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*Core Domains*
*1. Utah Notary Public Act*
*2. Notarial Acts and Procedures*
*3. Ethical Standards and Professional Conduct*
*4. Jurisdiction and Authority*
*5. Record Keeping and Journal Requirements*
*6. Fraud Prevention and Identity Verification*
*7. Notarial Certificates and Seals*
*8. Administrative Rules and Penalties*
*Introduction*
*This examination serves to evaluate the competency of individuals seeking to perform
notarial acts within the state of Utah. It covers foundational legal theory, precise procedural
requirements, and the ethical responsibilities inherent in the office of a Notary Public.
Through a series of multiple-choice and complex scenario-based questions, candidates must
demonstrate mastery of state statutes and the ability to apply these regulations to real-
world situations. Success on this exam requires an in-depth understanding of identity
verification, document integrity, and the administrative obligations mandated by the
Lieutenant Governor’s office to ensure public trust and legal document security.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A notary public may perform a notarial act for an individual who is not physically
present if: A. The signer is a family member. B. The notary uses a reliable
communication technology meeting state requirements. C. The notary knows the
signer personally for over ten years. D. A witness confirms the identity via telephone.
B. Option Explanation: Utah law permits remote online notarization when the notary
utilizes approved communication technology that allows for real-time interaction and secure
identity verification.
, 2. Which of the following is considered satisfactory evidence of identity? A. A personal
introduction by a neighbor. B. A social media profile verification. C. A passport issued
by a foreign government. D. A high school identification card with no expiration date.
C. Option Explanation: A passport is a government-issued document containing a
photograph and signature, which is standard for verifying identity under state notary
guidelines.
3. If a notary public moves their residence to a different county within Utah, they must:
A. Immediately resign their commission. B. Do nothing, as the commission is
statewide. C. Notify the Lieutenant Governor’s office of the change of address. D.
Apply for a new commission under the new county.
C. Option Explanation: Statutes require that the Lieutenant Governor’s office be
notified of any change in a notary’s residential or business address to maintain accurate
records.
4. When a journal entry is required, which information must be recorded? A. The social
security number of the signer. B. The date, time, and type of notarial act. C. The full
transcript of the document notarized. D. The home address of the witness.
B. Option Explanation: The notary journal must contain the date, time, type of act,
and identifying information of the principal signer to ensure a traceable record of the
transaction.
5. A notary public is prohibited from notarizing a document if: A. The document is
written in a language the notary does not understand. B. The notary is named as a
beneficiary in the document. C. The document is a real estate deed. D. The signer is
over the age of 80.
B. Option Explanation: A notary cannot perform an act where they have a direct
financial or beneficial interest, as this constitutes a conflict of interest.
6. What is the primary purpose of a notary seal? A. To make the document look official.
B. To provide proof that a notarial act was performed by a commissioned official. C.
To prevent the document from being photocopied. D. To replace the need for a
signature.
B. Option Explanation: The seal acts as the official signature of the notary,
authenticating that the notary was acting within their legal capacity during the performance
of the act.
7. How long must a notary keep their journal? A. One year after the commission
expires. B. Five years from the date of the last entry. C. Ten years from the date of the
last entry. D. Permanently.
, B. Option Explanation: Current regulations mandate the retention of the notarial
journal for a period of five years following the date of the last recorded act.
8. If a signer appears confused or mentally incapacitated, the notary should: A. Ask the
signer’s family member to sign for them. B. Refuse to perform the notarial act. C.
Proceed with caution and document the confusion. D. Contact the police
immediately.
B. Option Explanation: A notary must verify that the signer is acting of their own free
will and is competent; if there is doubt regarding capacity, the act should not be performed.
9. A jurat is a notarial act that requires: A. The signer to acknowledge the document
was signed voluntarily. B. The signer to sign the document in the presence of the
notary and swear an oath. C. The notary to verify the copy of a document. D. The
notary to certify a photo.
B. Option Explanation: A jurat requires the signer to sign the document in the
notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the contents.
10. If a notary seal is lost or stolen, the notary must: A. Order a new one and wait for it
to arrive. B. Notify the Lieutenant Governor’s office immediately. C. File a police
report only. D. Ignore the loss as long as they don't use it.
B. Option Explanation: The loss or theft of a seal is a security breach that must be
reported to the commissioning authority to prevent unauthorized use of the notary's
credentials.
11. A notary can notarize for a family member if: A. It is a minor matter. B. The notary
does not receive a fee. C. It is allowed under specific statutory exceptions, though
generally discouraged. D. Never, regardless of circumstances.
C. Option Explanation: While generally advised against to avoid appearance of bias,
Utah law allows notarization for relatives unless the notary is a named party or has a
financial interest.
12. The term of a Utah notary commission is: A. Two years. B. Three years. C. Four years.
D. Five years.
C. Option Explanation: A Utah notary commission is valid for a period of four years
from the date of issuance.
13. What should a notary do if the venue on a document is incorrect? A. Change the
venue to the location where the notarization is actually taking place. B. Leave it as is,
because the signer wrote it. C. Ask the signer to cross it out and initial it. D. Refuse to
notarize the document.
, A. Option Explanation: The venue represents where the act is occurring; the notary
must ensure the document accurately reflects the location where they are standing.
14. An acknowledgment requires the signer to: A. Swear under oath that the document
is true. B. Declare that they signed the document voluntarily for its stated purpose. C.
Provide two forms of identification. D. Sign the document in the presence of the
notary.
B. Option Explanation: An acknowledgment confirms that the signer executed the
document voluntarily; they do not necessarily need to sign in the notary's presence if they
acknowledge it previously.
15. If a signer refuses to pay the notary fee, the notary: A. Can hold the document as
collateral. B. Can report the signer to the police. C. Must perform the service anyway.
D. May refuse to perform the service.
D. Option Explanation: Notaries are entitled to charge fees; if the fee is not agreed
upon or paid, they are not obligated to perform the professional service.
16. Which of the following is NOT a required element of a notarial certificate? A. The
notary’s printed name. B. The notary’s commission expiration date. C. The notary’s
social security number. D. The signature of the notary.
C. Option Explanation: Social security numbers are personal information and should
never appear on a notarial certificate, as they pose a significant privacy risk.
17. A notary’s authority is limited to: A. The county where they reside. B. The entire state
of Utah. C. The United States. D. The zip code where they are commissioned.
B. Option Explanation: A Utah notary commission grants authority to perform
notarial acts anywhere within the geographic boundaries of the state of Utah.
18. What is the standard fee for a routine acknowledgment in Utah? A. It is set by the
state. B. It is negotiable, but must be reasonable. C. It is always free. D. It is set at 50
dollars per signature.
B. Option Explanation: Utah does not strictly fix notary fees by statute; however, fees
must be reasonable and disclosed prior to the service.
19. A notary is asked to notarize a blank document. The notary should: A. Sign it, but tell
the signer to fill it in later. B. Refuse to notarize a blank document. C. Fill in the blanks
themselves to save time. D. Ask the signer to sign it twice.
B. Option Explanation: Notarizing a blank document is a dangerous practice that
facilitates fraud; the document must be complete before the notarial act occurs.