HM2 ADVANCEMENT COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM SCRIPT WITH FULL SOLUTIONS 2026
⫸ Who issues commission? Answer: Secretary of State
⫸ When does commission become valid Answer: After taking oath of
office and bond are filed on time
⫸ Who do you file oath and bond with Answer: county clerk
⫸ Where is a notary's commission limited to? Answer: State of
california; not only a certain county
⫸ What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed Answer: Surety
bond for 15,000
⫸ What is the purpose of the surety bond 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? 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 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 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?
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: Answer: $500
⫸ What are the two duties to respond to written requests 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?
Answer: yes.
, ⫸ How many journals can a notary keep Answer: one
⫸ Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? 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 Answer: -Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
⫸ Maximum fee per page of copy requests Answer: $0.30
⫸ How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of
the journal Answer: 15 calendar days
⫸ Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor
or agent to inspect journal Answer: yes
⫸ Who has to be present when showing employer journal Answer: the
notary public
EXAM SCRIPT WITH FULL SOLUTIONS 2026
⫸ Who issues commission? Answer: Secretary of State
⫸ When does commission become valid Answer: After taking oath of
office and bond are filed on time
⫸ Who do you file oath and bond with Answer: county clerk
⫸ Where is a notary's commission limited to? Answer: State of
california; not only a certain county
⫸ What kind of bond and how much needs to be filed Answer: Surety
bond for 15,000
⫸ What is the purpose of the surety bond 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? 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 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 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?
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: Answer: $500
⫸ What are the two duties to respond to written requests 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?
Answer: yes.
, ⫸ How many journals can a notary keep Answer: one
⫸ Who can request photostatic copies of a notary's journal? 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 Answer: -Name of properties
-type of document
-month and year the act occurred
⫸ Maximum fee per page of copy requests Answer: $0.30
⫸ How long does the notary have to respond to requests for copies of
the journal Answer: 15 calendar days
⫸ Does an employee have to permit their employer, employer's auditor
or agent to inspect journal Answer: yes
⫸ Who has to be present when showing employer journal Answer: the
notary public
