CALIFORNIA NOTARY

STUDY GUIDE
2020 Edition 

Table Of Contents: 

Terms A Notary Should Know 2 

Common Questions & Answers - For California Notaries 6 

California Notary Study Questions: 20​20 29 

Please be advised! ​This study guide, along with the questions & answers, and practice exams,
are designed to cover requirements needed to pass the California Notary Public state exam and
are provided ONLY as study materials for the California Notary Exam and are NOT a legal
reference. Please refer all legal references to the most recent California Notary Public
Handbook and/or Secretary of State's office. ​https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/
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Terms A Notary Should Know  

Acknowledgment: ​An acknowledgment is an act by which a Notary certifies that they
have legally identified a document signer who personally appeared before the Notary.

Administrator: ​Is a court-appointed person who has the legal right to administer
(manage) the affairs of a decedent (or diseased person) with regards to the assets of
said person’s estate when no will or executor was named.

Affiant:​ Person who signs an affidavit.

Affidavit:​ An affidavit is a sworn or ​written statement signed before a notary public by a

public official who can administer an oath or affirm to the Notary that the statement is
true by placing a signature and finishing the jurat. It is made under penalty of perjury.

Bill of Sale: ​A legal document made by a seller that is then given to a purchaser that
reports that on a specific day, location, and for a sum of money, the seller sold an item
to the purchaser.

Chattel: ​Are a person's possession other than real property (Example: item(s) in a
house or garage, but not the actual land or structure)

Chattel paper:​ A written obligation to pay money for a specific item is referred to as a
chattel paper.

Codicil: ​An addendum or supplemental addition used to alter a previous will (as it
relates to wills).

Consideration: ​Something that is legally bargained for between parties. Examples of

consideration would be money, property, and/or services.

Contempt of court: ​Contempt of court, commonly referred to as just contempt, is an

offense, or action, that is considered disrespectful behavior that defies the authority of
the court, or hinders a court’s order.

 
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Deed:​ A document that transfers ownership of a property from one person or intent
to another.

Deponent: ​A person who makes an affidavit or deposition under oath. (Deponent has
the same meaning as affiant.)

Deposition: ​A written statement or testimony taken out of court used during a lawsuit or
trial, that contains transcribed words spoken under oath in front of an authorized official
or notary public.

Duress: ​Wrongful and typically unlawful threats or other actions that coerce a person to
act against their will.

Encumbrance:​ A legal claim or limitation made on an owner’s property.

Escrow:​ Escrow generally refers to a financial arrangement where a designated third

party holds funds or a valuable asset until a condition is met.

Executor:​ ​When someone with a will passes away, the designated executor named in
their will manages and distributes the assets to the listed beneficiaries after the person’s
death.

Felony: ​In criminal law, a felony encompasses the most serious types of criminal
offenses and is more serious than a misdemeanor crime.

Guardian: ​Person with the legal authority to manage another individual’s affairs.

Judgment:
A judgment declares the rights of individuals, including that one party owes money to
another and specifying the amount owed. Judgments may be final or temporary.

Jurat: ​A Jurat is the section of an affidavit that contains the certification that a Notary
affirms that they have watched the signing of a document while giving an oath or official
affirmation.

 
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Lease: ​A lease is a legal agreement (contract) between an owner of a property,

piece of land, building, or vehicle and another that allows a renter to use said
property for an allotted time in return for a specified fee.

Lien: ​An official order that allows one entity to keep another entity’s property until they
are paid money that is owed.

Litigation: ​The act or process of a lawsuit between disputing parties involved in the
court of law.

Misdemeanor: ​A crime considered minor in comparison to others or less serious than a

felony.

Mortgage on Real Property: ​A legal binding agreement that is used to create a lien on
real property until the debt has been paid in full. As the mortgagee, the lender has the
right to sell the property to pay off the loan if the borrower fails to pay.

Oath:​ A spoken, solemn promise to a supreme entity, a revered person or thing made
before a pledge of the truth of a statement.

Plaintiff:​ A person who calls for (or starts) a legal case against another in a court of
law.

Power of attorney:​ A legal document that gives an appointed person the authority to
act on behalf of someone else with regards to legal or financial matters.

Protest - ​is a written statement by a notary public that a promissory note or bill of
exchange was presented for acceptance or payment was refused by either party.

Statute of limitations - ​a law that sets the ‘maximum time’ after an event within which
legal proceedings may be initiated (started) by.

Venue:​ This is the county and state by which the notarization act took place, for
example, Sacramento County, California​.

Will:​ A written legal statement pertaining to a person’s wishes after death.

 
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Satisfactory Evidence:​ The type of evidence that a notary uses to confirm the identity of a
signer is called “Satisfactory Evidence”

Scribing Witness:​ Should a person that signed a document not be able to appear before the
notary, the signer may request another person to sign the document as a witness that the
principle singer did sign or stated to them that they signed the original document, this person is
called a “subscribing witness”. 
 
 
   

 
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Common Questions & Answers - For California Notaries 

Question:
What arrests or convictions on your record should you disclose on your application?
Answer: All Notary applicants are required to disclose any arrests where a trial is pending along
with ALL prior convictions.

Question:
You are not required to disclose a conviction that happened over 10+ years ago.
Answer: False, you are required to list ALL prior convictions

Question:
The term of office for a notary is for how many years after the start of their term.
Answer: 4 years. (CGC 8204)

Question:
To complete your notary filing and to act as a notary, a person must file with their County Clerk's
office (within 30 days of the commission start date) the following items:
Answer: 1) oath of office, and 2) $15,000 bond (cgc 8213)

Question:
True or False: A notary has the ability to perform a notary act outside the county they field their
oath of office?
Answer: True, they have the ability to perform notary acts in all California counties regardless of
what county their oath was filed in.

Question:
When filling a notary bond (the surety bond) the sum of the bond must be in the amount of?
Answer: $15,000

Question:
Once a notary, your journal can be lent to other notaries as needed.
Answer: False. Your notary journal must ALWAYS be kept in a secure place under the notaries’
control at all times.

Question:
What penalty could a notary face if they fail to secure his/her journal?
Answer: His/her notary public commission may be suspended or revoked AND civil and criminal
penalties may be imposed (CGC 8214.1(o), 8214.15(b), and 8228.1)

 
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Question:
A Journal entry must be made at the time of the notarial act and must be recorded in what
order?
Answer: in sequential order.

Question:
Should a notary willfully (intentionally) not properly maintain her journal, they can be found guilty
of _____________.
Answer: a misdemeanor.

Question:
What should a notary do if a member of the public requests an ORIGINAL journal entry?
Answer: You will need to deny the request. You may, however, give a photocopy of the journal
entry.

Question:
Can I charge a person for a photocopy of a journal entry?
Answer: Yes, you may charge them. You are allowed to charge (30 cents) per photo-copy page.

Question:
Who is the person that appoints notaries in the state of California?
Answer: The California Secretary of State is the public official that appoints notaries in
California.

Question:
I have my primary residence in Utah but I spend a lot of time and do business in California, can I
become a California Notary Public?
Answer: No (unless appointed to serve in the military), your primary residence must be in
California to become a California Notary Public.

Question:
I am a resident of North Carolina but stationed in California for the military, am I eligible to be a
California notary.
Answer: Yes, if you are 18+ and stationed and in the military stationed in California, there are
special provisions to become a notary.

Question:
Am I allowed to take an approved California 3-hour course of study to become a notary?
Answer: No, if you are not currently licensed as a notary, you must take a 6-hour study course
in order to become a notary public.

 
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Question:
I'm currently listed as a notary and have already taken a 6-hour course of study am I required to
take the 6-hour course again?
Answer: No, you will only need to complete a 3-hour approved course of study to complete your
license as long as you complete all filings prior to the expiration date of your current
commission.

Question:
I'm currently licensed as a notary, but will not be able to complete my filing until after my
commission expires due to a health issue, can I take the 3-hour course.
Answer: No, if for ANY reason your commission expires prior to completing your paperwork to
renew your commission, you are required to take the 6-hour approved course.

Question:
I’m a licensed notary and I’m completing my renewal PRIOR to it expiring, can I take the 6-hour
course or must I take the 3-hour course?
Answer: Yes, you are ALWAYS allowed to take the 6-hour approved course as part of your
filing.

Question:
Can a notary purchase their Notary Seal from ANY company that makes rubber stamps?
Answer: No, you can only purchase your notary seal from a company that is AUTHORIZED by
the Secretary of State's office.

Question:
What are the criteria that a notary seal must abide by?
Answer: The State of California requires each notary to use a rubber stamp as their official seal.
However, an embossing seal may be used in conjunction with the ink stamp.
1. The seal impression must be photographically reproducible.
2. Round notary seals must be no larger than two inches in diameter, rectangle notary
seals must be no larger than one inch in width by two and one-half inches in length with a
serrated or milled edge border.
3. The notary seal must contain:
a) The State Seal of California,
b) the words "Notary Public",
c) the name of the Notary Public as shown on their commission,
d) the name of the county where their oath of office and Notary Public bond are
on file,
e) the expiration date of the Notary Public's commission,

 
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f) the sequential identification number (commission number) assigned to the
Notary Public,
g) and the identification number assigned to the seal manufacturer.

Question:
Does the notary Seal HAVE to be round?
Answer: No, the seal may be either square or round. (Circular, may not be more than 2 inches
in diameter. If rectangular, it must not be more than 1-inch in width by 2 and ½ inches in length)
CGC 8207)

Question:
From whom does a notary obtain a CERTIFICATE to purchase an official notary California
Notary seal?
Answer: The California Secretary of State will issue a certificate to purchase your official notary
seal. You must use your official letter when purchasing your seal and NOT a copy.

Question:
Can a notary be held personally liable for damages that occur from their notarial acts?
Answer: Yes, if a notary is found to have acted with negligence that person may be found
personally liable for damages, costs and attorney’s fees. A notary may purchase supplemental
insurance to safeguard themselves.

Question:
Can The Secretary of State appoint and commission a state, city, county, and public school
district employee as a notary public to act for and on behalf of the governmental entity for which
appointed which the Secretary of State?
Answer: Yes, the Secretary of State may appoint as many as they see fit.

Question:
If you are a notary appointed for a public entity, can you act as a notary outside the public
entity?
Answer: No, they may only perform notary acts for that public entity.

Question:
Due notaries appoint for public entities have to charge fees?
Answer: Yes, the notaries charge for all services and remit the fees received to the employing
agency. Each fee charged must be entered in the journal.

Question:

 
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If a notary appointed by a public agency terminates their position (voluntarily or is fired) are
they entitled to keep their notarial status?
Answer: No, once a notary appointed by a public agency leaves their position, their actions are
viewed the same as a notary’s resignation of the commission of the notary.

Question:
Does a person appointed to serve as a military notary on a California reservation have to be a
U.S. citizen?
Answer: Yes, they must be a U.S. Citizen; however, they don’t have a be a California resident.

Question:
Can a military notary appointed to notarize on behalf of a reservation perform their notary acts
outside of the reservation where they were appointed?
Answer: No, they must perform all notary acts on the military reservation they were appointed.

Question:
Does a military notary appoint to notarize on behalf of a reservation charge the same fees as all
other notaries?
Answer: No, they are NOT allowed to charge any notary fees.

Question:
How long is a SIX hour or THREE-hour notary course of study valid for?
Answer: It is valid for 2 years from the time of completion.

Question:
If I am a current notary who took a SIX-hour refresher course, do I still have to pass the written
state exam?
Answer: Yes, every notary, whether renewing their commission or obtaining it for the first time,
must take the state exam.

Question:
Once a notary passes their written state examination, how long do they have to file their
fingerprints to the DOJ (Department of Justice) so as to complete their background check?
Answer: You have 1 year to file your fingerprints to the DOJ upon the successful completion of
the state exam.

Question:
If a notary applicant has been convicted of a crime, does that make them ineligible to become a
notary?
Answer: No, if a person has been convicted of a crime it MAY render them ineligible but such
offense does not count as grounds for immediate disqualification.

 
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Question:
Are those who committed a felony, including crimes committed over 10 years ago that are
compatible with notary public duties, subject to disqualification?
Answer: Yes, persons who committed a felony compatible with the duties of a notary would
become immediately disqualified.

Question:
Who ultimately makes the decision if an applicant is unfit to be a notary public?
Answer: The California Secretary of State.

Question:
What happens if a notary completes a certificate of acknowledgment that they know is false?
Answer: They can be held liable for civil penalties (not to exceed $1,500) and undergo
administrative action. (8214.15)

Question:
Can a notary be guilty of forgery if they issue an acknowledgment that they know to be false?
Answer: Yes.

Question:
Can a person be sent to prison for forgery?
Answer: Yes, if a person is found guilty of forgery, they may be imprisoned for no more than one
year. (California Penal Code 473)

Question:
What form should a notary use when a person swears (or affirms) that the contents of a
document are true and correct?
Answer: A Jurat.

Question:
In order for a notary to complete a jurat, do they need to certify that the signer personally
appeared before them?
Answer: Yes, to complete a jurat, a notary must certify that the signer appeared before them
and must include the date and county where it occurred. CGC 8202(a)

Question:
If I am a notary for my employer, can I leave my journal with my employer, so that they may
inspect whether I am present or not?
Answer: No, the notary must be present at ALL times.

 
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Question:
If notaries who work for their employers are requested to hand over copies of their journal
entries, do they need certified copies?
Answer: No, the notary must provide plain copies of the journal entries.

Question:
Should a notary be ‘subpoena duces tecum’ which is a subpoena to produce records in court,
do I have to be present at the time of the hearing?
Answer: Yes.

Question:
At any time, do I have to turn my journal over to someone?
Answer: Yes, but only during a select number of occasions:
1) If requested in writing by law;
2) by a peace officer after a legal request;
3) by a county clerk.

Question:
If a police officer believes that my journal has evidence of a criminal offense, am I required to
surrender my journal?
Answer: Yes.

Question:
Can I accept an identification card issued by a Mexican Government that has the person’s
photo?
Answer: Yes, so long as it also includes a description of the person, signature, and ID number.

Question:
Can I accept all U.S. Military identification cards as proof of identification?
Answer: No, they must also contain a photo, a description of the person, signature, and ID
number.

Question:
Can I accept an employee ID card issued by a State agency?
Answer: Yes, so long as it also contains a photo, a description of the person, signature, and ID
number.

Question:

 
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Can a notary establish the signer's ID by the oath of a single credible witness when they
personally know the signer?
Answer: Yes, so long as the notary also knows the credible witness personally and a proper ID
of the credible witness is provided.

Question:
What are a few reasons that a notary would not be appointed a notary or have their license
stripped?
Answer: Grand theft, forgery, or obtaining personal information of another person for ‘criminal’
purposes.

Question:
If a peace officer properly requests my journal but I refuse their request, what consequence may
I face?
Answer: You may be punished by law or stripped of your notary public license.

Question:
What type of actions could result in a civil penalty of $750 or $1,500?

Answer:
● Dishonesty, fraud, or deceit may result in a fine of $1,500
● Misleading advertising by the notary public may result in a fine of $1,500
● Charging more than the maximum fees for notarial services may result in a fine of $750

Question:
When a notary has their journal surrendered to a peace officer, what should the notary public
do?
Answer:
The notary must do the following:
● Obtain a receipt for the journal from the peace officer.
● Notify the Secretary of State within ten (10) days by certified mail or other means that
provides a receipt. (The notification shall include the period of the journal entries, the
commission number of the notary public, the expiration date of the commission, and a
photocopy of the receipt.)
● The notary shall obtain a new sequential journal.
● If the journal is returned, the notary shall make NO new entries in the returned journal.

Question:
What should a notary public do if my journal is stolen?
Answer:

 
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If a sequential journal of official acts performed by a notary public is stolen, lost, misplaced,
destroyed, damaged, or otherwise rendered unusable, the notary shall:
● Immediately notify the Secretary of State by certified mail or other means that provides a
receipt. (The notification shall include the period of the journal entries, the commission
number of the notary public, the expiration date of the commission, and a photocopy of
the receipt.)
● When applicable, a photocopy of any police report that specifies the theft should be
included with the notification. The notary may then obtain a new journal.

Question:
If I wish to no longer be a notary (resign my position) what am I to do with my notary supplies
and journal?
Answer: You are to return your notary materials including your stamp & journal to the county
clerk's office where you filed your notary public oath of office.

Question:
I’m a notary public and my commission just expired. I have obtained a re-appointment even
though I took the state exam. What do I do?
Answer: If you do not obtain reappointment within 30 days of the expiration of your commission,
all notarial records and papers shall be delivered within 30 days (of your expiration date) to the
clerk of the county in which the notary public’s current official oath of office is on file.

Question:
After obtaining your notary license and change your place of residence, is updating my
information with the DMV sufficient?
Answer: NO. You must, within 30 days, notify the Secretary of State's office in writing, by
certified mail or any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt, of your change of
address. There is a change of address form (found on the S.O.S website) that can help you with
this task.

Question:
When submitting my change of address, do I need to supply a check to cover the fee?
Answer: NO. There is no fee to change your address.

Question:
When changing my address, I moved to a different county than my original oath and bond are
filed in. What should I do?
Answer: You are not required to change where your bond is filed because you are permitted to
perform notary acts in all California counties. However, a business filing may elect to file a new
oath of office and bond in the new county but this is optional.

 
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Question:
I decided to change my legal name. What do I need to do next?
Answer: If a notary public changes his or her name, the notary public shall:
● Send a completed name change form to the Secretary of State.
● Once approved, you will be issued an amended commission that reflects your new
name.
● Next, you will need to file a new oath of office and an amendment to your bond with the
county clerk within 30 days from the date the amended commission was issued in order
for the name change to take effect.
● Within 30 days of the filing, you must obtain a new seal that reflects the new name.
● Once the amended oath and bond are filed, you may no longer use the commission,
including the stamp, that was issued in your previous name.
● If you fail to file your amended oath and bond within the 30-day time limit, the name
change will become void, your commission will revert back to the previous name, and
you will be required to submit another name change application.

Question:
What happens if I fail to notify the Secretary of State of my name or address change, within
30-days?
Answer: Willful failure to notify the Secretary of State of a change of address is punishable as
an infraction by a fine of not more than $500. (Government Code section 8213.5)

Question:
Can my employer require all notary fees be turned over to them and not allow me to perform
notary duties outside their place of business?
Answer: Yes if, the employer pays the premiums on any bond and the cost of any stamps,
seals, or other supplies required in connection with the appointment, commission, or
performance of the duties of such notary public.

Question:
If a person influences a notary to conduct an improper act are they guilty of a crime?
Answer: Yes, they can be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

Question:
What is the proper way for a notary to complete their journal entries?
Answer: All journal entries must be entered in sequential order and must contain details of
notarial acts performed.

Question:

 
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Is it okay to keep my journal and seal in the company safe? Do employees only have access
to open it?
Answer: No, it must be under the exclusive control of the notary.

Question:
Is there a time where the notary seal is NOT required on an acknowledgment?
Answer: The law allows a limited exception when a notary public may authenticate an official act
without using an official notary public seal. Because subdivision maps usually are drawn on a
material that will not accept standard stamp pad ink and other acceptable inks are not as readily
available, acknowledgments for California subdivision map certificates may be notarized without
the official seal. The notary public’s name, the county of the notary public’s principal place of
business, and the commission expiration date must be typed or printed below or immediately
adjacent to the notary public’s signature on the acknowledgment.

Question:
Are their special rules for placing the notary stamp on a document?
Answer: Yes. In some cases, if a notary public seal is illegible, it may be a cause for dismissal.
Thus, the seal must be legible and not placed over signatures or other printed material on the
document.

Question:
I lost my stamp. What do I do?
Answer: Send a letter immediately by CERTIFIED mail or any other means of physical delivery
that provides a receipt to the Secretary of State explaining what happened and, if applicable, a
photocopy of a police report. Upon written request, the Secretary of State will send an
authorization so you can have a new stamp made. (Government Code sections 8206 and
8207.3(e))

Questions:
If I resign my commission, what do I do with my seal?
Answer: If a person resigns, is termination, has their license revoked or a notary dies, their seal
must be destroyed.

Question:
What is the purpose of a Certificate of Acknowledgment?
Answer: The purpose of a Certificate of Acknowledgment is to acknowledge that the person who
signed appeared before the notary, was properly identified, and signed the document. You can
do this by peeling off the rubber portion of your stamp and cutting it into pieces.

Question:

 
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If a notary realizes the documents are NOT complete, can they still perform an
acknowledgment?
Answer: No, the notary public must refuse to notarize the document.

Question:
To complete an acknowledgment, does the signer have to sign the document in the presence of
the notary?
Answer: No, they only need to acknowledge that they did sign the document.

Question:
What is a subscribing witness?
Answer: Should a person that signed a document not be able to appear before the notary, the
signer may request another person to sign the document as a witness that the principal singer
did sign or stated to them that they signed the original document; therefore, this person is called
a “subscribing witness.”

Question:
Does a subscribing witness have to swear under oath?
Answer: Yes, they must swear under oath that:
● The subscribing witness either saw the principal sign the document or heard the signer
acknowledge that he or she signed the document.
● The principal requested that the subscribing witness sign the document as a witness.

Question:
When can a Subscribing Witness not be used?
Answer: A proof by a subscribing witness cannot be used with any Mortgage, Deed of Trust,
Security Agreement, Quitclaim Deed, or Grant Deed document. This makes sense since with
these documents the notary is required to obtain the right thumbprint for these types of
documents. As in the case of right thumbprints, a Proof by Subscribing witness may indeed be
used for a Deed of Reconveyance and a Trustee’s Deed if the property is in foreclosure. These
two documents are singled out because while they do contain the word “Deed” in them, they do
not require thumbprints and they may be used with a subscribing witness.

Question:
If there is a credible witness, what must the witness do?

Answer: The credible witnesses must sign the notary public’s journal and the notary public must
indicate in his or her journal the type of identifying documents, the identifying numbers of the

 
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documents, and the dates of issuance or expiration of the documents presented by the
witnesses to establish their identities. (Government Code section 8206(a)(2)(E))

Question:
Once a person has become a Notary Public, what other titles are they entitled to?
Answer: None. The only title they may use is “Notary Public.”

Question:
When a notary “notarizes a document,” they are notarizing that _____?
Answers: The person truly did sign the document.

Question:
If a notary has a financial interest in a document, are they allowed to notarize their own
signature?
Answer: No, if there is a financial interest, then you are not able to notarize your own document.

Question:
When inspecting a document before it is notarized, which act should a notary complete before
they notarize the signature?
Answer: They must inspect the document to determine that the document is COMPLETE.

Question:
If after reviewing a document the notary realizes that information is incomplete or missing, what
must the notary do?
Answer: The notary must refuse to notarize the document.

Question:
If a notary is presented a document that is in a foreign language (non-English) can a notary
notarize a signature in that document?
Answer: Yes, a notary may notarize a foreign language document.

Question:
A notary is requested to notarize a document by a person that speaks a different language and
is not able to communicate with their customers, are they able to notarize their documents?
Answer: No, a notary must be able to communicate with their customers.

Question:

 
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If a person with a foreign language brings an interpreter in with them to notarize a document,
how should the notary proceed?
Answer: The customer should be referred to a notary who speaks the customer's language.

Question:
If a notary is unable to identify the type of foreign language document being notarized, what
should the notary enter into the journal?
Answer: They should enter the type of document as, “a document in a foreign language.”

Question:
In what language must the notarial certificate be written when the document is in a foreign
language?
Answer: The notarial certificate must be written in English.

Question:
Before the notary can notarize the signature of a document what must the notary confirm?
Answer: The notary must confirm the identity of a person before they can notarize a signature.

Question:
What is satisfactory evidence?
Answer: Satisfactory evidence is used to establish the identity of a signer which includes:
1) the oath of 1 credible witness;
2) the oaths of 2 credible witnesses;
3) proper identification documents.

Question:
If you as a notary personally know the signer, is this sufficient or “satisfactory evidence” to
establish the identity of the signer?
Answer: No, this is not satisfactory evidence.

Question:
If an ID document is not current but issued less than 5 years ago, is the document valid to use?
Answer: Yes, a requirement of ID documents is that they must be current or issued within the
previous 5 years.

Question:
Is it true that U.S. passports aren’t required to have a description of the person to be an
acceptable ID?

 
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Answer: True. A passport issued by the U.S. doesn’t have to have the description of the
person to be considered an acceptable ID.

Question:
Is an inmate ID a valid form of ID in or out of custody?
Answer: False. For an inmate ID card to be valid, the inmate has to be in the custody of the
issuing state or local sheriff’s department detention facility.

Question:
Can you list 4 items that must be present on ID’s to be listed as reasonable evidence?
Answers: IDs must have:
1) Serial number or other identifying number;
2) a photograph;
3) description of the person;
4) signature of the person.

Question:
A foreign passport by any government must have what in order for it to be acceptable?
Answer: Any foreign passport must have been stamped by the U.S. Immigration or
Naturalization Services or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Question:
Once a notary, do you have the power to perform a marriage?
Answer: No, except for those authorized by California Law.

Question:
Does a notary have the ability to charge any fee they wish?
Answer: No. The maximum fees allowed are listed in the notary handbook.

Question:
Is it required to write “zero” to indicate that no fee was charged for a notary service?
Answer: Yes, a notary must write in his journal “zero” to indicate that no fee was charged.

Question:
What is the Maximum Allowable fee for the signing of an Acknowledgment?
Answer: $15 for each signature acknowledged.

Question:
What is the Maximum Allowable fee for administering an oath or affirmation to one person?
Answer: $15 per individual taking the oath or affirmation & certificate.

 
 21  
Question:
What is the Maximum Allowable fee for taking a deposition, administering the oath of office
certificate of deposition?
Answer: For all services rendered in connection with the taking of any deposition, the sum of
thirty dollars ($30), and in addition thereto, the sum of seven dollars ($7) for administering the
oath to the witness and the sum of seven dollars ($7) for the certificate to the deposition.

Question:
How long does a notary public have to file his oath of office and $15,000 surety bond?
Answer: This must be done within 30 days of the start date in the notary commission.

Question:
In what county must the notary file their bond and oath?
Answer: Both the oath and bond must be filed with the county clerk where the principal place of
business of the notary is located.

Question:
What is an acceptable exception for not having the oath and bond filed within 30-days?
Answer: None. Exceptions are not made to the 30-day filing requirement due to mail service
delays, county clerk mail processing delays, or for any other reason. (CGC 8213)

Question:
Once a notary changes their business address or residence address, how long do they have to
notify the Secretary of State's office?
Answer: They must notify the Secretary of State by Certified mail within 30-days.

Question:
Can a notary be guilty of an infraction if they don’t notify the Secretary of State of his address
changes within 30-days?
Answer: Yes, and the infraction can be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 (CGC 8213.5)

Question:
Can a commercial mailbox or Post Office Box (PO Box) be listed as 1) residence address OR 2)
the principal place of business.
Answer: No.

Question:
What addresses need to be updated if there are changes (business or personal)?
Answer: Both. Any change of address must be reported to the Secretary of State's office.

Question:

 
 22  
When completing a ​Jurat​ using ​credible witnesses​ to establish the signer's identity, how
many credible witnesses do you need?
Answer: You will need one credible witness if the notary personally knows the witness OR two
credible witnesses if they don’t personally know the witness in order to establish the signer's
identity. ( 1185(b)(3) and (b) (4) )

Question:
What is a good example of a Jurat Oath?
Answer: “Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the contents of this document are the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?” (California Code of Civil Procedure
2094(2); California Evidence Code 165)

Question:
Is a notary able to certify copies of a birth certificate?
Answer: No, a notary is not able to certify copies of any vital records such as Birth Certificates,
Marriage License, or Death Certificate. Copies of these documents may lawfully be certified only
by officials in the relevant public records office. (CGC 8230)

Question:
What is the purpose of a Subscribing Witness?
Answer: If a person, called the principal, has signed a document but does not personally appear
before a notary public, another person can appear on the principal’s behalf to prove the principal
signed (or “executed”) the document. That person is called a subscribing witness. (Code of Civil
Procedure section 1935)

Question:
Are their limitations to when a “Subscribing Witness” CAN NOT be used?
Answer: Yes, A proof of execution by a subscribing witness cannot be used in conjunction with
any power of attorney, quitclaim deed, grant deed (other than a trustee’s deed resulting from a
decree of foreclosure, or a nonjudicial foreclosure pursuant to Civil Code section 2924, or to a
deed of reconveyance), mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, any instrument affecting
real property, or any instrument requiring a notary public to obtain a thumbprint from the party
signing the document in the notary public’s journal.

Question:
When applying to become a notary, are you required to list any trials against you that are
pending?
Answer: Yes, you are also required to list any convictions against you no matter how small.

Question:
Is a conviction of a felony offense a reason for refusal to be appointed or punished as a notary?

 
 23  
Answer: Yes (CGC 8214.4)

Question:

When advertising in Spanish, can a person use the literal translation, notario publico?
Answer: No. You cannot use the literal translation of Notary Public when advertising any
language. (CGC 8219.5)

Question:
Do I need to state any disclaimers when advertising in a foreign language?
Answer: Yes, every notary public who is not an attorney who advertises the services of a notary
public in a language other than English by signs or other means of written communication, with
the exception of a single desk plaque, shall post with that advertisement a notice in English and
in another language which sets forth the following: (CGC 8219.5)
i. This statement: I am not an attorney and, therefore, CANNOT give legal advice about
immigration or any other legal matters.
ii. The fees set by statute which a notary public may charge.

Question:
When making a Journal entry, what would be the proper entry for the type of document?
Answer: The “type of document” should be listed as the title of the document which is most often
found at the top of the page.

Question:
When filling in the “Venue Statement,” you are listing what?
Answer: You are listing the county in which the person appeared before the notary public.

Question:
When filling in the day, month and year in the journal entry, what date should be used?
Answer: The date must the one by which the person personally appeared in front of the notary.

Question:
When can a person use a Signature by Mark?
Answer: When the signer of an instrument cannot write (sign) his or her name, that person may
sign the document by mark. (Civil Code section 14.)

Question:
Are witnesses required when a Signature by Mark is used?
Answer: Yes, The signer’s mark must be witnessed by two persons who must subscribe their
own names as witnesses on the document. One witness should write the person’s name next to
the person’s mark and then the witness should sign his or her name as a witness. The

 
 24  
witnesses are only verifying that they witnessed the individual make his or her mark on the
document.

Question:
Is a notary able to certify powers of attorney?
Answer: Yes.

Question:
If a notary is convicted of a felony, are you required to surrender the notary seal to the court?
Answer: Yes, upon conviction of any felony or any crime relating to misconduct on the part of a
notary, the court shall revoke the commission of the notary public, and shall require the notary
public to surrender to the court the seal of the notary public. (CGC 8214.8)

Question:
If a person knowingly destroys a notary journal is that a crime?
Answer: If any person shall knowingly destroy, deface, or conceal any records or papers
belonging to the office of a notary public, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be
liable in a civil action for damages to any person injured as a result of such destruction,
defacing, or concealment. (CGC 8221)

Question:
If a person attempts to convince a notary to make an improper notarial act, can they be found
guilty of a crime?
Answer: Yes, Any person who solicits, coerces, or in any manner influences a notary public to
perform an improper notarial act knowing that act to be an improper notarial act, including any
act required of a notary public under Section 8206, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (CGC
8225)

Question:
Is a notary able to notarize a signature on an immigration document?
Answer: Yes, however, they may not help advise or fill out any information unless they are
certified by the state to do so.

Question:
Can a California registered immigration consultation or an attorney help a person fill out
immigration forms?
Answer: Yes.

Question:
Can an immigration consultation also advertise as a notary?

 
 25  
Answer: NO. A notary public legally is barred from advertising in any manner whatsoever
that he or she is a notary public if the notary public promotes himself or herself as an
immigration specialist or consultant. (Government Code section 8223)

Question:
Do the two credible witnesses need to swear (or affirm) that they personally know the signer?
Answer: Yes, (California Civil Code 1185).

Question:
Do the two credible witnesses need to swear (or affirm) that the signer doesn’t have an ID to
establish their own identity?
Answer: Yes, (California Civil Code 1185).

Question:
Can any of the credible witnesses be listed in or have a financial interest in the document being
signed?
Answer: No, a credible witness must not have any financial interest or be listed in the document.
(California Civil Code 1185)

Question:
For the privacy of a signer, can a notary skip around in their notary journal?
Answer: No. All notarial acts must be recorded in sequential order.

Question:
What is the infraction if a notary does not willfully maintain their notary public journal?
Answer: A notary public is guilty of a misdemeanor if the notary public willfully fails to properly
maintain the notary public’s journal. (Government Code section 8228.1)

Question:
If a notary has an outstanding court order or judgment, can they be refused to be a notary?
Answer: Yes (CGC 8214.1)

Question:
If I fail to report a damaged or lost or stolen journal, can I be denied reappointment?
Answer: Yes, (CGC 8214.1).

Question:
Is a reason for the refusal to re-appoint as a notary due to using the phrase Spanish, notario
publico?

 
 26  
Answer: Yes, (CGC 8214.1).

Question:
Is the date and time required to be recorded in the notary journal?
Answer: Yes. Date, time and type of each official act (e.g., acknowledgment, jurat) os required
to be recorded in the notary journal. (CGC 8206)

Question:
Can a notary journal be seized by a peace officer that is investigating a crime and has reason to
believe there is evidence in the journal?
Answer: Yes, the notary public shall not surrender the journal to any other person, EXCEPT the
county clerk, pursuant to Section 8209, or immediately, or if the journal is not present then as
soon as possible, upon request to a peace officer investigating a criminal offense who has
reasonable suspicion to believe the journal contains evidence of a criminal offense.

Question:
If a sequential journal is seized for legal reasons by a peace officer and a new journal has been
obtained, can the notary add additional entries when the journal is returned?
Answer: No. If the journal relinquished to a peace officer is returned to the notary public and a
new journal has been obtained, the notary public shall make NO new entries in the returned
journal (Section 8206).

Question:
Is it required to record the signature of each person whose signature is being notarized?
Answer: Yes, (Section 8206).

Question:
When recording the type of ID used, what must be included?
Answer: 1) the governmental agency issuing the document, 2) the serial or identifying number of
the document, and 3) the date of issue or expiration of the document.

Question:
What items need to be recorded when using two credible witnesses as satisfactory evidence?
Answer: The signatures and a form of ID’s used by the credible witnesses (CGC 8206).

Question:
If the notary doesn’t charge a fee for a notary act, can they leave the fee box blank?
Answer: No, they must write $0 as the fee (CGC 8206).

Question:
What types of documents require a right thumbprint entry in the journal?

 
 27  
Answer: If the document to be notarized is a deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, or other
document affecting real property or a power of attorney document, the notary public shall
require the party signing the document to place his or her right thumbprint in the journal.

Question:
What should you do if the right thumbprint is not available?
Answer: If the right thumbprint is not available, then the notary public shall have the party use
his or her left thumb, or any available finger, and shall so indicate in the journal. If the party
signing the document is physically unable to provide a thumb or fingerprint, the notary public
shall so indicate in the journal and shall also provide an explanation of that physical condition.

Question:
What is an Acknowledgement used for?
Answer: In the certificate of acknowledgment, the notary public certifies:
1) That the signer personally appeared before the notary public on the date indicated in
the county indicated;
2) To the identity of the signer;
3)That the signer acknowledged executing the document.

Question:
Are there any times the right thumbprint is not required when dealing with real property?
Answer: Yes, it shall not apply to a trustee’s deed resulting from a decree of foreclosure or a
nonjudicial foreclosure pursuant to Section 2924 of the Civil Code, nor to a deed of
reconveyance.

Question:
What does a Certificate of Acknowledgment verify?
Answer: The identity of the person whom is signing the document (California Civil Code 1189).

Question:
Can the Notary Seal and Signature be attached to any document?
Answer: It is not acceptable to affix a notary public seal and signature to a document without the
notarial wording.

Question:
What is a “Venu Statement”?
Answer: It states the ​county and state by which the notarization act took place. For
example, Sacramento County, California​.

Question:

 
28 
Can a notary advertise their services in a language other than English?
Answer: Yes, however, when doing so, they must also include that they are not an attorney
and cannot give legal advice on immigration matters.

Question:
Are their different fee structures for a notary who is appointed to a military reservation?
Answer: They are not allowed to charge a fee.

Question:
Can I notarize a document using a LIVE video feed?
Answer: No. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is NOT a personal
appearance in front of a notary public under California State law.
29 
California Notary Study Questions
These study questions are designed to prepare you for the California Notary State Exam. They
are not intended to be used as legal references. To register for your exam please visit:
https://www.cpshr.us/exam-registration/notary/registration/
1. Name “One” a 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
2. Your jurisdiction will be limited to
what geographical area:
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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Using the words notario publico:
a. Is encouraged
b. Is legal only in California
c. Is prohibited in California
d. Indicates lingual ability
8. 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
 30  
9. Death Certificates: 15. The size of the stamp could be:
a. Must be notarized for free a. No more than 2 inches
b. Are not notarized b. 1 inch in width by 2 ½ inches
c. Are filed with the IRS in length
d. All of the above c. 2 ½ inches by 6 inches
d. At least a 10pt font.
10. A subscribing witness can bring you
a. Quit Claim Deed 16. If you are one of the following
b. Grant Deed concerning a document, you must
c. Mortgage NOT notarize it:
d. Homestead Declaration a. Agent
b. Employer
11. The penalty for stating a known false c. Lawyer
fact as true is d. Trustor or Trustee
a. $750
b. $1,500 17. The fine for overcharging for a
c. $10,000 non-immigration form is:
d. $75,000 a. Up to $10
b. Up to $1,000
12. Two credible witnesses c. Up to $75,000
a. Are not allowed d. Up to $750
b. Must be over 21
c. Must be fingerprinted 18. The fine for failing to notify the State
d. None of the above that your stamp or journal was lost
is:
13. When do you officially become a a. Up to $10
notary? b. Up to $1,000
a. When you pass the exam c. Up to $1,500
b. When the Secretary of State d. Up to $750
sends your commission
c. When you do your first 19. Willful failure to provide a peace
certificate officer with a journal when requested
d. When your oath and bond is punishable by a civil penalty of up
are filed to:
a. $750
14. The notary stamp may be: b. $1,500
a. Triangle c. $500
b. Rectangular d. $2,500
c. Only a circle
d. None of the above

 
 31  
20. What is the fine for failing to post 24. A notary can certify a copy of a
signs in English and in the other power of attorney according to
language that you use that you are the:
not an attorney and cannot give a. Civil Code
legal advice: b. Probate Code
a. Up to $750 fine c. Bus. & Prof. Code
b. Up to $1,500 fine and at least d. Notary Public Code
one-year suspension of
commission and on a second 25. You may turn your journal over to:
time – revocation of a. Your Employer
commission for life b. No one
c. Two – four years in prison c. A Peace Officer with
d. $75,000 fine probable cause
d. An Auditor
21. When a regulation states 30 days it
means: 26. During the signature by mark
a. Calendar days process, how many people write the
b. Business days name of the X signer:
c. a & b a. At least three
d. none of the above b. Two
c. One
22. Your commission start date is dated d. None
04/24/19 and you get your oath filed
on 05/11/19. Your commission will 27. If you move, you must contact the:
expire: a. Secretary of State
a. Immediately – you were too b. Your employer
late c. County Clerk
b. 04/23/2023 d. Department of Notary Public
c. 05/11/2023
d. 05/11/2020 28. If you move, you must contact the
proper authority within:
23. The fee for notarizing a circulator’s a. 1 day
affidavit is: b. 10 days
a. $0 c. 30 days
b. $7.00 d. 6 months
c. $15.00
d. Negotiable

 
32 
29. If you give up your journal to a 35. Notary certificates are signed by:
proper authority, you must notify the a. Notary
Secretary of State within: b. Secretary of State
a. 1 day c. Client
b. 10 days d. Lender
c. 30 days
d. 1 month 36. An ID needs the holder’s:
30. A commission is valid for ______ a. Picture
years: b. Signature
a. 1 year c. Physical Description
b. 2 years d. All of the above
c. 4 years
d. 6 years 37. When taking an oath:
a. Signer must raise right hand
31. Your notary bond is worth: b. Signer must pay extra fee
a. $15,000 c. Signer must repeat oath
b. $750 d. Raising right hand is not
c. $75,000 required
d. $1,500
38. Notaries must:
32. The statute of limitations for making a. Keep a photocopy of every
a statement known to be false is: document notarized
a. One year b. Keep their stamp and journal
b. Two years under their direct control
c. Three years c. Refuse service for all
d. Four years documents with the word
Original in the title
33. To be acceptable, ID’s must be d. None of the above
current or issued within the past:
a. 1 year 39. When you resign a commission, you
b. 2 years deliver all your papers to:
c. 5 years a. Secretary of State
d. 10 years b. County Clerk where your
current oath is on file
34. What does not need to be on a US c. Your employer
passport? d. None of the above
a. Picture of holder
b. Holder’s signature
c. Description of the Person
d. Date of issue
 33  
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
41. A notary seeking reappointment
must retake the notary exam:
a. Any time after you have to
pay a fine
b. Only once in your life
c. Every 4 years
d. None of the above
42. The fine for willful failure to notify the
Secretary of State of an address or
name change is:
a. $500
b. $750
c. $1,500
d. $15,000
43. Notaries can/must 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
44. Which is a 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. A right thumb print is
required for all notary acts
d. No statement is true
45. 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
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
47. A notary is obligated to:
a. Purchase a Surety Bond
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
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
 34  
49. A non-attorney notary (qualified &
bonded as an immigration
consultant) may charge up to $15
for:
a. Completing a person’s
immigration application
b. Oaths and affirmation
c. Per signature on a Jurat
d. 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
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
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
53. Satisfactory evidence of identity
means relying on either:
a. ID cards
b. Credible identifying
witnesses
c. Business card photos
d. a and b
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
55. An oath is:
a. An affirmation
b. Never used
c. A solemn spoken pledge
d. a and c
56. A certified copy certifies that the
reproduction:
a. Is accurate
b. Is never done
c. Can be charged $50
d. None of the above
57. Influencing a notary to perform
improperly is a:
a. Moral Turpitude Felony
b. Misdemeanor
c. Felony
d. Infraction
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
 35  
59. Which of the following is signed in
the presence of the notary:
a. Acknowledgment
b. Jurat
c. Certificate
d. None of the above
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
61. Notaries obtain their seals from the:
a. Secretary of State
b. County Clerk
c. Approved vendors or
manufacturers
d. Their employer
62. When a subscribing witness brings a
document the action is called:
a. Acknowledgment
b. Protest
c. Jurat
d. Proof of Execution
63. 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
64. 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
65. 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
66. 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
67. 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
 36  
68. 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
69. A Military Notary:
a. Is appointed by their
commanding officer.
b. Charges no fees
c. Can only notarize classified
documents
d. None of the above
70. A person who is not commissioned
and holds herself out as a notary is:
a. Guilty of a felony
b. A Sudo Notary
c. Guilty of an infraction
d. Guilty of a misdemeanor
71. 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 a journal
d. Appoint another employee to
use the journal when the
notary is absent
72. A notary must respond to a
request for a transaction within
____days.
a. One
b. Two
c. Thirty
d. Fifteen
73. The notary or security bond protects
the:
a. Notary
b. Public
c. Employer
d. Secretary of State
74. The only documents that do not
require a seal are:
a. Subdivision maps
b. Veterans certificate
c. Circulator’s affidavit
d. Change of venue
75. The county named in the Venue is
where:
a. The signer personally
appeared
b. The notary’s place of
business
c. Where the signer lives
d. None of the above
76. 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
37 
77. If asked to notarize an incomplete
document, a notary should:
a. Make a note in the journal
b. Take a thumbprint
c. Require second witness
d. Refuse
78. 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
79. The most frequently completed form
is:
a. The acknowledgment
b. Jurat
c. Confidential marriage license
d. Protest
80. Susan, 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
81. 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
82. 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
83. 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
84. 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
85. 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
38 
86. 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
87. 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
88. 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
89. 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
90. 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
91. 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
92. 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
 39  
93. A proof of execution may be
performed on a:
a. Deed of reconveyance
b. Quitclaim deed
c. Security agreement
d. Deed of trust
94. 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
95. 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
96. You are not automatically
disqualified from doing a notarization
when you are a:
a. Lessor
b. Vendee
c. Real Estate Agent
d. Grantor
97. 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
98. 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
99. 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
100. 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
101. 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
 40  
102. 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 than
the general public
d. Entering the amount charged
in your journal
103. 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
104. It is allowable for a notary to
notarize for a family member when
acting as a:
a. Grantor
b. Trustee
c. Lessor
d. Employee
105. 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
106. 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
107. If your employer 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
108. 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.
 41  
109. No fees may be charged for
verifying:
a. A jurat
b. Nomination document or
circulator’s affidavit
c. Any acknowledgments
d. Any protests
110. 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
111. 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
112. 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
113. 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
114. Notaries need not record in their
journals:
a. The date and time of
notarization
b. The fees charged for notarial
services
c. Type of document notarized
d. The signer’s address
115. 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
116. Any person who coerces a
notary to perform improperly is guilty
of:
a. A Felony
b. An Infraction
c. Nothing
d. Misdemeanor
 42  
117. 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
118. The main purpose of an
acknowledgment is to:
a. Authenticate signatures
b. Establish mental competence
c. Require personal
appearance
d. Both a and c
119. 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
120. 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
121. 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
122. 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
123. 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
124. 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
 43  
d. All of the above
125. Exceptions to personal
appearance by the principal are:
a. There are none
b. Credible witness
c. Photo Business Card
d. Subscribing Witness
126. A foreign passport must have
one additional item:
a. Stamp from U.S. Immigration
Agency
b. Address of signer
c. Phone number of Issuing
Country
d. Thumbprint
127. 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
128. 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
129. The keywording of an
acknowledgment is:
a. Subscribed and sworn to
b. I swear the document is true
c. Personally appeared
d. Protest the payment
130. 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
131. The true statement below about
qualifications is, you must be:
a. Able to read Spanish
b. A U.S. Citizen
c. Currently Employed
d. Resident of California
132. 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
133. 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
 44  
134. 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

135. 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

136. 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

 
 45  
1. D - Appointment
2. A - Geographic Jurisdiction
3. D - P.C. #126
4. C - Requirements
5. B - G.C. 8207.3
6. C - G.C. 8207.2
7. C - G.C. 8219.5 (c)
8. D - P.C. #115.5
9. B - Certified Copies
10. D - Subscribing Witness
11. C - C.C. 1189
12. D - C.C. 1185
13. D - Requirements
14. B - G.C. 8207
15. B - G.C. 8207
16. D - G.C. 8224
17. D - G.C. 8214.15
18. C - G.C. 8214.15
19. D - G.C. 8214.21
20. B - G.C. 8219.5
21. A - Requirements
22. B - G.C. 8204
23. A - Elections Code 8080
24. B - Powers of Attorney
25. C - G.C. 8206
26. C - Signature by Mark
27. A - G.C. 8213.5
28. C - G.C. 8213.5
29. B - G.C. 8206 (d)
30. C - G.C. 8204
31. A - Requirements
32. D - G.C. 6203
33. C - C.C. 1185 (3)
34. C - C.C. 1185 (4)
35. A - C.C. 1193
36. D - C.C. 1185 (4)
37. D - Jurat
38. B - G.C. 8206 (a) (1)
39. B - Commissions
40. D – Requirements & Time
Limit
41. C – G.C. 8204
42. A - G.C. 8213.6
43. D - G.C. 8202.7, Incomplete
Documents
44. B - G.C. 8211
45. D – Foreign Languages
46. B & C - G.C. 8206
47. A – Notary Public Bond
48. B - C.C.P. 2094
49. D - G.C. 8223 (b)
50. D - G.C. 8224
51. D – Appointment &
Qualifications
52. C - C.C. 8207.3; Common
Questions & Answers
53. D - C.C. 1185
54. B - (a) 3 – C.C. 8205(3)
55. D - C.C.P. 2094
56. A - Probate Code 4307
57. B - G.C. 8225
58. C - G.C. 8224
59. B - Jurat
60. D - Acknowledgments
61. C - G.C. 8207; Notary Seal
62. D - Subscribing Witness C.C.
1195
63. D - Subscribing Witness C.C.
1196
64. D - Subscribing Witness C.C.
1935
65. C – Notary Public Seal G.C.
8213.5
66. D - G.C. 8205
67. B - C.C. 1185
68. D - Last Paragraph
69. B - G.C. 8203.6
70. D - G.C. 8227.1
71. A - G.C. 8206G (d)
46 
72. D - G.C. 8206.5
73. B - Bonds
74. A - Notary Public Seal
75. A - Geographic Jurisdiction
76. D - Notary Public Journal #3
77. D – Notarization of
Incomplete Documents
78. D - Seal
79. A - Acknowledgment
80. A - G.C. 8219.5
81. A – Notary Public Journal
82. D – Notary Public Seal
83. C – Illegal Advertising
84. D - C.C. 1185
85. A - Signature by Mark
86. D – Notary Public Journal
87. D - G.C. 8206 (c)
88. A - G.C. 8206(G)
89. D - G.C. 8202.8
90. A - Identification
91. C - G.C. 8206 (c)
92. A – Change of Address
93. A – Proof of Execution
94. B - G.C. 8209
95. B - Jurat
96. C - G.C. 8224
97. D - G.C. 8202.8
98. C – Illegal Advertising
99. B - G.C. 8211
100. B - Fees
101. D - G.C. 8214.1 (g)
102. A - Grounds for Denial
103. C - G.C. 8202.5
104. D - G.C. 8224
105. B - C.C. 1189 (c)
106. B - C.C.P. 2094
107. C – Notary Public Journal
108. D - G.C. 8209
109. B - E.C. 8080
110. A - Signature by Mark
111. D – Foreign Language
112. C – Notary Public Journal
113. A – C.C. 1185(1)(A)
114. D – G.C. 6800
115. D - Notary Public Journal
116. D - G.C. 8225
117. A - Notary Public
Education
118. D - Identification
119. D - Acknowledgment
120. B - Acknowledgment
121. D - Change of Address
122. C - Identification
123. C - Jurat
124. D - P. 35 – C.C. 1185
125. D - Subscribing Witness
126. A - Identification
127. C – Requirements &
Time Limits
128. B - Notary Public Bond
129. C - Acknowledgement
130. B – C.C. 1196
131. D – Appointment &
Qualifications
132. A – Acknowledgement
133. B – Foreign Language
134. B - G.C. 8219.5
135. A - Fees
136. C - G.C. 8204.1