CALIFORNIA NOTARY EXAM 2024 ACTUAL EXAM 200
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
What are the requirements to become a notary public in California? - ANSWER-Legal resident, 18 years
old, complete approved course, pass written exam, pass background check.
What happens after an applicant submits their application and photograph? - ANSWER-Reviewed by
Secretary of State staff for qualifying information.
What is required of all applicants as part of a thorough background check? - ANSWER-Fingerprinting.
What must applicants disclose on their applications? - ANSWER-All arrests for which trials are pending
and all convictions.
What should an applicant do if they have questions about disclosing convictions or arrests? - ANSWER-
Contact the Secretary of State's office prior to signing the application.
What should an applicant do if they do not recall the specifics about their arrest(s) and/or conviction(s)?
- ANSWER-Contact the California Department of Justice.
What are the reasons an application may be denied? - ANSWER-Failure to disclose any conviction,
conviction of a felony, or conviction of a disqualifying lesser offense.
What is the administrative hearing process? - ANSWER-Appeal process for denied applications (Gov.
Code 8214.3)
What are the reasons for denial of a notary public application? - ANSWER-Refer to Gov. Code 8214.1 for
complete list
Where can I find the most common disqualifying convictions for a notary public? - ANSWER-Secretary of
State's Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines
,What is the education requirement for becoming a notary public? - ANSWER-Completion of a 6-hour
course of study (Gov. Code 8201(a)(3) and (b))
Do I need to take the initial 6-hour course of study if I have held a commission in the past? - ANSWER-
Yes, all persons being appointed are required to take the initial course
What is the education requirement for reappointment as a notary public? - ANSWER-Completion of a 3-
hour refresher course (if applying before current commission expires) or a 6-hour course (if commission
has expired)
Who approves courses of study? - ANSWER-Secretary of State
What is included in approved courses? - ANSWER-All material for written exam
Where can the list of approved course vendors be found? - ANSWER-Secretary of State's website
What is the time limit for a person to qualify after receiving a commission? - ANSWER-30 calendar days
What must a person do within the 30-day time limit to qualify as a notary public? - ANSWER-Take,
subscribe, and file an oath of office and file a $15,000 surety bond with the county clerk's office
When does the commission take effect? - ANSWER-After the oath and bond are filed with the county
clerk's office
Where must the oath and bond be filed? - ANSWER-In the county where the notary public maintains a
principal place of business as shown in the application on file with the Secretary of State
What happens if the oath and bond are not filed within the 30-day time period? - ANSWER-The
commission will not be valid, and the person commissioned may not act as a notary public until a new
appointment is obtained and the person has properly qualified within the 30-calendar-day time limit
,Can completed oaths and bonds be filed by mail? - ANSWER-Yes, by certified mail or other means of
physical delivery that provides a receipt
Is there an exception to the 30-day filing requirement? - ANSWER-No, exceptions are not made due to
mail service delays, county clerk mail processing delays, or for any other reason
What is the purpose of a notary public bond? - ANSWER-To provide a limited source of funds for paying
claims against the notary public
Is a notary public bond an insurance policy for the notary public? - ANSWER-No
What is the amount of the notary public bond required by California law? - ANSWER-$15,000
Is a notary public personally liable for damages sustained? - ANSWER-Yes, to the full extent of any
damages sustained
Can a notary public be required to reimburse the bonding company? - ANSWER-Yes, if the bonding
company pays sums due to misconduct or negligence of the notary public
What is the geographic jurisdiction of a notary public? - ANSWER-The entire state of California
Can a notary public perform notarial acts outside of California? - ANSWER-No, unless specifically
authorized by California law
Can a notary public refuse to perform a notarial act? - ANSWER-Yes, if the notary public has a good
reason to believe that the act is unlawful, unethical, or involves fraud or deceit
Can a notary public charge a fee for performing notarial acts? - ANSWER-Yes, but the fee must not
exceed the maximum fee allowed by law
What is the maximum fee that a notary public can charge for performing notarial acts? - ANSWER-As of
2021, $15 per signature
, Can a notary public refuse to serve a person? - ANSWER-No, unless the notary public has a good reason
to believe that the person is making a false statement or is not competent to sign the document
Can a notary public certify a copy of a document? - ANSWER-Yes, if the document is an original
document and the notary public is presented with satisfactory evidence of the identity of the person
requesting the certification
What is the jurisdiction of a California notary public? - ANSWER-Statewide
What is the venue heading in a notarial certificate? - ANSWER-County
What is the practice of law? - ANSWER-Legal advice or document preparation
What should a notary public do if asked to perform tasks constituting the practice of law? - ANSWER-
Decline and refer to an attorney
What is the requirement for a notary public seal? - ANSWER-Must be photographically reproducible
What must the notary public seal contain? - ANSWER-State seal, 'Notary Public', name, county
Can a notary public surrender their seal to an employer upon termination of employment? - ANSWER-
No
Can a notary public use an embosser seal in addition to a rubber stamp? - ANSWER-Yes
Where must a notary public keep their seal? - ANSWER-Locked and secured area under their control
What is the purpose of a notary public? - ANSWER-To witness and authenticate signatures on legal
documents
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