INDIANA NOTARY PUBLIC STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔Unintentional Misconduct - ✔✔negligent error or failure of duty in performing a
notarization. (a notary failing to do everything the law requires or attempting to assist
beyond what the law allows)
✔✔What are examples of misconduct? - ✔✔-not requiring personal appearance of the
signer, -failing to attach the notary seal, -neglecting to attach the expiration of
commission, -failing to sign notarized document, -omitting
✔✔Can notaries give legal advice? - ✔✔No; notaries must not give legal advice and
they cannot prepare documents.
✔✔What is a civil penalty? - ✔✔Civil penalties are the most common, if a notary
intentionally or unintentionally damages the complainant, they may be liable for
monetary damages.
✔✔What is a criminal penalty? - ✔✔May apply if the notary's act enables a forgery,
false writing, or other crime to occur. (intentional and can be prosecuted as any other
crime)
✔✔What is a notary journal? - ✔✔A journal of all notarial acts they perform. (IN does
not require this)
✔✔If my notary appt expires but I have applied for a new appt, may I continue to
exercise my notarial powers? - ✔✔no; there is no carryover or grace period for a notary
public once their appt has expired.
✔✔Can I only notarize documents in my own county? - ✔✔An Indiana notary has
authority throughout Indiana; the jurisdiction of a notary qualified in IN is co-extensive
with the limits of the state.
✔✔What is the filing fee? - ✔✔Filing applicated fee $75
✔✔How much is a remote notary authorization application? - ✔✔$100
✔✔acknowledgement - ✔✔a formal declaration before a notary that the instrument
presented is the free and voluntary act of the party executing it and the signatures on
the document are genuine.
✔✔administer - ✔✔to give or apply in a formal way
✔✔affidavit - ✔✔a signed statement made under oath or affirmation
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔Unintentional Misconduct - ✔✔negligent error or failure of duty in performing a
notarization. (a notary failing to do everything the law requires or attempting to assist
beyond what the law allows)
✔✔What are examples of misconduct? - ✔✔-not requiring personal appearance of the
signer, -failing to attach the notary seal, -neglecting to attach the expiration of
commission, -failing to sign notarized document, -omitting
✔✔Can notaries give legal advice? - ✔✔No; notaries must not give legal advice and
they cannot prepare documents.
✔✔What is a civil penalty? - ✔✔Civil penalties are the most common, if a notary
intentionally or unintentionally damages the complainant, they may be liable for
monetary damages.
✔✔What is a criminal penalty? - ✔✔May apply if the notary's act enables a forgery,
false writing, or other crime to occur. (intentional and can be prosecuted as any other
crime)
✔✔What is a notary journal? - ✔✔A journal of all notarial acts they perform. (IN does
not require this)
✔✔If my notary appt expires but I have applied for a new appt, may I continue to
exercise my notarial powers? - ✔✔no; there is no carryover or grace period for a notary
public once their appt has expired.
✔✔Can I only notarize documents in my own county? - ✔✔An Indiana notary has
authority throughout Indiana; the jurisdiction of a notary qualified in IN is co-extensive
with the limits of the state.
✔✔What is the filing fee? - ✔✔Filing applicated fee $75
✔✔How much is a remote notary authorization application? - ✔✔$100
✔✔acknowledgement - ✔✔a formal declaration before a notary that the instrument
presented is the free and voluntary act of the party executing it and the signatures on
the document are genuine.
✔✔administer - ✔✔to give or apply in a formal way
✔✔affidavit - ✔✔a signed statement made under oath or affirmation
