California Notary Public Exam
Critical commencement date -correct answer-commencement date stated in the commission
NOT date commission was issued or mailed
Who issues commission? -correct answer-Secretary of State
When does commission become valid -correct answer-After taking oath of office and bond
are filed on time
Who do you file oath and bond with -correct answer-county clerk
Where is a notary's commission limited to? -correct answer-State of california; not only a
certain county
What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed -correct answer-Surety bond for 15,000
What is the purpose of the surety bond -correct answer-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? -
correct answer-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 -correct
answer--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 -correct answer-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? -correct answer-Notify
Secretary of State by certified mail within 30 days of changing residence or business address
Fine for failing to notify of address change: -correct answer-$500
What are the two duties to respond to written requests -correct answer-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? -correct answer-yes.
How many journals can a notary keep -correct answer-one
,Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? -correct answer--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 -correct answer-
-Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
Maximum fee per page of copy requests -correct answer-$0.30
How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of the journal -correct
answer-15 calendar days
Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor or agent to inspect
journal -correct answer-yes
Who has to be present when showing employer journal -correct answer-the notary public
How long does notary have to notify the Secretary of state of journal being taken by peace
officer -correct answer-10 days
How long goes notary have to notify secretary of state of lost, stolen or misplaced -correct
answer-immediately
How long after expiration does notary public have to return journal -correct answer-30 days
What items does notary seal have to include -correct answer--words Notary Public
-notary's name
-commission expiration date
-county where oath and bond were filed
-commission number
-sequential ID number for seal
When may someone use an embosser seal -correct answer-if it is also inked
When is a seal not required -correct answer-acknowledgements on a CA subdivision map
since the material used for maps isnt compatible with inks
What is included in the acknowledgment of the map -correct answer--Name
-county where notary's commission is
-expiration date
-signature goes above or adjacent to all this
, What must happen if Seal's impression is not clear -correct answer-It should not be fixed.
Should instead attach a seperate notorial certificate
How long does notary have to notify SoS of lost stolen or damaged seals? -correct answer-
immediate
Who is able to destroy the notary's seal -correct answer-The notary public or his
representative
Can a notary notarize a document written in foreign language they are not familiar with? -
correct answer-Yes.
What is the procedure / requirement for notarizing a document in another language that
notary isnt familiar with -correct answer--Notary must be able to communicate with the
signer
-swear or affirm the contents of affidavit
Can an interpreter be used? -correct answer-NO. Should refer customer to another notary if
they cannot communicate
What is the journal entry for a document in a foreign language that the notary cannot
identify -correct answer-"Document in a foreign language"
What consititutes satisfactory evidence -correct answer-1- paper identification documents
meeting certain reqs
2-oath of single credible witness
3-oath of two credible witnesses
What kinds of paper documents qualify as proper identification -correct answer--DMV
license
-US passport
-Passport issued by foreign county
-drivers licensees issued in Canada or Mexico (NOT ID CARDS FROM THESE COUNTRIES
MUST BE DRIVERS LICENSE)
-Military ID
-Inmate ID card if still in custody
-CA state/county/city employee ID card
When should a notary use a credible witness -correct answer--when there are not other
ways to identify the signer
Critical commencement date -correct answer-commencement date stated in the commission
NOT date commission was issued or mailed
Who issues commission? -correct answer-Secretary of State
When does commission become valid -correct answer-After taking oath of office and bond
are filed on time
Who do you file oath and bond with -correct answer-county clerk
Where is a notary's commission limited to? -correct answer-State of california; not only a
certain county
What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed -correct answer-Surety bond for 15,000
What is the purpose of the surety bond -correct answer-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? -
correct answer-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 -correct
answer--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 -correct answer-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? -correct answer-Notify
Secretary of State by certified mail within 30 days of changing residence or business address
Fine for failing to notify of address change: -correct answer-$500
What are the two duties to respond to written requests -correct answer-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? -correct answer-yes.
How many journals can a notary keep -correct answer-one
,Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? -correct answer--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 -correct answer-
-Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
Maximum fee per page of copy requests -correct answer-$0.30
How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of the journal -correct
answer-15 calendar days
Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor or agent to inspect
journal -correct answer-yes
Who has to be present when showing employer journal -correct answer-the notary public
How long does notary have to notify the Secretary of state of journal being taken by peace
officer -correct answer-10 days
How long goes notary have to notify secretary of state of lost, stolen or misplaced -correct
answer-immediately
How long after expiration does notary public have to return journal -correct answer-30 days
What items does notary seal have to include -correct answer--words Notary Public
-notary's name
-commission expiration date
-county where oath and bond were filed
-commission number
-sequential ID number for seal
When may someone use an embosser seal -correct answer-if it is also inked
When is a seal not required -correct answer-acknowledgements on a CA subdivision map
since the material used for maps isnt compatible with inks
What is included in the acknowledgment of the map -correct answer--Name
-county where notary's commission is
-expiration date
-signature goes above or adjacent to all this
, What must happen if Seal's impression is not clear -correct answer-It should not be fixed.
Should instead attach a seperate notorial certificate
How long does notary have to notify SoS of lost stolen or damaged seals? -correct answer-
immediate
Who is able to destroy the notary's seal -correct answer-The notary public or his
representative
Can a notary notarize a document written in foreign language they are not familiar with? -
correct answer-Yes.
What is the procedure / requirement for notarizing a document in another language that
notary isnt familiar with -correct answer--Notary must be able to communicate with the
signer
-swear or affirm the contents of affidavit
Can an interpreter be used? -correct answer-NO. Should refer customer to another notary if
they cannot communicate
What is the journal entry for a document in a foreign language that the notary cannot
identify -correct answer-"Document in a foreign language"
What consititutes satisfactory evidence -correct answer-1- paper identification documents
meeting certain reqs
2-oath of single credible witness
3-oath of two credible witnesses
What kinds of paper documents qualify as proper identification -correct answer--DMV
license
-US passport
-Passport issued by foreign county
-drivers licensees issued in Canada or Mexico (NOT ID CARDS FROM THESE COUNTRIES
MUST BE DRIVERS LICENSE)
-Military ID
-Inmate ID card if still in custody
-CA state/county/city employee ID card
When should a notary use a credible witness -correct answer--when there are not other
ways to identify the signer
