Notary Public Quiz

Study Guide can be viewed here

1. What is the primary role of a notary public?

To give legal advice
To witness and authenticate documents
To draft contracts
To litigate in court

2. Which tool does a notary use to provide an official seal on documents?

Signature pen
Stamp or embosser
Magnifying glass
Legal pad

3. What should a notary do if they suspect a signatory is under duress?

Notify the police immediately
Continue notarizing the document
Refuse to notarize the document
Ask the signatory to come back later

4. Which document verifies a person's identity for the notary?

A written testimonial
A bill or invoice
A personal letter
A government-issued photo ID

5. Which of the following is not typically a duty of a notary?

Administering oaths
Taking affidavits
Representing clients in court
Verifying a person's willingness to sign a document

6. For how long can a notary typically keep their commission, before renewal is needed?

1 year
4 years
10 years
For life

7. Which type of notary act requires the signer to swear or affirm the truthfulness of the contents of a document?

Jurat
Acknowledgment
Proof
Certification

8. In which scenario is a notary not allowed to notarize a document?

For a family member
On a Sunday
At their place of employment
For a document in a foreign language they cannot understand

9. What does it mean when a document has been 'apostilled'?

It has been notarized
It's ready for international recognition
It's void of any legal significance
It's been translated into multiple languages

10. What is essential for a notary act to be valid?

A photo of the signing
A witness besides the notary
The personal appearance of the signer at the time of notarization
A digital copy of the document

11. Which of the following is not a type of notary public?

Traditional notary
Electronic notary
Real estate notary
Remote online notary

12. In which location is a notary less likely to work?

Banks
Real estate offices
Law firms
Hospitals

13. A notary public's journal is intended to...

Keep personal notes
Store stamped documents
Record details of notarial acts
Advertise services

14. Who commissions (or appoints) notaries public in the United States?

The U.S. President
Local town or city councils
The Secretary of State for each state
The American Bar Association

15. What is 'notary misconduct'?

When a notary charges more than the state-approved fee
When a notary takes a day off
When a notary refuses to notarize a document for a family member
When a notary gives legal advice

16. What does a 'notarial certificate' indicate?

The notary's date of birth
The expiration date of a product
The specific notarial act performed
The location where the notary can work

17. Who is responsible for the contents of a document being notarized?

The notary public
The signatory
The recipient of the document
The government

18. Can a notary public refuse to serve someone?

No, they must serve everyone
Yes, if the person doesn't have proper identification
Yes, if they don't feel like it
Yes, if the notary and the person have a conflict of interest

19. What is the maximum fee a notary can charge for their services?

It depends on the market rate
It's fixed by federal law
It's fixed by state law
It's decided by the individual notary

20. Can a notary public perform notarial acts in any state?

Yes, their commission is valid nationwide
No, they can only operate in the state they are commissioned in
Yes, but only for federal documents
No, they can only operate in their county of commission

21. Which of the following is a standard feature of a notary seal?

Notary's pet name
Notary's commission expiration date
Notary's favorite color
Notary's birth date

22. In case a notary is uncertain about a signer's mental capacity, what should they do?

Continue with the notarization
Refuse the notarization
Consult with a doctor
Ask the signer's family

23. Which is NOT a valid reason for a notary to decline service?

The signer doesn't speak the same language
Lack of proper identification
The notary is personally involved in the transaction
The document is incomplete

24. What should a notary do if they make a mistake on the notarial certificate?

Use white-out to correct the mistake
Cross out the mistake and initial it
Leave it as is
Complete a new notarial certificate

25. Can a notary notarize their own documents?

Yes
No
Only if they are not a party to the transaction
Only with special permission

26. What is a thumbprint typically used for in a notary journal?

To verify a signer's identity
For artistic purposes
To ensure the notary's identity
To check for criminal background

27. In what case might a notary need to use a credible witness?

When the signer has proper identification
When the signer lacks proper identification
When the notary forgets their journal
When the notary wants to verify their own identity

28. Which of the following is NOT a common type of notarial act?

Verification
Oath
Protest
Countersign

29. What is the best way for a notary to confirm the willingness of a signer?

Ask the signer directly
Ask a credible witness
Guess based on body language
Read the document aloud

30. A notary's seal and journal should be...

Kept in a public place
Stored securely when not in use
Given to a trusted friend for safekeeping
Discarded after each use

31. What is a notarial protest typically used for?

Verifying a signer's identity
Confirming the truthfulness of a statement
Declining a notary request
Noting the dishonor of a negotiable instrument

32. Can a notary charge for travel expenses?

No, never
Yes, if the state allows and the charges are reasonable
Yes, but only out of the state
Yes, but they must provide a car rental receipt

33. What can happen if a notary commits official misconduct?

They can lose their commission
They will receive a medal
They will get a raise
Nothing, it's all part of the job

34. Which of the following is a sign that a document might be fraudulent?

It's printed in color
The signer is nervous
There are white-out marks or alterations
It's longer than 2 pages

35. What is the difference between a mobile notary and a traditional notary?

A mobile notary can move and walk
A mobile notary is only available through phone
A mobile notary travels to perform notarial acts
There is no difference

36. When can a notary decline an oath administration?

If they disagree with the content
If they haven't had their morning coffee
If the oath is for an illegal or deceptive purpose
If the person swearing is wearing shoes

37. A remote online notarization (RON) allows a notary to notarize a document...

In a remote village
Using audio-visual technology without the physical presence of the signer
Only for foreign documents
While on vacation

38. Which statement about a notary bond is true?

It protects the notary from legal costs
It ensures the notary does the job correctly
It's a connection between two notaries
It's designed to compensate anyone harmed by a notary's mistake

39. Which of the following documents might a notary NOT be authorized to notarize?

Deed of Trust
Birth Certificate
Affidavit
Power of Attorney

40. If asked, is a notary obligated to provide proof of their commission?

No, never
Yes, always
Only to law enforcement officials
Only on weekends