Prepare for the California Notary Public exam with these practice questions and answers. This guide covers notarial acts, journal requirements, identification, fees, and California notary laws.
Q: What is one requirement for becoming a California NotaryPublic?
Answer: Be a legal resident of California
Q: Your jurisdiction will be:
Answer: The entire state of California
Q: A possible penalty for committing perjury is:
Answer: a. 2 years in prisonb. 3 years in prisonc. 4 years in prisond. Any of the aboveAnswer:d. Any of the above
Q: You have how many days to take your oath of office after your commencement date:
Answer: 30 days
Q: If you request a new Certificate of Authorization, the State of California must respond within:
Answer: 5 days
Q: The agency of the State that will give you the new certificate is the:
Answer: Secretary of State
Q: Using the words notario publico:
Answer: Is prohibited
Q: If a notary willingly and knowingly notarizes a real estate document that they know to be fraudulent, they are guilty of a:
Answer: Felony
Q: Death Certificates:
Answer: Are not notarized
Q: A subscribing witness can bring you a:
Answer: Homestead Declaration
Q: The penalty for stating a known false fact as true is now
Answer: $10,000
Q: Two credible witnesses
Answer: a. Are not allowedb. Must be over 21c. Must be fingerprintedd. None of the aboveAnswer:d. None of the above
Q: When do you officially become a notary?
Answer: When your oath and bond are filed
Q: The notary stamp may be:
Answer: Rectangular
Q: The size of the stamp could be:
Answer: 1 inch in width by 2 ½ inches in length
Q: If you are one of the following concerning a document, you must not notarize it:
Answer: Trustor or Trustee
Q: The fine for overcharging for a nonimmigration form is:
Answer: Up to $750
Q: The fine for failing to notify the State that your stamp or journal was lost is:
Answer: Up to $1,500
Q: Willful failure to provide a peace officer with a journal when requested is punishable by a civil penalty of up to:
Answer: $2,500
Q: 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 $1,500 fine and at least one year suspension ofcommission and on second time – revocation of commission for life
Q: When a regulation states 30 days it means:
Answer: Calendar days
Q: Your commission is dated 9/1/05 and you get your oath filed on 9/25/05. Your commission will expire:
Answer: 8/31/09
Q: The fee for notarizing a circulator’s affidavit is:
Answer: $0
Q: A notary can certify a copy of a power of attorney according to the:
Answer: Probate Code
Q: You may turn your journal over to:
Answer: A Peace Officer with probable cause
Q: During the signature by mark process, how many people write the name of the X signer:
Answer: One
Q: If you move, you must contact the:
Answer: Secretary of State
Q: If you move, you must contact the proper authority within:
Answer: 30 days
Q: If you give up your journal to a proper authority, you must notify the Secretary of State within:
Answer: 10 days
Q: A commission is valid for ______ years:
Answer: 4 years
Q: Your 4-year notary bond is worth:
Answer: $15,000
Q: The statute of limitations for making a statement known to be false is:
Answer: Four years
Q: To be acceptable, ID’s must be current or issued within the past:
Answer: 5 years
Q: What does not need to be on a passport?
Answer: Notary’s signature
Q: Notary certificates are signed by:
Answer: Notary
Q: An ID needs the holder’s:
Answer: a. Pictureb. Signaturec. Physical Descriptiond. All of the aboveAnswer:d. All of the above
Q: When taking an oath:
Answer: Raising right hand is notrequired
Q: Notaries must:
Answer: Keep their stamp and journal under their direct control
Q: When you resign a commission, you deliver all your papers to:
Answer: County Clerk where your current oath is on file
Q: If you fail to file the oath and bond on time:
Answer: a. Your commission is voidb. You must pay $20 to reapplyc. You must complete a new applicationd. All of the aboveAnswer:d. All of the above
Q: A notary seeking reappointment must retake the notary exam:
Answer: Every 4 years
Q: The fine for willful failure to notify the Secretary of State of an address or name change is:
Answer: $500
Q: Notaries can withhold services:
Answer: a. When their employer limits services to transactions related to the employer’s businessb. When a document is incompletec. When they believe someone does not understand what they are signingd. All of the aboveAnswer:d. All of the above
Q: Which is the true statement?
Answer: a. It is the notary’s duty to draft power of attorney, mortgages and deeds when requestedb. A notary does not have to charge a feec. Holographic wills must be notarized to be validd. Holographic wills are typewrittenAnswer:b. A notary does not have to charge a fee
Q: A notary may:
Answer: a. Notarize a document in a foreign languageb. Not notarize documents that he or she will sign as corporate officersc. Notarize relative’s documentsd. All of the aboveAnswer:d. All of the above
Q: Signers of the following documents must leave a right thumbprint:
Answer: a. Homestead Declarationb. Power of Attorneyc. Trust Deed for real estated. b & cAnswer:d. b & c
Q: A notary is obligated to:
Answer: Reimburse a surety company for bond funds paid out
Q: An affirmation is:
Answer: Legal equivalent of an oath but has no referral to a Supreme Being
Q: A non-attorney notary (qualified & bonded as an immigration consultant) may charge up to $10 for:
Answer: a. Completing a person’s immigration applicationb. Oaths and affirmationc. Per signature on a Juratd. All of the aboveAnswer:d. All of the above
Q: A notary may not notarize:
Answer: When they are a mortgagor in a transaction
Q: For a first-time applicant to get a commission they:
Answer: a. Must pass an examb. Be fingerprintedc. Be at least 18 years of aged. All of the aboveAnswer:d. All of the above
Q: A certificate of authorization may be gotten:
Answer: From the Secretary of State
Q: Satisfactory evidence of identity means relying on either:
Answer: a. ID cardsb. Credible identifying witnessesc. Business card photosd. a and bAnswer:d. a and b
Q: A California Notary may:
Answer: Take depositions and affidavits
Q: An oath is:
Answer: a. An affirmationb. Never usedc. A solemn spoken pledged. a and cAnswer:d. a and c