UPDATED: NOTARY EXAM VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025/2026
If you give up your journal to a proper authority, you must notify The Secretary of State within how
many days? - ANS-10 days
If a notary public moves, he or she must contact the ___________________. - ANS-Secretary of State
If a notary moves, he or she must notify the proper authority within how many days? - ANS-30 days
If a notary performs a majority of his/her acts for an employer, the employer's address should be listed.
True or False? - ANS-True
Can a notary use a post office box as an address for their residence? - ANS-Only if they also provide their
home address
If a notary changes his or her name they must ________? - ANS-File a new oath within 30 days
Notaries must:
a) Keep meticulous copies of every document they notarized
b) Always charge for services
c) Keep their stamp and journal under their direct control. - ANS-c) Keep their stamp and journal under
their direct control.
A notary must keep all journal entries in sequential order. True or False? - ANS-True
,A member of the public can request a photo-static copy of the journal entry representing a transaction
as long as they include the name of the parties, the type of document and the month and year the
notarial act occurred. True or False? - ANS-True
What is one requirement in becoming a notary public in California?
a) Be at least 18 years of age
b) Pass a background check
c) Pass a proctored closed book exam
d) Be a legal resident of California
e) All of the above - ANS-e) All of the above
First time applicants must complete:
a) A one hour course
b) A two hour proctored course
c) A six hour state approved course
d) A three hour state approved course. - ANS-c) A six hour state approved course
An applicant convicted of a disqualifying crime may be denied appointment:
a) True
b) False - ANS-a) True
Applicants must disclose convictions dismissed under CA Penal Code section 1203.4 or 120.4a
a) True
b) False - ANS-a) True
One has how many days to take an oath of office after one's commencement date:
a) 6 months
b) 10 days
c) 30 days
, d) 60 days - ANS-c) 30 days
Denial of commission can be made if:
a) An applicant has a moral turpitude offense on his or her record
b) An applicant leaves out any pertinent arrest information
c) An applicant has committed a felony
d) All of the above - ANS-
A bond must be purchased by the notary public in the amount of:
a) 100,000
b) 15,000
c) 30,000
d) 20,000 - ANS-b) 15,000
Notaries of Public Entities are allowed to perform notarial acts on their own time:
a) True
b) False - ANS-b) False
Using the words notario publico when advertising:
a) Can be a great way to gain business
b) Is allowed but only in CA.
c) Is prohibited
d) Is a great marketing tool - ANS-c) Is prohibited
The size of the notary stamp can be:
a) 3 inches
b) 1 inch in wide by 2 inches long
c) 2 inches by 6 inches - ANS-b) 1 inch in wide by 2 inches long
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025/2026
If you give up your journal to a proper authority, you must notify The Secretary of State within how
many days? - ANS-10 days
If a notary public moves, he or she must contact the ___________________. - ANS-Secretary of State
If a notary moves, he or she must notify the proper authority within how many days? - ANS-30 days
If a notary performs a majority of his/her acts for an employer, the employer's address should be listed.
True or False? - ANS-True
Can a notary use a post office box as an address for their residence? - ANS-Only if they also provide their
home address
If a notary changes his or her name they must ________? - ANS-File a new oath within 30 days
Notaries must:
a) Keep meticulous copies of every document they notarized
b) Always charge for services
c) Keep their stamp and journal under their direct control. - ANS-c) Keep their stamp and journal under
their direct control.
A notary must keep all journal entries in sequential order. True or False? - ANS-True
,A member of the public can request a photo-static copy of the journal entry representing a transaction
as long as they include the name of the parties, the type of document and the month and year the
notarial act occurred. True or False? - ANS-True
What is one requirement in becoming a notary public in California?
a) Be at least 18 years of age
b) Pass a background check
c) Pass a proctored closed book exam
d) Be a legal resident of California
e) All of the above - ANS-e) All of the above
First time applicants must complete:
a) A one hour course
b) A two hour proctored course
c) A six hour state approved course
d) A three hour state approved course. - ANS-c) A six hour state approved course
An applicant convicted of a disqualifying crime may be denied appointment:
a) True
b) False - ANS-a) True
Applicants must disclose convictions dismissed under CA Penal Code section 1203.4 or 120.4a
a) True
b) False - ANS-a) True
One has how many days to take an oath of office after one's commencement date:
a) 6 months
b) 10 days
c) 30 days
, d) 60 days - ANS-c) 30 days
Denial of commission can be made if:
a) An applicant has a moral turpitude offense on his or her record
b) An applicant leaves out any pertinent arrest information
c) An applicant has committed a felony
d) All of the above - ANS-
A bond must be purchased by the notary public in the amount of:
a) 100,000
b) 15,000
c) 30,000
d) 20,000 - ANS-b) 15,000
Notaries of Public Entities are allowed to perform notarial acts on their own time:
a) True
b) False - ANS-b) False
Using the words notario publico when advertising:
a) Can be a great way to gain business
b) Is allowed but only in CA.
c) Is prohibited
d) Is a great marketing tool - ANS-c) Is prohibited
The size of the notary stamp can be:
a) 3 inches
b) 1 inch in wide by 2 inches long
c) 2 inches by 6 inches - ANS-b) 1 inch in wide by 2 inches long
