate judge, felony conviction or crime of moral
turpitude, current bankruptcy debtor, incapacitation order, providing false information, or failing to complete required training. Age is not listed
as a disqualifying factor .
---
**6. What training is required for new notary applicants?**
- A. No training is required
- B. A program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and Alabama Law Institute
- C. A course from the National Notary Association
- D. On-the-job training with a supervising notary
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Before being commissioned, applicants must successfully complete a training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges
Association and the Alabama Law Institute .
Guide: Practice Questions ,Answers and
Rationales
**1. Who appoints notaries public in Alabama?**
- A. The Governor
- B. The Secretary of State
- C. The Probate Judge
- D. The Attorney General
,**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** In Alabama, notaries public are appointed and commissioned by the judges of probate of the several counties of the state. The
probate judge of the county where the applicant resides has authority over the appointment .
---
**2. What is the term length for an Alabama notary public commission?**
- A. 2 years
- B. 3 years
- C. 4 years
- D. 5 years
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Alabama notary commissions are valid for four years from the date of commission. However, note that legislation has been
proposed to change this to two years effective October 1, 2026 .
---
**3. What is the application fee for a notary public commission in Alabama?**
- A. $5.00
- B. $10.00
,- C. $25.00
- D. $50.00
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Each applicant for a notary public commission must pay a ten dollar ($10) application fee to the probate judge .
---
**4. Where must a notary applicant reside to apply for a commission?**
- A. Any U.S. state
- B. In the county of application
- C. In Alabama for at least one year
- D. In the same district as the probate judge
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A judge of probate shall deny an application if the applicant is not a resident of this state or applies to a judge who is not the
probate judge of the county of the applicant's residence .
---
**5. Which of the following is NOT a ground for denying a notary application?**
, - A. Conviction of a felony
- B. Currently a debtor in bankruptcy
- C. Under an order adjudicating incapacity
- D. Being under the age of 21
**Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Grounds for denial include not being a state resident, applying to the wrong probate judge, felony conviction or crime of moral
turpitude, current bankruptcy debtor, incapacitation order, providing false information, or failing to complete required training. Age is not listed
as a disqualifying factor .
---
**6. What training is required for new notary applicants?**
- A. No training is required
- B. A program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and Alabama Law Institute
- C. A course from the National Notary Association
- D. On-the-job training with a supervising notary
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Before being commissioned, applicants must successfully complete a training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges
Association and the Alabama Law Institute .
