New Jersey Notary Public Exam Prep
Questions & Answers with Rationales
This is an original study set covering the New Jersey Law on Notarial Acts, P.L.
2021, c.179 (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq.), and the associated New Jersey Notary
Public Manual issued by the Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue
and Enterprise Services. Topics include eligibility and commissioning, the oath
of office, scope of authority and prohibited acts, discipline of a commission,
certificates and stamps, journal requirements, identification and copy
certification, remote online and electronic notarization, and statutory fees. Each
question is followed immediately by the correct answer and a rationale
grounded in New Jersey notarial law.
, 1. Eligibility & Commissioning
1. What is the minimum age requirement to be commissioned as a notary
public in New Jersey?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Answer: B. 18
Rationale: A person must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment
to be commissioned as a New Jersey notary public.
2. A person may qualify for a New Jersey notary commission if they are:
A. A resident of NJ only
B. A legal resident of NJ or have a place of employment or practice in NJ
C. A licensed NJ attorney only
D. A U.S. citizen residing anywhere
Answer: B. A legal resident of NJ or have a place of employment or
practice in NJ
Rationale: Eligibility requires being a legal resident of New Jersey or having a
place of employment or practice in the state; there is no citizenship
requirement.
3. Who commissions notaries public in New Jersey?
A. The Governor
B. The State Treasurer
C. The Secretary of State
D. The County Clerk
Answer: B. The State Treasurer
Rationale: New Jersey notaries public are commissioned by the State
Treasurer, through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
4. What is the term length of a New Jersey notary public commission?
, A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 5 years
Rationale: A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for a five-year term
and may be renewed for additional five-year periods.
5. Which requirement applies to a non-attorney applicant for an initial New
Jersey notary commission?
A. No education or testing is required
B. Completion of a State Treasurer-approved six-hour course and passing
an examination
C. A 40-hour paralegal course
D. A background check only, with no exam
Answer: B. Completion of a State Treasurer-approved six-hour course
and passing an examination
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants for an initial commission must complete a
six-hour course of study approved by the State Treasurer and pass a
prescribed examination.
6. Licensed New Jersey attorneys applying for a notary commission are:
A. Required to complete the same six-hour course and exam as
non-attorneys
B. Exempt from the education, exam, and legislator-endorsement
requirements imposed on non-attorney applicants
C. Prohibited from becoming notaries
D. Required to complete a twelve-hour course
Answer: B. Exempt from the education, exam, and legislator-endorsement
requirements imposed on non-attorney applicants
Rationale: The education and testing requirements apply specifically to
non-attorney applicants; licensed attorneys are treated differently in the
commissioning process.
, 7. What continuing education is generally required for a notary renewing a
commission who previously completed the initial six-hour course and
exam?
A. No continuing education is required
B. A three-hour continuing education course
C. Another full six-hour course and exam
D. A one-hour refresher video only
Answer: B. A three-hour continuing education course
Rationale: A notary renewing a commission after having already completed the
six-hour course and exam must complete a three-hour continuing education
course.
8. All applications for a New Jersey notary commission, whether new or
renewal, must be:
A. Submitted only on paper
B. Endorsed by a member of the State Legislature and submitted
electronically
C. Notarized by another notary
D. Approved by the county sheriff
Answer: B. Endorsed by a member of the State Legislature and submitted
electronically
Rationale: Applications must be made on the prescribed form, endorsed by a
member of the Legislature, and submitted electronically through the State
Treasurer's designated system.
9. What is the non-refundable fee for a notary public commission
application in New Jersey?
A. $10.00
B. $25.00
C. $50.00
D. $100.00
Answer: B. $25.00
Questions & Answers with Rationales
This is an original study set covering the New Jersey Law on Notarial Acts, P.L.
2021, c.179 (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10 et seq.), and the associated New Jersey Notary
Public Manual issued by the Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue
and Enterprise Services. Topics include eligibility and commissioning, the oath
of office, scope of authority and prohibited acts, discipline of a commission,
certificates and stamps, journal requirements, identification and copy
certification, remote online and electronic notarization, and statutory fees. Each
question is followed immediately by the correct answer and a rationale
grounded in New Jersey notarial law.
, 1. Eligibility & Commissioning
1. What is the minimum age requirement to be commissioned as a notary
public in New Jersey?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Answer: B. 18
Rationale: A person must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment
to be commissioned as a New Jersey notary public.
2. A person may qualify for a New Jersey notary commission if they are:
A. A resident of NJ only
B. A legal resident of NJ or have a place of employment or practice in NJ
C. A licensed NJ attorney only
D. A U.S. citizen residing anywhere
Answer: B. A legal resident of NJ or have a place of employment or
practice in NJ
Rationale: Eligibility requires being a legal resident of New Jersey or having a
place of employment or practice in the state; there is no citizenship
requirement.
3. Who commissions notaries public in New Jersey?
A. The Governor
B. The State Treasurer
C. The Secretary of State
D. The County Clerk
Answer: B. The State Treasurer
Rationale: New Jersey notaries public are commissioned by the State
Treasurer, through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
4. What is the term length of a New Jersey notary public commission?
, A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 5 years
Rationale: A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for a five-year term
and may be renewed for additional five-year periods.
5. Which requirement applies to a non-attorney applicant for an initial New
Jersey notary commission?
A. No education or testing is required
B. Completion of a State Treasurer-approved six-hour course and passing
an examination
C. A 40-hour paralegal course
D. A background check only, with no exam
Answer: B. Completion of a State Treasurer-approved six-hour course
and passing an examination
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants for an initial commission must complete a
six-hour course of study approved by the State Treasurer and pass a
prescribed examination.
6. Licensed New Jersey attorneys applying for a notary commission are:
A. Required to complete the same six-hour course and exam as
non-attorneys
B. Exempt from the education, exam, and legislator-endorsement
requirements imposed on non-attorney applicants
C. Prohibited from becoming notaries
D. Required to complete a twelve-hour course
Answer: B. Exempt from the education, exam, and legislator-endorsement
requirements imposed on non-attorney applicants
Rationale: The education and testing requirements apply specifically to
non-attorney applicants; licensed attorneys are treated differently in the
commissioning process.
, 7. What continuing education is generally required for a notary renewing a
commission who previously completed the initial six-hour course and
exam?
A. No continuing education is required
B. A three-hour continuing education course
C. Another full six-hour course and exam
D. A one-hour refresher video only
Answer: B. A three-hour continuing education course
Rationale: A notary renewing a commission after having already completed the
six-hour course and exam must complete a three-hour continuing education
course.
8. All applications for a New Jersey notary commission, whether new or
renewal, must be:
A. Submitted only on paper
B. Endorsed by a member of the State Legislature and submitted
electronically
C. Notarized by another notary
D. Approved by the county sheriff
Answer: B. Endorsed by a member of the State Legislature and submitted
electronically
Rationale: Applications must be made on the prescribed form, endorsed by a
member of the Legislature, and submitted electronically through the State
Treasurer's designated system.
9. What is the non-refundable fee for a notary public commission
application in New Jersey?
A. $10.00
B. $25.00
C. $50.00
D. $100.00
Answer: B. $25.00
