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NOTARY PUBLIC PRACTICE EXAM (22p)
QUESTIONS and answers 2024
What is one requirement for becoming a California Notary Public? a. Be under 18 years of age b. Have a criminal record c. Not pass an exam d. Be a legal resident of California - ANS>> D. Be a legal resident of California Your jurisdiction will be: a. The entire state of California b. The county in which you live c. The city in which you work d. The entire United States - ANS>> A. The entire state of California A possible penalty for committing perjury is: a. 2 years in prison b. 3 years in prison c. 4 years in prison d. Any of the above - ANS>> D. Any of the above
- 2, 3, or 4 years in prison You have how many days to take your oath of office after your commencement date: a. 6 months b. 10 days c. 30 days d. None of the above - ANS>> C. 30 days If you request a new Certificate of Authorization, the State of California must respond within: a. One month b. 5 days c. One year d. 30 days - ANS>> B. 5 days The agency of the State that will give you the new certificate is the: a. Corporation Commissioner b. Bureau of Notary Publics c. Secretary of State d. Department of Real Estate - ANS>> C. Secretary of State Using the words notario publico:
Page | 2 a. Is encouraged b. Is legal in California c. Is prohibited d. Indicates lingual ability - ANS>> C. Is prohibited If a notary willingly and knowingly notarizes a real estate document that they know to be fraudulent, they are guilty of a: a Misdemeanor b. Lis pendes c. Carpe diem d. Felony - ANS>> D. Felony Death Certificates: a. Must be notarized b. Are not notarized c. Are filed with the IRS d. All of the above - ANS>> B. Are not notarized A subscribing witness can bring you a: a. Quit Claim Deed b. Grant Deed c. Mortgage d. Homestead Declaration - ANS>> D. Homestead Declaration The penalty for stating a known false fact as true is now a. $ b. $1, c. $10, d. $75,000 - ANS>> C. $10, Two credible witnesses a. Are not allowed b. Must be over 21 c. Must be fingerprinted d. None of the above - ANS>> D. None of the above
- Are not allowed
- Must be over 21
- Must be fingerprinted When do you officially become a notary? a. When you pass the exam b. When the Secretary of State sends your commission c. When you do your first certificate d. When your oath and bond are filed - ANS>> D. When your oath and bond are filed
Page | 4 When a regulation states 30 days it means: a. Calendar days b. Business days c. a & b d. none of the above - ANS>> A. Calendar days Your commission is dated 9/1/05 and you get your oath filed on 9/25/05. Your commission will expire: a. Immediately - you were too late b. 8/31/ c. 9/24/ d. 9/1/15 - ANS>> B. 8/31/ The fee for notarizing a circulator's affidavit is: a. $ b. $10. c. $5. d. Negotiable - ANS>> A. $ A notary can certify a copy of a power of attorney according to the: a. Civil Code b. Probate Code c. Bus. & Prof. Code d. Notary Public Code - ANS>> B. Probate Code You may turn your journal over to: a. Your Employer b. No one c. A Peace Officer with probable cause d. An Auditor - ANS>> C. A Peace Officer with probable cause During the signature by mark process, how many people write the name of the X signer: a. At least three b. Two c. One d. None - ANS>> C. One If you move, you must contact the: a. Secretary of State b. Your employer c. County Clerk d. Department of Notary Public - ANS>> A. Secretary of State If you move, you must contact the proper authority within: a. 1 day
Page | 5 b. 10 days c. 30 days d. 6 months - ANS>> C. 30 days If you give up your journal to a proper authority, you must notify the Secretary of State within: a. 1 day b. 10 days c. 30 days d. 1 month - ANS>> B. 10 days A commission is valid for ______ years: a. 1 year b. 2 years c. 4 years d. 12 years - ANS>> C. 4 years Your 4-year notary bond is worth: a. $15, b. $ c. $75, d. $1,500 - ANS>> A. $15, The statute of limitations for making a statement known to be false is: a. One year b. Two years c. Three years d. Four years - ANS>> D. Four years To be acceptable, ID's must be current or issued within the past: a. 1 year b. 2 years c. 5 years d. 10 years - ANS>> C. 5 years 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 - ANS>> C. Notary's signature Notary certificates are signed by: a. Notary b. Secretary of State c. Client d. Lender - ANS>> A. Notary
Page | 7 The fine for willful failure to notify the Secretary of State of an address or name change is: a. $ b. $ c. $1, d. $15,000 - ANS>> A. $ 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- When their employer limits services to transactions related to the employer's business
- When a document is incomplete
- When they believe someone does not understand what they are signing 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 - ANS>> B. A notary does not have to charge a fee A notary may: a. Notarize a document in a foreign language b. Not notarize documents that he or she will sign as corporate officers c. Notarize relative's documents d. All of the above - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Notarize a document in a foreign language
- Not notarize documents that he or she will sign as corporate officers
- Notarize relative's documents 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 - ANS>> D- B & C
- Power of Attorney
- Trust Deed for real estate A notary is obligated to:
Page | 8 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 - ANS>> A. Reimburse a surety company for bond funds paid out 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 - ANS>> B. Legal equivalent of an oath but has no referral to a Supreme Being 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 the above - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Completing a person's immigration application
- Oaths and affirmation
- Per signature on a Jurat 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 - ANS>> D. When they are a mortgagor in a transaction 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 Be fingerprinted - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Must pass an exam
- Be fingerprinted
- Be at least 18 years of age 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 - ANS>> C. From the Secretary of State
Page | 10 b. Jurat c. Certificate d. None of the above - ANS>> B. Jurat 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Signer's identity was satisfactorily proven to notary
- The signer admits that they signed the document
- The signer appeared before the notary 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 - ANS>> D. He can't do either notarization Notaries obtain their seals from the: a. Secretary of State b. County Clerk c. Approved vendors or manufacturers d. Their employer - ANS>> C. Approved vendors or manufacturers When a subscribing witness brings a document the action is called: a. Acknowledgment b. Protest c. Jurat d. Proof of Execution - ANS>> D. Proof of Execution 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 - ANS>> D. One subscribing witness 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above D - Subscribing Witness C.C. 1935
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- Did you sign as a witness?
- Did the signer acknowledge their signing?
- Did the signer ask you to get the document notarized? 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 - ANS>> C. Is acceptable but not required 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 - ANS>> D. Proof of Execution, Jurat, Oath of Office, Acknowledgment 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 - ANS>> B. Must not have a financial interest in the document 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 - ANS>> D. Notify the Secretary of State of any business address change A Military Notary: a. Is in trouble b. Charges no fees c. Can only charge senior officers d. None of the above - ANS>> B. Charges no fees 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 - ANS>> D. Guilty of a misdemeanor 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
Page | 13 b. Contain the state seal and the words notary public c. Have a serrated or milled edge border d. All of the above - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Be photographically reproducible and contain an expiration date
- Contain the state seal and the words notary public
- Have a serrated or milled edge border The most frequently completed form is: a. The acknowledgment b. Jurat c. Confidential marriage license d. Protest - ANS>> A. The acknowledgment 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 - ANS>> A. That she is a notary public 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 - ANS>> A. Date, time, type of document, fees 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- State seal and notary's name
- Expiration date of commission and county where oath is on file
- Sequential ID number of manufacturer and notary's sequential commission number 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 - ANS>> C. The Spanish terms notario publico or notario The main purpose of a credible identifying witness is to: a. Substitute for a signer
Page | 14 b. Watch the signer sign the document c. Prove that a person signed a document d. Identify a signer - ANS>> D. Identify a signer 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 - ANS>> A. To view the making or the acknowledging of the mark 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Signer's driver's license number
- Type of Document
- Notary fee 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 - ANS>> D. Type of document, month and year of notarization and names of parties 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 - ANS>> A. Deed of reconveyance 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 - ANS>> D. Notary actions can be limited to business transactions 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
Page | 16 b. Notarize outside of California c. Eliminate their journal d. Limit services solely to their business - ANS>> D. Limit services solely to their business 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 - ANS>> C. Suspended for a period of not less than one year and revoked on the second offense 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 - ANS>> B. A circulator's affidavit 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 - ANS>> B. To notarize for veterans 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Commission denial
- Commission revocation
- Commission suspension 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 - ANS>> A. Not paying child support When a notary is employed by a city, county or state agency, fees collected for non- agency related notarization are:
Page | 17 a. Kept by the Notary b. Turned over to a supervisor c. Remitted by the Notary Public to the employing agency d. Always free - ANS>> C. Remitted by the Notary Public It is allowable for a notary to notarize for a family member when acting as a: a. Grantor b. Trustee c. Lessor d. Employee - ANS>> D. Employee 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 - ANS>> B. Can't certify signer holds a particular capacity 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 - ANS>> B. Can use phrase "under penalty of perjury" 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 - ANS>> C. Let him see only the items pertaining to his business 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. - ANS>> D. Promptly notify the Secretary of State and send their papers and records to the county where their oath is recorded. No fees may be charged for verifying: a. A jurat b. Nomination document or circulator's affidavit
Page | 19 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 - ANS>> D. Line through the inapplicable words, writing in the correct state and county Any person who coerces a notary to perform improperly is guilty of: a. A Felony b. An Infraction c. Nothing d. Misdemeanor - ANS>> D. Misdemeanor 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 - ANS>> A. Six hours of study A - Notary Public Education The main purpose of an acknowledgment is to: a. Authenticate signatures b. Establish mental competence c. Require personal appearance d. Both a and c - ANS>> D. Both a and c
- Authenticate signatures
- Require personal appearance 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 - ANS>> B. May accept a document that has already been signed 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- A Notary must communicate the change when it is a business address
- A Notary must communicate the change when it is a residence address
- By certified mail within 30 days When is an oath involved with an acknowledgment: a. Every time
Page | 20 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 - ANS>> C. When the signer utilizes a credible witness as ID 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 - ANS>> C. Make sure the signer signs in front of the Notary 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 - ANS>> D. All of the above
- Two credible witnesses with ID's who personally know the principal
- Credible witness personally known by Notary and principal with proper ID.
- One proper ID - current or issued in the last five years Exceptions to personal appearance by the principal are: a. There are none b. Credible witness c. Photo Business Card d. Subscribing Witness - ANS>> D. Subscribing Witness 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 - ANS>> A. Stamp from U.S. Immigration Agency 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 - ANS>> C. Allow for any form of delay 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, b. $22, c. $15, d. $0 - ANS>> B. $22,
