PENNSYLVANIA NOTARY PUBLIC
REGULATIONS – UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM
(2026) | 163 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS | NEWEST
VERSION
1. Which of the following actions can notaries take regarding their
fees?
A. Refund
B. Waive
C. Charge extra
D. Increase
E. Decrease
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Pennsylvania notaries may refund or waive fees and can adjust fees within
statutory limits. Charging additional unauthorized fees (extra) beyond the legal
maximum is prohibited. Proper fee management ensures compliance with notarial law
and avoids penalties.
2. If a notary public moves to another state but continues to
conduct business in Pennsylvania, which action must they take
regarding legal representation for service of process?
A. Appoint a new notary in the Commonwealth
B. Notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the move
C. Must irrevocably appoint the Secretary as agent
D. Continue without any changes
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Notaries must notify the Secretary of State when their residence changes
outside Pennsylvania. This allows proper legal communication and ensures
accountability for any notarial actions conducted within the state.
3. How many days does a notary have to notify the Department of
State if an official stamp or journal is lost, stolen, or misplaced?
A. 45
B. 30
C. 60
D. 10
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Notaries are required to report missing official tools within 30 days. Timely
reporting prevents misuse, fraud, and protects the validity of notarized documents.
4. If a police officer seizes a notary journal, the notary shall notify
the Secretary of State by certified mail within:
A. 5 days
B. 10 days
C. 15 days
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting seizure within 10 days ensures the state can document custody,
maintain proper oversight, and assist in investigations while protecting the notary and
the public.
,5. If a notary charges fees for acts, the fee sign must be in:
A. Any language the notary speaks
B. Optional
C. English
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: English is the official language for public notices in Pennsylvania. Posting
fees in English ensures accessibility and transparency for all clients.
6. A person, school, or institution violating notary rules may face a
fine of at least _____ or imprisonment of at least _____ days, or both.
A. $500, 90
B. $1000, 90
C. $500, 180
D. $1000, 180
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pennsylvania law imposes fines and imprisonment for violations to prevent
abuse of notarial powers. The minimum fine of $500 and imprisonment of 180 days
ensures accountability.
7. Who approves a notary’s surety bond after appointment?
A. Department of State
B. County Clerk / Recorder of Deeds
, C. Insurance Company
D. Recorder of Deeds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The County Clerk or Recorder of Deeds ensures the surety bond meets
statutory requirements. This protects the public against improper or negligent notarial
acts.
8. If a notary discovers unnumbered pages in a journal, what should
they do?
A. Continue using it
B. Number pages immediately and document the change
C. Discard the journal
D. Notify the state authority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Journals must be tamper-evident and numbered. Correcting page numbers
and recording the correction maintains integrity and compliance with notary
regulations.
9. Why is maintaining records for notarial acts important, including
electronic records?
A. Ensures fees can be charged
B. Provides legal validity
C. Helps advertise services
D. Only necessary for paper records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate record-keeping ensures notarizations are legally verifiable,
whether paper or electronic. This protects both the notary and the public in case of
disputes or audits.
REGULATIONS – UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM
(2026) | 163 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS | NEWEST
VERSION
1. Which of the following actions can notaries take regarding their
fees?
A. Refund
B. Waive
C. Charge extra
D. Increase
E. Decrease
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Pennsylvania notaries may refund or waive fees and can adjust fees within
statutory limits. Charging additional unauthorized fees (extra) beyond the legal
maximum is prohibited. Proper fee management ensures compliance with notarial law
and avoids penalties.
2. If a notary public moves to another state but continues to
conduct business in Pennsylvania, which action must they take
regarding legal representation for service of process?
A. Appoint a new notary in the Commonwealth
B. Notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the move
C. Must irrevocably appoint the Secretary as agent
D. Continue without any changes
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Notaries must notify the Secretary of State when their residence changes
outside Pennsylvania. This allows proper legal communication and ensures
accountability for any notarial actions conducted within the state.
3. How many days does a notary have to notify the Department of
State if an official stamp or journal is lost, stolen, or misplaced?
A. 45
B. 30
C. 60
D. 10
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Notaries are required to report missing official tools within 30 days. Timely
reporting prevents misuse, fraud, and protects the validity of notarized documents.
4. If a police officer seizes a notary journal, the notary shall notify
the Secretary of State by certified mail within:
A. 5 days
B. 10 days
C. 15 days
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting seizure within 10 days ensures the state can document custody,
maintain proper oversight, and assist in investigations while protecting the notary and
the public.
,5. If a notary charges fees for acts, the fee sign must be in:
A. Any language the notary speaks
B. Optional
C. English
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: English is the official language for public notices in Pennsylvania. Posting
fees in English ensures accessibility and transparency for all clients.
6. A person, school, or institution violating notary rules may face a
fine of at least _____ or imprisonment of at least _____ days, or both.
A. $500, 90
B. $1000, 90
C. $500, 180
D. $1000, 180
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pennsylvania law imposes fines and imprisonment for violations to prevent
abuse of notarial powers. The minimum fine of $500 and imprisonment of 180 days
ensures accountability.
7. Who approves a notary’s surety bond after appointment?
A. Department of State
B. County Clerk / Recorder of Deeds
, C. Insurance Company
D. Recorder of Deeds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The County Clerk or Recorder of Deeds ensures the surety bond meets
statutory requirements. This protects the public against improper or negligent notarial
acts.
8. If a notary discovers unnumbered pages in a journal, what should
they do?
A. Continue using it
B. Number pages immediately and document the change
C. Discard the journal
D. Notify the state authority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Journals must be tamper-evident and numbered. Correcting page numbers
and recording the correction maintains integrity and compliance with notary
regulations.
9. Why is maintaining records for notarial acts important, including
electronic records?
A. Ensures fees can be charged
B. Provides legal validity
C. Helps advertise services
D. Only necessary for paper records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate record-keeping ensures notarizations are legally verifiable,
whether paper or electronic. This protects both the notary and the public in case of
disputes or audits.
