Notary Public Exam (California) Latest
Update with Verified Solutions
1: What is one requirement for becoming a California Notary Public? ✔✔Be a legal resident of
California
2: Your jurisdiction will be: ✔✔The entire
...
Notary Public Exam (California) Latest
Update with Verified Solutions
1: What is one requirement for becoming a California Notary Public? ✔✔Be a legal resident of
California
2: Your jurisdiction will be: ✔✔The entire state of California
3: A possible penalty for committing perjury is: ✔✔2, 3 or 4 years
4: You have how many days to take your oath of office after your commencement date: ✔✔30
days
5: If you request a new Certificate of Authorization, the State of California must respond within:
✔✔5 days
6: The agency of the State that will give you the new certificate is the: ✔✔Secretary of State
7: Using the words notario publico: ✔✔Is prohibited
8: If a notary willingly and knowingly notarizes a real estate document that they know to be
fraudulent, they are guilty of a: ✔✔Felony
9: Death Certificates ✔✔Are not notarized
10: A subscribing witness can bring you a: ✔✔Homestead Declaration
11: The penalty for stating a known false face as true is now: ✔✔$10,000
12: Two credible witnesses A. Are not allowed, B. must be over 21, C. must be fingerprinted or
D. None of the above. ✔✔None of the above
13: When do you officially become a notary: ✔✔When your oath and bond are filed
14: The notary stamp may be: ✔✔Rectangular
15: The size of the stamp could be: ✔✔1" W x 2 1/2 L
16: If you are one of the following concerning a document, you must not notarize it: A. Agent B.
Employer C. Lawyer or D. Trustor or Trustee ✔✔Trustor or Trustee
17: The fine for overcharging for a non-immigration form is: ✔✔Up to $750
18: The fine for failing to notify the State that your stamp or journal was lost is: ✔✔Up to $1,500
19: Willful failure to provide a peace officer with a journal when requested is punishable by a
civil penalty of up to: ✔✔Up to $2,500.
20: What is the fine for failing to post signs in English and in the other language that you use that
you are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice: ✔✔Up to $1,500 and at least of year
suspension of commission and on second time - revocation of commission for life
21: When a regulation states 30 days it means: ✔✔Calendar days
22: Your commission is dated 09/01/05 and you get your oath filed on 09/25/05. Your
commission will expire: ✔✔08/31/09. 4 years from the date of your commission
23: The fee for notarizing a circulator's affidavit is: ✔✔$0
24: A notary can certify a copy of a power of attorney according to the: ✔✔Probate Code
25: You may turn your journal over to: ✔✔A peace officer with probable cause
26: During the signature by mark process, how many people write the name of the X signer:
✔✔One
27: If you move, you must contact the: ✔✔Secretary of State (within 30 days)
28: Of you move, you must contact the proper authority within: ✔✔30 days (Secretary of State)
29: If you give your journal to a proper authority, you must notify the Secretary of State: (How
much time do you have to do this?) ✔✔10 days
30: A commission is valid for ______ years: ✔✔4 years
31: Your 4-year notary bond is worth: ✔✔$15,000
32: The statue of limitations for making a statement known to be false is: ✔✔4 years
33: To be acceptable, ID's must be current or issued within the past: ✔✔5 years
34 What does not need to be on a passport? A. Picture of holder B. Holder's signature C. Notary's
signature D; Date of issue ✔✔Notary's signature
35: Notary certificates are signed by: A. Notary B. Secretary of State C. Client D. Lender
✔✔Notary
36: An ID needs the holder's: ✔✔Picture, signature, and physical description
37: When taking an oath: ✔✔Raising right hand is not required
38: Notaries must: A. Keep a photocopy of every document notarized B. Keep their stamp and
journal under their direct control C. Refuse service to a homeless individual D. None of the
above. ✔✔Keep their stamp and journal under their direct control
39: When you resign a commission, you deliver all your papers to: ✔✔County Clerk where your
current oath is on file
40: If you fail to file the oath and bond on time: A. Your commission is void B. You must pay
$20 to reapply C. You must complete a new application D. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
41: A notary seeking reappointment must retake the notary exam: (How often) ✔✔Every 4 years
42: The fine for wilful failure to notify the Secretary of State of an address or name change is:
✔✔$500
43: Notaries can withhold services: A. When their employer limits services to transactions
related to the employer's business B. When a document is incomplete C. When they believe
someone does not understand what they are signing D. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
44: Which is the true statement? A. It is the notary's duty to draft power of attorney - mortgages
and deeds when requested B. A notary does not have to charge a fee C. Holographic wills must
be notarized to be valid D. Holographic wills are typewritten, ✔✔A notary does not have to
charge a fee
45: A notary may: A. Notarize a document in a foreign language B. Not notarized documents
that he or she will sign as corporate officers C. Notarize relative's documents D. All of the above
✔✔All of the above
46: Signers of the following documents must leave a right thumbprint: A. Homestead
Declaration B. Power of Attorney C. Trust Deed for real estate D. B & C ✔✔Power of attorney
and Trust Deed
47: A notary is obligated to: A. Reimburse a surety company for bond funds paid out B.
Determine whether a signer has authority to sign as a corporate officer C. Let their employer
hold their seal if they paid for it. D. Use the all-purpose certificate for a jurat ✔✔Reimburse a
surety company for bond funds paid out
48: An affirmation is: A. Jurat B. Legal equivalent of an oath but has no referral to a Supreme
Being C. Never used D. All of the above ✔✔Legal equivalent of an oath but has no referral to a
Supreme Being
49: A non-attorney notary (qualified & bonded as an immigration consultant) may charge up to
$10 for: A. Completing a person's immigration application B. Oaths and affirmation C. Per
signature on a jurat D. All of he above ✔✔All of the above
50: A notary may not notarize: A. When they are the attorney who drafted the papers B. When
they are a real estate agent who sold the property C. For a spouse D. When they are a mortgagor
in a transaction ✔✔When they are a mortgagor in a transaction
51: For a first-time applicant to get a commission they: A. Must pass an exam B. Be
fingerprinted C. Be at least 18 years of age D. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
56. A certified copy certifies that the reproduction: a. Is accurate b. Is never done c. Can be
charged $30 d. None of the above ✔✔Is accurate
57. Influencing a notary to perform improperly is a: a. Moral Turpitude Felony b. Misdemeanor
c. Felony d. Infraction ✔✔A misdemeanor
58. Notaries shall not perform notary actions if they are: a. An Attorney b. An Employee c.
Named as a principal in a financial transaction d. An Agent ✔✔Named as a principal in a
financial transaction
59. Which of the following is signed in the presence of the notary: a. Acknowledgment b. Jurat c.
Certificate d. None of the above ✔✔A Jurat
60. An acknowledgment certifies that under penalty of perjury: a. Signer's identity was
satisfactorily proven to notary b. The signer admits that they signed the document c. The signer
appeared before the notary d. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
61. A man inherits a property in Alabama with his sister and they must send an affidavit to the
court. He can have a friend notarize his signature and: a. He can notarize his sister's signature b.
He can notarize both signatures c. He can never notarize an Alabama document d. He can't do
either notarization ✔✔He can't do either notarization
62. Notaries obtain their seals from the: a. Secretary of State b. County Clerk c. Approved
vendors or manufacturers d. Their employer ✔✔Approved vendors or manufactures
63. When a subscribing witness brings a document the action is called: a. Acknowledgment b.
Protest c. Jurat d. Proof of Execution ✔✔Proof of Execution
64. If a principal cannot appear, the document may be brought to the notary by: a. Any peace
officer b. An agent for the principal c. A spouse d. One subscribing witness ✔✔One subscribing
witness
65. A subscribing witness is placed under oath and asked: a. Did you sign as a witness? b. Did
the signer acknowledge their signing? c. Did the signer ask you to get the document notarized? d.
All of the above ✔✔All of the above
52. A certificate of authorization may be gotten: a. From the governor's office b. From the
Department of Real Estate c. From the Secretary of State d. None of the above ✔✔From the
Secretary of State
53. Satisfactory evidence of identity means relying on either: a. ID cards b. Credible identifying
witnesses c. Business card photos d. a and b ✔✔ID cards and credible identifying witnesses
54. A California Notary may: a. Advertise they are immigration consultants b. Take depositions
and affidavits c. Certify a copy of a foreign birth certificate d. Normally notarize a will ✔✔Take
depositions and affidavits
55. An oath is: a. An affirmation b. Never used c. A solemn spoken pledge d. a and c ✔✔An
affirmation and a solemn spoken pledge
66. An embossed seal impression: a. Is always required by Notary Law b. Can never be used c. Is
acceptable but not required d. Is only for senior notaries ✔✔Is acceptable but not required
67. Which of the following lists are all Notary Actions: a. Acknowledgment, Jurat, Copy
Certification, Oath, Deposition b. Jurat, Affirmation, Protest, Power of Attorney, Loan
Document Signing c. Proof of Execution, Protest, Affidavit, Jurat d. Proof of Execution, Jurat,
Oath of Office, Acknowledgment ✔✔Proof of Execution, Jurat, Oath of Office,
Acknowledgement
68. Credible witnesses: a. Are never placed under oath b. Must not have a financial interest in the
document c. Must always know the notary d. All of the above ✔✔Must always know the notary
69. If you resign a position with your employer: a. You must resign your commission b. Leave
all journals with the employer for the new notary c. You take the exam again d. Notify the
Secretary of State of any business address change ✔✔Notify the Secretary of State of any
business address change
70. A Military Notary: a. Is in trouble b. Charges no fees c. Can only charge senior officers d.
None of the above ✔✔Charges no fees
71. A person who is not commissioned and holds herself out as a notary is: a. Guilty of a felony
b. Legal c. Guilty of an infraction d. Guilty of a misdemeanor ✔✔Guilty of a misdemeanor
72. An employer of a Notary can: a. Copy Journal entries of business generated documents in
front of the notary b. Inspect and retain a sequential journal at any time c. Enter necessary
corrections to journal d. Appoint another employee to use the journal when the notary is absent
✔✔Copt jurnal entries of business generated documents in front of the notary
73. A notary must respond to a request for a transaction within ____days. a. One b. Two c.
Thirty d. Fifteen ✔✔15 days
74. The notary or security bond protects the: a. Notary b. Public c. Employer d. State ✔✔Public
75. The only documents that do not require a seal are: a. Subdivision maps b. Veterans certificate
c. Circulator's affidavit d. Change of venue ✔✔Subdivision maps
76. The county named in the Venue is where: a. The signer personally appeared b. The notary's
business is located c. Where the signer lives d. None of the above ✔✔The signer personally
appeared
77. If a person has no right thumb and a thumbprint is needed: a. Use any finger b. Make a note
of this problem c. You use the left thumb d. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
78. If asked to notarize an incomplete document, a notary should: a. Make a note in the journal b.
Take a thumbprint c. Charge $10 more d. Refuse ✔✔Refuse
79. A Notary seal must: a. Be photographically reproducible and contain an expiration date b.
Contain the state seal and the words notary public c. Have a serrated or milled edge border d. All
of the above ✔✔All of the above
80. The most frequently completed form is: a. The acknowledgment b. Jurat c. Confidential
marriage license d. Protest ✔✔The acknowledgement
81. Linda Martinez, a law student, is starting a business as an immigration consultant. She may
not advertise: a. That she is a notary public b. Her fee c. Her office hours d. None of the above
✔✔That she is a notary public
82. Which items must always be put in the journal: a. Date, time, type of document, fees b. Date,
type of document, fees, address of signer c. Fees, time, document date, name of signer d. Date,
time, fees, thumbprint ✔✔Date, time, type of document, fees
83. Some of the elements of a seal are: a. State seal and notary's name b. Expiration date of
commission and county where oath is on file c. Sequential ID number of manufacturer and
notary's sequential commission number d. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
84. A notary may not advertise a. Fees to be charged b. In Spanish c. The Spanish terms notario
publico or notario d. On a desk plaque ✔✔The Spanish terms notario public or notario
85. The main purpose of a credible identifying witness is to: a. Substitute for a signer b. Watch
the signer sign the document c. Prove that a person signed a document d. Identify a signer
✔✔Identify a signer
86. Why are two witnesses for a signature by mark necessary? a. To view the making or the
acknowledging of the mark b. To identify the signer c. To sign the journal d. To sign for a
disabled signer ✔✔To view the making or acknowledging of the mark
87. You are notarizing a document for a personal friend. Which of the following must be
included in your journal? a. Signer's driver's license number b. Type of Document c. Notary fee
d. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
88. A written request for a photocopy of a journal entry must contain: a. Type of notarization,
type of document and names of parties b. Type of document, month and year of notarization, and
parties' signatures c. Type of notarization, month and year of notarization and names of parties d.
Type of document, month and year of notarization and names of parties ✔✔Type of document,
month and year of notarization and names of parties
89. A right thumbprint is not required in the Notary journal for a: a. Deed of reconveyance b.
Grant deed c. Warranty deed d. Deed of trust ✔✔Deed of reconveyance
90. If a private employer and an employee enter into an agreement: a. Fees must go to the
employee b. No fees can be collected c. The notary must pay for the bond d. Notary actions can
be limited to business transactions ✔✔Notary actions can be limited to business transactions
91. An expired California Driver's License was issued 52 months before presentation to you: a. It
is acceptable as identification b. Expired licenses are not valid c. Signer must use a credible
witness d. A subscribing witness could be used ✔✔It is acceptable as identification
92. Notaries may not certify a copy of a: a. Journal entry requested by the Secretary of State b.
Durable power of attorney for health care document c. Journal entry requested by a member of
the public d. Limited power of attorney document ✔✔Journal entry requested by a member of
the public
93. When a Notary changes a business address to a new county within California: a. The Notary
must notify the Secretary of State of the address change b. The Notary must file a new oath of
office and amendment to the Notary's bond in the new county before notarizing documents in the
new county c. The Notary must change the name of the county in the Notary's seal d. All of the
above ✔✔The notary must notify the Secretary of State of the address change
94. A proof of execution may be performed on a: a. Deed of reconveyance b. Quitclaim deed c.
Security agreement d. Deed of trust ✔✔Deed of reconvenyance
95. A notary who does not deliver papers to a county clerk after they allow a commission to
expire is: a. Guilty of a felony b. Guilty of a misdemeanor c. Guilty of an infraction d. None of
the above ✔✔Guilty of a misdemeanor
96. A certificate reads: Subscribed & Sworn to before me on August 5, 2007 by ________.
Whose name goes on the blank? a. Notary b. Signer c. Credible Witness d. Secretary of State
✔✔Signer
97. You are not automatically disqualified from doing a notarization when you are a: a. Lessor b.
Vendee c. Real Estate Agent d. Grantor ✔✔Real Estate Agent
98. By contract an employee and employer can: a. Charge $20 for a one person Jurat b. Notarize
outside of California c. Eliminate their journal d. Limit services solely to their business ✔✔Limit
services solely to their business
99. By using the term notario publico in an advertisement, the Notary's commission could be: a.
Suspended for a period of not less than six months or revoked immediately. b. Suspended for a
period of not less than six months and revoked on the second offense c. Suspended for a period
of not less than one year and revoked on the second offense d. None of the above ✔✔Suspended
for a period of not less than one year and revoked on the second offense
100. A Notary may not charge a fee for notarization on: a. A power of attorney b. A circulator's
affidavit c. A quitclaim deed d. An affidavit of support ✔✔A circulator's affidavit
101. A Notary may use his or her commission: a. To endorse a product b. To notarize for
veterans c. To advise clients on immigration matters d. Both a and c ✔✔To notarize for veterans
102. A Notary who engages in the unauthorized practice of law may face: a. Commission denial
b. Commission revocation c. Commission suspension d. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
103. When can your notary commission be suspended and/or revoked? a. Not paying child
support b. Charging $10 for a set of immigration papers in addition to normal notarization fees c.
Charging a friend less then the general public d. Entering the amount charged in your journal
✔✔Not paying child support
104. When a notary is employed by a city, county or state agency, fees collected for non-agency
related notarization are: a. Kept by the Notary b. Turned over to a supervisor c. Remitted by the
Notary Public to the employing agency d. Always free ✔✔Remitted by the Notary Public to the
employing agency
105. It is allowable for a notary to notarize for a family member when acting as a: a. Grantor b.
Trustee c. Lessor d. Employee ✔✔Employee
106. A notary can notarize documents to be filed in another State but: a. Must use California
form b. Can't certify signer holds a particular capacity c. Can't charge any fees d. Only jurats
✔✔Can't certify signer holds a particular capacity
107. An oath to a witness: a. Always refers to God b. Can use phrase "under penalty of perjury"
c. Never refers to a Superior Being d. Has only one recommended question ✔✔Can use phrase
"under penalty of perjury"
108. If your employer, John Smith, asks to see your journal, which you use in business, to see
who is giving him the most business, you should: a. Let him look at your journal b. Refuse to let
him look at the journal c. Let him see only the items pertaining to his business d. Remind him it
is your journal and he may not look at it ✔✔Let him see only the items pertaining to his business
109. In the case of the death of a notary public, the personal representative of the deceased shall:
a. Promptly notify the Secretary of State and return journal to the Secretary of State b. Promptly
notify the Secretary of State and return seal and journal to the State c. Promptly notify the
County where the oath and bond are recorded d. Promptly notify the Secretary of State and send
their papers and records to the county where their oath is recorded. ✔✔Promptly notify the
Secretary of State and send their papers and records to the county where their oath is recorded
110. No fees may be charged for verifying: a. A jurat b. Nomination document or circulator's
affidavit c. Any acknowledgments d. Any ✔✔Nomination document or circulator's affidavit
111. When performing a signature by mark notarization: a. The signer must make his or her mark
in the Notary's journal b. The signer does not have to be identified c. The notary must make the
mark in his or her journal d. The notary must sign the person's name near his or her mark on the
signature line ✔✔The signer must make his or her mark in the Notary's journal
112. A Notary Public can notarize a signature on a document that: a. They signed as a principal
b. In which they have a direct financial interest c. Is incomplete d. Is in a foreign language ✔✔Is
in a foreign language
113. Which of the following must be included in a Journal: a. Date of document b. Address of
signer c. Character of every document d. Thumbprint of a trustee deed's signer ✔✔Character of
every document
114. If a credible witness personally knows the signer and the notary: a. Only one witness is
needed b. Two witnesses are needed c. Three witnesses are needed d. None of the above
✔✔Only one witness is needed
115. When the last day for filing an instrument or other document with a state agency falls upon
a Saturday or holiday, such act may be performed: a. Within one week b. Within two weeks c.
Within thirty days d. Upon the next business day ✔✔Upon the next business day
116. Notaries need not record in their journals: a. The date and time of notarization b. The fees
charged for a notarial services c. Type of document notarized d. The signer's address ✔✔The
signer's address
117. When the venue of the Notary's certificate has been filled in beforehand with an incorrect
state and county, the Notary must: a. Attach a loose certificate with a correct venue b. Reject the
document c. Not tamper with words that may have been filled in by an attorney d. Line through
the inapplicable words, writing in the correct state and county ✔✔Line through the inapplicable
words, writing in the correct state and county
118. Any person who coerces a notary to perform improperly is guilty of: a. A Felony b. An
Infraction c. Nothing d. Misdemeanor ✔✔Misdemeanor
119. Effective July 1, 2005 all appointed persons must complete: a. Six hours of study b. Three
hours of study c. Forty-five hours of study d. A 60 question exam ✔✔Six hours of study
120. The main purpose of an acknowledgment is to: a. Authenticate signatures b. Establish
mental competence c. Require personal appearance d. Both a and c ✔✔Authenticate signatures
and require personal appearance
121. When notarizing a document containing an acknowledgment, the Notary: a. Must see the
document signer sign before them b. May accept a document that has already been signed c.
Must administer an oath d. Must take a copy of the acknowledgment ✔✔May accept a document
that has already been signed
122. To communicate with the Secretary of State about a change in address: a. A Notary must
communicate the change when it is a business address b. A Notary must communicate the
change when it is a residence address c. By certified mail within 30 days d. All of the above
✔✔All of the above
123. When is an oath involved with an acknowledgment: a. Every time b. When the signer would
like to swear that the contents of the document are true c. When the signer utilizes a credible
witness as ID d. An oath is never used in an acknowledgment ✔✔When the signer utilizes a
credible witness as ID
124. One main purpose of a Jurat is to: a. Not identify the signer b. Copy certify a form c. Make
sure the signer signs in front of the Notary d. Gain evidence to insure truthfulness ✔✔Make sure
the signer signs in front of the Notary
125. To establish proper ID the Notary must accept which of the following from the principal: a.
Two credible witnesses with ID's who personally know the principal b. Credible witness
personally known by Notary and principal with proper ID. c. One proper ID - current or issued in
the last five years d. All of the above ✔✔All of the above
126. Exceptions to personal appearance by the principal are: a. There are none b. Credible
witness c. Photo Business Card d. Subscribing Witness ✔✔Subscribing witness
127. A foreign passport must have one additional item: a. Stamp from U.S. Immigration Agency
b. Address of signer c. Phone number of Issuing County d. Thumbprint ✔✔Stamp from U.S.
Immigration Agency
128. To meet the 30 calendar day filing limit of the oath with the county you must: a. Get them
postmarked by 30 days b. Keep them until you can hand deliver them c. Allow for any form of
delay d. Pay a fee if late ✔✔All for any form of delay
129. A judgment is lodged against a Notary for $22,000 and the bonding company pays $15,000
to the client. The notary is liable for: a. $7,000 b. $22,000 c. $15,000 d. $0 ✔✔$22,000
130. The key wording of an acknowledgement is: a. Subscribed and sworn to b. I swear the
document is true c. Personally appeared d. Protest the payment ✔✔Personally appeared
131. A subscribing witness can be identified by: a. Their current U.S. Passport b. One credible
witness known to the subscribing witness and the notary who has ID c. Two credible witnesses
with proper ID cards d. A principal who knows them personally ✔✔One credible witness known
to the subscribing witness and the notary who has ID
132. The true statement below about qualifications is, you must be: a. Able to read Spanish b. A
U.S. Citizen c. 18 years of age d. Resident of California ✔✔Resident of California
133. It is never acceptable to affix a notary seal and signature to a document without: a. The
notarial wording b. Being paid c. Giving an oath d. Seeing the person sign the document ✔✔The
notarial wording
134. If a notary is unable to communicate with a customer the notary: a. Should use an
interpreter b. Refer them to someone who speaks their language c. Report them to Immigration
authorities d. Should notarize any regular documents ✔✔Refer them to someone who speaks
their language
135. In foreign language advertising regulations there are strict rules but the one exception is: a.
A business card in the foreign language b. A single desk plaque c. An 8 ½" x 11" brochure d.
Yellow pages advertising ✔✔A single desk plaque
136. When a public agency pays an employee's expenses, the fees: a. Shall be remitted to the
agency b. Are distributed per an employee-agency agreement c. Are never collected d. Go to the
notary ✔✔Shall be remitted to the agency
137. When a check has not been honored for payment, the Secretary of State shall give a written
notice. If no correction is done a second notice of cancellation shall be effective when: a. 90 days
b. 30 days c. 20 days d. 10 days ✔✔20 days
138. Which company has extremely high Notary passing rates? a. Duane Gomer Seminars b.
Duane Gomer Seminars c. Duane Gomer Seminars d. Any of the above ✔✔Any of the above
[Show More]
