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Pennsylvania Notary Public Regulations – Updated
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions with
Accurate Solutions | Complete Prep with Correct
Answers | Based on the Newest Version of State Laws |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam
Q1: What is the minimum age requirement to be commissioned as a notary public in
Pennsylvania?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old [CORRECT]
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law (57 Pa.C.S. § 161), an applicant must be
at least 18 years of age to be commissioned as a notary public in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Q2: A Pennsylvania notary public's commission term lasts for how many years?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years [CORRECT]
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pursuant to 57 Pa.C.S. § 161, a notary public commission in Pennsylvania is valid for
a term of four years from the date of appointment, unless sooner revoked or the notary resigns.
Q3: What is the required bond amount for a Pennsylvania notary public?
A. $5,000
B. $7,500
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C. $10,000 [CORRECT]
D. $15,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 161 of the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law requires every notary public to
obtain a $10,000 surety bond before receiving their commission. This bond protects the public
against financial loss due to notary misconduct or negligence.
Q4: Within how many days must a newly commissioned notary public file their oath of office
and bond with the county recorder of deeds?
A. 30 days
B. 45 days [CORRECT]
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 163, a notary public must file their oath of office and $10,000
bond with the recorder of deeds in the county where their office of record is located within 45
days of appointment. Failure to file results in automatic revocation of the commission.
Q5: A notary public's official seal must include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The notary's name as commissioned
B. The words "Notary Public" and "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
C. The notary's commission expiration date
D. The notary's home address [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per 57 Pa.C.S. § 317, the official seal must contain the notary's name as
commissioned, the words "Notary Public," "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," the county of
commission, and the expiration date. The notary's home address is not required and should not
appear on the seal for security reasons.
Q6: The official notary seal must be capable of being reproduced in what color ink?
A. Blue ink only
B. Red ink only
C. Black ink only [CORRECT]
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D. Any color ink
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 317 of the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law mandates that the official seal
must be capable of photographic reproduction in black ink. The seal impression must be clear,
legible, and permanent.
Q7: A notary public's journal must be maintained for what minimum period after the last notarial
act recorded?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years [CORRECT]
D. Permanently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 319(c), a notary public must retain their journal for at least 10
years following the last notarial act recorded in the journal. This applies to both physical and
electronic journals.
Q8: Which of the following information is NOT required to be recorded in a notary journal for
each notarial act?
A. The date and time of the notarial act
B. The type of notarial act performed
C. The signer's Social Security number [CORRECT]
D. The method used to identify the signer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 319 requires recording the date/time, type of act, document date, signer
name/address, identification method, and fee charged. The signer's Social Security number is
sensitive information that should never be recorded in a notary journal to prevent identity theft.
Q9: For an acknowledgment, the signer must appear before the notary and:
A. Sign the document in the notary's presence
B. Acknowledge that the signature is theirs and that they signed willingly [CORRECT]
C. Swear or affirm to the truthfulness of the document contents
D. Provide two forms of government-issued identification
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Pennsylvania Notary Public Regulations – Updated
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions with
Accurate Solutions | Complete Prep with Correct
Answers | Based on the Newest Version of State Laws |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam
Q1: What is the minimum age requirement to be commissioned as a notary public in
Pennsylvania?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old [CORRECT]
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law (57 Pa.C.S. § 161), an applicant must be
at least 18 years of age to be commissioned as a notary public in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Q2: A Pennsylvania notary public's commission term lasts for how many years?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years [CORRECT]
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pursuant to 57 Pa.C.S. § 161, a notary public commission in Pennsylvania is valid for
a term of four years from the date of appointment, unless sooner revoked or the notary resigns.
Q3: What is the required bond amount for a Pennsylvania notary public?
A. $5,000
B. $7,500
1
,2
C. $10,000 [CORRECT]
D. $15,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 161 of the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law requires every notary public to
obtain a $10,000 surety bond before receiving their commission. This bond protects the public
against financial loss due to notary misconduct or negligence.
Q4: Within how many days must a newly commissioned notary public file their oath of office
and bond with the county recorder of deeds?
A. 30 days
B. 45 days [CORRECT]
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 163, a notary public must file their oath of office and $10,000
bond with the recorder of deeds in the county where their office of record is located within 45
days of appointment. Failure to file results in automatic revocation of the commission.
Q5: A notary public's official seal must include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The notary's name as commissioned
B. The words "Notary Public" and "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
C. The notary's commission expiration date
D. The notary's home address [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per 57 Pa.C.S. § 317, the official seal must contain the notary's name as
commissioned, the words "Notary Public," "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," the county of
commission, and the expiration date. The notary's home address is not required and should not
appear on the seal for security reasons.
Q6: The official notary seal must be capable of being reproduced in what color ink?
A. Blue ink only
B. Red ink only
C. Black ink only [CORRECT]
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D. Any color ink
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 317 of the Pennsylvania Notary Public Law mandates that the official seal
must be capable of photographic reproduction in black ink. The seal impression must be clear,
legible, and permanent.
Q7: A notary public's journal must be maintained for what minimum period after the last notarial
act recorded?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years [CORRECT]
D. Permanently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 319(c), a notary public must retain their journal for at least 10
years following the last notarial act recorded in the journal. This applies to both physical and
electronic journals.
Q8: Which of the following information is NOT required to be recorded in a notary journal for
each notarial act?
A. The date and time of the notarial act
B. The type of notarial act performed
C. The signer's Social Security number [CORRECT]
D. The method used to identify the signer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 319 requires recording the date/time, type of act, document date, signer
name/address, identification method, and fee charged. The signer's Social Security number is
sensitive information that should never be recorded in a notary journal to prevent identity theft.
Q9: For an acknowledgment, the signer must appear before the notary and:
A. Sign the document in the notary's presence
B. Acknowledge that the signature is theirs and that they signed willingly [CORRECT]
C. Swear or affirm to the truthfulness of the document contents
D. Provide two forms of government-issued identification
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