PA NOTARY EXAM WITH 100% CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS 2024

What is a notary public? - ANSWER- An appointed and commissioned public officer whose function is to perform notarial acts as an impartial witness. What are the duties of a notary public? - ANSWER- Administering oaths or affirmations; certifying copies and taking depositions, verifications, acknowledgments; witnessing or attesting a signature; noting a protest of a negotiable instrument; performing other duties specified by law. Proper notarization requires the following: - ANSWER- Verify the signer's signature; visually scan the document for blank spaces or incompleteness; verify the document's date including signature dates; record notarial acts in your journal before completing the notarization; verify the correct notarial wording; affix your signature and seal properly and legibly; NEVER GIVE ADVICE. To become a notary public in PA, you must: - ANSWER- Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the US; be a resident of or have a place of employment in the Commonwealth (physical business address); be able to read and write English; have passed a required examination administered by the department; be able to comply with any other requirements established by the department; be at least 18 years of age; not have been disqualified to receive a commission under section 323. Who cannot become a notary public? - ANSWER- Anyone who holds a judicial office in the Commonwealth, except for the office of Magisterial District Justice; every member of Congress and any person holding any office or appointment of profit or trust under the legislative, executive, or judiciary departments of the US to which compensation is attached; Any person who has been convicted of or accepted Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition for any felony offense or any misdemeanor offense involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit as set forth in 167.121 within five years preceding the date of application for appointment, though this may be rebutted under extraordinary circumstances; any member of the General Assembly of PA. A notary public applicant will not be issued a notary public commission unless: - ANSWER- The applicant has submitted an application on a form prescribed and furnished by the secretary of the Commonwealth accompanied by the appropriate non-refundable filing fee; the applicant has verified that he or she is of good moral character, and is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a notary public as determined by the secretary of the Commonwealth; the applicant has not made a material misstatement or omission of fact in the application; the applicant has provided proof of completion of a 3-hour preapproved notary public course within 6 months preceding application; the applicant has not been convicted of or pled guilty of a felony or lesser offense incompatible with the duties of a notary public during the 5 year period preceding the date of application; the applicant has not had a prior notary public commission revoked by the Commonwealth or any other state during the 5 year period preceding the date of application. A notary commission which began on January 1, 2017 (12:00 am) will end on: - ANSWER- January 1, 2021 (11:59pm) A notary public is not licensed to practice law and may not, under any circumstances, give legal advice unless he/she is a licensed attorney. - ANSWER- True You must be employed in or a legal resident of PA to be eligible to become a notary public in this state. - ANSWER- True The notary public term of office is ____ years. - ANSWER- Four Applications for reappointment should be filed at least ____ prior to the expiration of commission. - ANSWER- Two to three months Notaries public are required to execute a ___ bond following appointment. - ANSWER- $10,000