California Notary Public Exam + Legal Terms + 5 Practice Exams with 400+ Ques (2025/2026), Exams of Law

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The Ultimate Study Guide to Pass Your Exam in Just 10 Days Without

Breaking a Sweat

Includes 400+ Practice Tests with Detailed Answers

Inside, you'll get:

. The book uses the question and answer method of subject presentation and studying which has a long history of success. . Selected legal terms are explained to help you better understand the law and be a more knowledgeable practicing notary public. . Quick Questions in flash card format help you memorize important facts. . Multiple Choice Questions help you connect important aspects of the law. . Practice exams help you to further sharpen up for both the format and subject matter of the notary exam.

Prepare for success! Use this book now - and during your notary public career.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

California Notary Public Practice Test 1………………………………

California Notary Public Practice Test 2……………………………… 24

California Notary Public Practice Test 3……………………………… 49

California Notary Public Practice Test 4……………………………… 73

California Notary Public Practice Test 5……………………………… 93

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5. You are notarizing a document for a personal friend. Which of the following must be included in your journal? A. Signer's name B. Signer's address C. Notary fee D. Length of time you have known that friend Answer C. Notary fee
6. Karen needs to acknowledge her signature on a document. Upon scanning the document, however, the Notary notices that the document is missing a safe deposit box number. Since Karen was in a hurry, she left the number at home. She assures the Notary that she will fill it in when she gets home. Can the Notary notarize the document Answer No, the document is incomplete.
7. An individual applied for a Notary commission, but the application was denied. Which of the following was most likely the cause for denial? A. The individual is not a U.S. citizen B. The individual in only 18 years of age C. The individual in a Nevada resident D. The individual is making child support payments Answer C. The individual is a Nevada resident.
8. 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 Answer D. All of the above

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9. 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 notariza- tion fees C. Charging a friend less than the general public D. Entering the amount charged in your journal Answer A. Not paying child child support
10. What penalty could be enforced for failure to administer an oath or affir- mation when required by law? A. $500 fine B. $1,000 fine C. $2,500 fine D. Commission suspension Answer D. Commission suspension. ($750 was not an option)
11. A Notary was found guilty of a misdemeanor. For which of the following was the Notary most likely prosecuted? A. Failing to make family support payments B. Failing to remit any court ordered judgment to the Sec. of State C. Acting as a Notary without a valid commission Answer C. Acting as a Notary without a valid commission
12. On which document may you NOT perform a proof of execution? A. Trustee's Deed B. Quitclaim Deed C. Demand Letter D. Business Contract Answer B. Quitclaim Deed (may NEVER use real estate related docs or power of attorney)

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16. A Notary must not charge a fee for notarizations on A. A Veterans Affairs life insurance form B. The oath for the credible witness C. A circulator's affidavit D. All of the above Answer D. All of the above.
17. A Notary's commission expired on Oct 10, 2024. She renewed her com- mission before her old commission expired, and the new commission began on Oct 11, 2024. Since she has a new commission with a new commission number, which of the following should the Notary do? A. a new journal for the new commission number

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B. Keep using the same journal C. Start a new journal to keep at home and leave one at the office D. Record notarizations on a new sheet of paper Answer B. Keep using the same journal

18. A notary may only certify a copy of a journal item entry upon receipt of which of the following A. A subpoena B. A court order C. A written request by the Sec. of State D. All of the above Answer D. All of the above
19. Which of the following is a statutory administrative penalty for negligent failure to perform the duties and responsibilities required of a Notary? A. Commission suspension and a $1,000 fine B. Commission suspension and a fine of up to $ C. Commission revocation and a $1,500 fine D. Commission denial and a $1,500 fine Answer B. Commission suspension and a fine of up to $750. (key word:negligent)
20. A proof of execution by subscribing witness may be performed on a A. Deed of reconveyance B. Quitclaim deed C. Security agreement D. Deed of trust Answer A. Deed of reconveyance. (also trustee's deed of foreclosure as these do not require thumbprints)
21. The administrative penalty for failing to comply with the requirements for advertising notarial services in a foreign language is

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discovered the embezzlement and did not want to officially file charges, instead the Notary and the employer agreed that the Notary would pay back the funds over time and the Notary signs a document agreeing to these terms. What is the maximum penalty for this violation? A. $750 B. $1500 C. $ D. $ Answer B. $

*Willful failure to discharge fully and faithfully any of the duties or responsibilities required of a Notary Public.

25. 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 Answer B. 5 days

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26. If a notary willingly and knowingly notarizes a real estate document that they know to be fraudulent, they are guilty of a Answer Felony (misdemeanor + real estate)
27. When do you officially become a Notary Answer When your oath and bond are filed.
28. The fine for overcharging for a non-immigration form is A. up to $ B. up to $1000 C. up to $75, D. up to $ Answer D. up to $
29. The fine for failing to notify the State that your stamp or journal was lost is A. up to $ B. up to $ C. up to $ D. up to $ Answer C. up to $
30. What is the fine for failing to post signs in English and in the other language that you use that you are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice Answer Up to $1500 fine and at least one year suspension of commission and on second time - revocation of commission for life.
31. Your commission is dated 9/1/05 and you get your oath filed on 9/25/05. Your commission will expire A. Immediately B. 8/31/ C. 9/24/ D. 9/1/ Answer B. 8/31/

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in Nevada County, California. Maria often travels to South Lake Tahoe, in El Dorado County, to perform notarial acts for residents there. Her friend Patrick asks her to come to his home in Stateline, Nevada, to perform an acknowledgment on a document to be filed in El Dorado County.

A. Maria must refuse to perform the acknowledgment in the State of Nevada. B. Maria must note the venue on the notarial wording. C. Maria must use satisfactory evidence when performing the notarization. D. Maria must ensure the document will be filed in California. Answer A. Maria must refuse to perform the acknowledgment in the State of Nevada.

"A CA Notary may complete an acknowledgment certificate prescribed by or used in a U.S. state or jurisdiction other than CA only if the document will be filed outside of CA."

37. Jim is a paralegal and works at the law offices of Smith and Smith. His employer asks him to become a Notary public and pays for his education, supplies and filing fees. Jim agrees and becomes a commissioned Notary Public. His employer has him sign an agreement that says he will not charge any fees to the law office for Notarial services and will remit any fees from clients to the law office. Jim's sister asks him to come over to acknowledge an Interspousal Transfer Deed she signed.

A. Jim may notarize this document and keep the fees B. Jim may notarize this document and must remit the fees to his employer C. Jim may not notarize this document D. Jim may notarize this document but, may not charge any fees Answer A. Jim may notarize this document and keep the fees.

38. Notaries can withhold services a. When their employer limits services to transactions related to the employ- er's business b. When a document is incomplete

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c. When they believe someone does not understand what they are signing d. All of the above Answer d. all of the above

39. 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 document. B. He can notarize both signatures. C. He can never notarize an Alabama document D. He can't do either notarization. Answer D. He can't do either notarization.
40. When a subscribing witness brings a document the action is called Answer Proof of Execution
41. 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 Answer D. All of the above

all a part of the process

42. a document signer comes to you with a document they have already signed and asks to make an acknowledgment. How do you proceed Answer Identify the signer and ask them to acknowledge the signature on the document is theirs.
43. What is the maximum fee a Notary may charge by law for administering an oath for a deposition Answer $

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46. Can a California Notary complete a Florida jurat certificate that will be filed out of state Answer No. Jurats always require California-specific wording.
47. A Notary was fined $10,000 for willfully stating as true a material fact in an acknowledgment certificate, knowing that the information was false. The penalty is a result of an action brought by whom Answer Public Prosecutor
48. In order to provide a member of the public with a copy of a journal item entry, a California Notary must require a written request containing what information Answer WHO signer was WHAT type of document WHEN month and year of notarization
49. A signer brings you a document from out of state. The document will be filed in New York.The acknowledgment wording is as follows "On today's date before me, [Name of Notary], personally appeared John Smith, attorney- in-fact of Mary Smith, known to me..."

As a California Notary, can you use the wording provided or do you need to attach a CA acknowledgment certificate form Answer Since the wording mentions representative capacity, use a CA certificate form.

50. California acknowledgment wording must be used for all documents filed in Answer The State of California
51. May a notary notarize for a grantor Answer Yes, the notary is not the grantor.
52. When a credible witness is used, the credible witness's primary function is to Answer Swear or affirm to the document signer's identity.
53. May a notary accept a current Canadian ID card as proof of identity Answer No. Only Canadian Driver's Licenses acceptable. (Same for Mexico)
54. A California Notary Public who is also a bonded immigration consultant may Notarize an immigration document that they helped complete Answer True

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55. If there is no room to place a Notary seal directly on the document, a Notary must Answer Affix the seal on a loose certificate.
56. A Notary Public applicant takes a picture of the official Notary Public exam during their test. What is the maximum penalty for this violation Answer $1,
57. A Proof of Completion, from an approved education vendor, can be used to take the official Notary exam for how long Answer 2 years
58. What makes an acknowledgment authentic Answer Notary's signature, printed name, the words Notary Public written and Notary seal impression.
59. A commissioned Notary Public completes an Acknowledgment having accepted a Social Security card as identification. In addition to the penalty incurred for stating true any material fact they know to be false, what is the penalty for this violation Answer $1,
60. When notifying the SOS about an address change, a Notary should use Answer - Any method of delivery which provides a receipt.

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68. If you fail to file the oath and bond on time Answer your commission is void you must pay $20 to reapply you must complete a new application
69. A Military Notary Answer Charges no fees
70. A person who is not commissioned and holds herself out as a notary is Answer Guilty of a misdemeanor

MISuse tools = MISdemeanor

71. A notary must respond to a request for a transaction within days. Answer 15
72. The only documents that do not require a seal are Answer Subdivision maps

Stamp will not stick to plastic

73. If a person has no right thumb and a thumbprint is needed Answer Use any finger. Make a note in journal. Use the left thumb.
74. The most frequently completed form is Answer Acknowledgement

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75. Why are two witnesses for a signature by mark necessary Answer To view the making or the acknowledgment of the mark
76. A notary who does not deliver papers to a county clerk after they allow a commission to expire is Answer Guilty of a misdemeanor
77. A certificate reads Subscribed & Sworn to before me on August 5, 2007 by. Whose name goes on the blank Answer Signer (Jurat)
78. 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 Answer Let him see only the items pertaining to his business.
79. n the case of the death of a notary public, the personal representative of the deceased shall Answer Promptly notify the SOS and send their papers and records to the county where their oath is recorded. (and destroy their seal)
80. When the venue of the Notary's certificate has been filled in beforehand with an incorrect state and county, the Notary must Answer Line through the inapplic- able words, writing in the correct state and county.
81. When notarizing a document containing an acknowledgment, the Notary

Answer May accept a document that has already been signed.

82. When is an oath is involved with an acknowledgment Answer When the signer utilizes a credible witness as ID.