LOUISIANA NOTARY PUBLIC PRACTICE EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains:
1. Notarial Law and Revised Statutes (Title 35)
2. Notarial Acts and Forms (Authentic Acts)
3. Conflict of Interest and Ethics
4. Property Law and Real Estate Transfers
5. Successions, Wills, and Trusts
6. Oaths, Affidavits, and Depositions
7. Fees, Records, and Reporting Requirements
8. Identification and Witness Requirements
9. Prohibited Acts and Penalties
10. Jurisdiction and Venue
Introduction:
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge and
practical skills required of a Louisiana Notary Public. The test covers foundational
legal theory, regulatory compliance, and the ethical standards that govern the
profession. Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to apply Louisiana law to
complex, real-world scenarios involving authentic acts, property transfers,
successions, and other fiduciary duties. The questions are structured in a multiple-
choice format with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, decision-making, and the
practical application of statutes and jurisprudential principles to ensure the
candidate is fully prepared for the duties of the office.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
Question 1
A Notary Public in Louisiana is primarily considered an officer of which branch of
government for the purpose of their notarial duties?
A. Executive Branch
B. Judicial Branch
,C. Legislative Branch
D. Administrative Branch
🟢 B. Judicial Branch
🔴 Explanation: In Louisiana, Notaries Public are considered officers of the
Judicial Branch. This is a fundamental distinction from many other states where
they are considered executive officers. Their duties, such as witnessing signatures
and administering oaths, are judicial in nature.
Question 2
An authentic act is a written instrument that has been executed before a Notary
Public and:
A. A witness for the notary.
B. An attorney at law.
C. Two witnesses of lawful age.
D. The parish clerk of court.
🟢 C. Two witnesses of lawful age.
🔴 Explanation: Louisiana Civil Code Article 1833 defines an authentic act as a
written instrument executed before a Notary Public or other officer authorized to
perform that function, in the presence of two witnesses of lawful age. The
witnesses must be present at the time of signing.
Question 3
What is the maximum penalty a Louisiana Notary Public can be fined for
performing a notarial act after their commission has expired?
A. $100
B. $500
C. $1,000
D. $5,000
🟢 A. $100
🔴 Explanation: Revised Statute 35:12 provides that any person who exercises the
functions of a Notary Public after his commission has expired shall be fined not
more than one hundred dollars. This is a strict liability offense to protect the
public from unauthorized practice.
,Question 4
A Notary Public receives a document signed by a person who appears to be
intoxicated and unable to understand the nature of the act. What should the
Notary do?
A. Proceed with the notarization if the person can sign their name.
B. Notarize the document but note the person’s condition in the notarial
certificate.
C. Refuse to notarize the document until the person is fully competent.
D. Ask a family member to confirm the person’s intent.
🟢 C. Refuse to notarize the document until the person is fully competent.
🔴 Explanation: A Notary must ensure the signer is competent and understands
the nature and consequences of the act. Notarizing a document for a person
lacking mental capacity due to intoxication is a violation of professional
standards. The act could be declared null.
Question 5
Which of the following documents is considered an authentic act under Louisiana
law?
A. A photocopy of a birth certificate certified by the issuing authority.
B. A standard business contract signed by two parties without a notary.
C. An act of sale executed before a Notary and two witnesses.
D. An affidavit sworn before a clerk of court.
🟢 C. An act of sale executed before a Notary and two witnesses.
🔴 Explanation: An act of sale is a classic example of an authentic act if executed
with the proper formalities: before a Notary Public and two witnesses of lawful
age. This gives the document the full faith and credit of a public record.
Question 6
A Notary Public is asked to notarize a signature on a document that is written in a
foreign language. The Notary does not understand the language. Is this
permissible?
A. Yes, as long as the signer understands the document.
B. Yes, but the Notary must read a translation provided by the signer.
C. No, because the Notary cannot be certain of the document's content.
D. Yes, if the Notary confirms the signer’s identity with a valid ID.
, 🟢 C. No, because the Notary cannot be certain of the document's content.
🔴 Explanation: A Notary should not notarize a document if they cannot read or
understand it. While the Notary does not certify the content's truthfulness, they
are responsible for the form and ensuring the signer understands what they are
signing. Inability to read the text puts the Notary at risk of facilitating a fraudulent
or invalid act.
Question 7
According to Louisiana law, how many years must a Notary Public retain their
original notarial records (the bound book)?
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 15 years
D. Permanently
🟢 B. 10 years
🔴 Explanation: Revised Statute 35:191 mandates that every Notary Public shall
keep a bound book of his notarial acts and preserve the same for a period of ten
years. This is a crucial record-keeping requirement.
Question 8
A Notary Public's commission is for a term of:
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
🟢 C. 5 years
🔴 Explanation: Louisiana Notaries Public are commissioned for a term of five
years. Their commission runs from the date of the oath of office and expires on
that date five years later. They must reapply to be recommissioned.
Question 9
If a Notary Public is disbarred as an attorney, what happens to their notary
commission?
A. It is automatically suspended for the duration of the disbarment.
B. It becomes void automatically.
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains:
1. Notarial Law and Revised Statutes (Title 35)
2. Notarial Acts and Forms (Authentic Acts)
3. Conflict of Interest and Ethics
4. Property Law and Real Estate Transfers
5. Successions, Wills, and Trusts
6. Oaths, Affidavits, and Depositions
7. Fees, Records, and Reporting Requirements
8. Identification and Witness Requirements
9. Prohibited Acts and Penalties
10. Jurisdiction and Venue
Introduction:
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge and
practical skills required of a Louisiana Notary Public. The test covers foundational
legal theory, regulatory compliance, and the ethical standards that govern the
profession. Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to apply Louisiana law to
complex, real-world scenarios involving authentic acts, property transfers,
successions, and other fiduciary duties. The questions are structured in a multiple-
choice format with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, decision-making, and the
practical application of statutes and jurisprudential principles to ensure the
candidate is fully prepared for the duties of the office.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
Question 1
A Notary Public in Louisiana is primarily considered an officer of which branch of
government for the purpose of their notarial duties?
A. Executive Branch
B. Judicial Branch
,C. Legislative Branch
D. Administrative Branch
🟢 B. Judicial Branch
🔴 Explanation: In Louisiana, Notaries Public are considered officers of the
Judicial Branch. This is a fundamental distinction from many other states where
they are considered executive officers. Their duties, such as witnessing signatures
and administering oaths, are judicial in nature.
Question 2
An authentic act is a written instrument that has been executed before a Notary
Public and:
A. A witness for the notary.
B. An attorney at law.
C. Two witnesses of lawful age.
D. The parish clerk of court.
🟢 C. Two witnesses of lawful age.
🔴 Explanation: Louisiana Civil Code Article 1833 defines an authentic act as a
written instrument executed before a Notary Public or other officer authorized to
perform that function, in the presence of two witnesses of lawful age. The
witnesses must be present at the time of signing.
Question 3
What is the maximum penalty a Louisiana Notary Public can be fined for
performing a notarial act after their commission has expired?
A. $100
B. $500
C. $1,000
D. $5,000
🟢 A. $100
🔴 Explanation: Revised Statute 35:12 provides that any person who exercises the
functions of a Notary Public after his commission has expired shall be fined not
more than one hundred dollars. This is a strict liability offense to protect the
public from unauthorized practice.
,Question 4
A Notary Public receives a document signed by a person who appears to be
intoxicated and unable to understand the nature of the act. What should the
Notary do?
A. Proceed with the notarization if the person can sign their name.
B. Notarize the document but note the person’s condition in the notarial
certificate.
C. Refuse to notarize the document until the person is fully competent.
D. Ask a family member to confirm the person’s intent.
🟢 C. Refuse to notarize the document until the person is fully competent.
🔴 Explanation: A Notary must ensure the signer is competent and understands
the nature and consequences of the act. Notarizing a document for a person
lacking mental capacity due to intoxication is a violation of professional
standards. The act could be declared null.
Question 5
Which of the following documents is considered an authentic act under Louisiana
law?
A. A photocopy of a birth certificate certified by the issuing authority.
B. A standard business contract signed by two parties without a notary.
C. An act of sale executed before a Notary and two witnesses.
D. An affidavit sworn before a clerk of court.
🟢 C. An act of sale executed before a Notary and two witnesses.
🔴 Explanation: An act of sale is a classic example of an authentic act if executed
with the proper formalities: before a Notary Public and two witnesses of lawful
age. This gives the document the full faith and credit of a public record.
Question 6
A Notary Public is asked to notarize a signature on a document that is written in a
foreign language. The Notary does not understand the language. Is this
permissible?
A. Yes, as long as the signer understands the document.
B. Yes, but the Notary must read a translation provided by the signer.
C. No, because the Notary cannot be certain of the document's content.
D. Yes, if the Notary confirms the signer’s identity with a valid ID.
, 🟢 C. No, because the Notary cannot be certain of the document's content.
🔴 Explanation: A Notary should not notarize a document if they cannot read or
understand it. While the Notary does not certify the content's truthfulness, they
are responsible for the form and ensuring the signer understands what they are
signing. Inability to read the text puts the Notary at risk of facilitating a fraudulent
or invalid act.
Question 7
According to Louisiana law, how many years must a Notary Public retain their
original notarial records (the bound book)?
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 15 years
D. Permanently
🟢 B. 10 years
🔴 Explanation: Revised Statute 35:191 mandates that every Notary Public shall
keep a bound book of his notarial acts and preserve the same for a period of ten
years. This is a crucial record-keeping requirement.
Question 8
A Notary Public's commission is for a term of:
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
🟢 C. 5 years
🔴 Explanation: Louisiana Notaries Public are commissioned for a term of five
years. Their commission runs from the date of the oath of office and expires on
that date five years later. They must reapply to be recommissioned.
Question 9
If a Notary Public is disbarred as an attorney, what happens to their notary
commission?
A. It is automatically suspended for the duration of the disbarment.
B. It becomes void automatically.
