California Notary Public Exam ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | California Notary Public | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Administrative Procedures & Commission Requirements (5 questions)
Q1: A first-time applicant receives their commission packet from the Secretary of State with a
commencement date of June 1, 2026. By what date must they file their Oath of Office and $15,000
surety bond with the county clerk to avoid having to reapply?
A. June 30, 2026
B. July 1, 2026
C. July 15, 2026
D. June 30, 2026 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: California Government Code section 8213 requires the oath and bond to be filed no later
than 30 days after the beginning of the term prescribed in the commission. June 1 to June 30 is exactly
30 days; July 1 would be 31 days and invalidate the commission. The 30-day rule is strict with no
exceptions for mail delays or processing times
.
Q2: Maria, a commissioned notary, moves her principal place of business from Los Angeles County to
Orange County on August 1, 2026. Which statement correctly describes her obligations regarding her
oath and bond?
A. She must file a new oath and bond in Orange County within 30 days to continue notarizing
B. She may elect to file a new oath and bond in Orange County, but it is optional
C. She must obtain a new commission from the Secretary of State before notarizing in Orange County
D. She cannot notarize documents in Orange County until she files the new bond [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Government Code section 8213 states that once commissioned, a notary may perform
services anywhere in California. While a notary may file a new oath and bond when moving to a new
county, it is permissive, not mandatory. The original oath and bond remain valid regardless of where in
the state the notary performs notarial acts
,.
Q3: A notary applicant is concerned about a petty theft conviction from 15 years ago. What is the
correct procedure regarding disclosure on the application?
A. Convictions over 10 years old need not be disclosed
B. Only felony convictions must be disclosed
C. All convictions must be disclosed, regardless of when they occurred [CORRECT]
D. Convictions dismissed under Penal Code section 1203.4 do not need to be disclosed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Government Code section 8201.5 and Secretary of State guidelines require disclosure of all
convictions without time limits, including those dismissed under PC 1203.4 or 1203.4a. Failure to
disclose any conviction is grounds for denial of the application
.
Q4: A notary's commission expires on December 31, 2026. When should they ideally take the
reappointment exam to avoid a break in commission?
A. Anytime before December 31, 2026
B. At least six months prior to the expiration date [CORRECT]
C. Within 30 days after the expiration date
D. Only after submitting a new application to the Secretary of State
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Title 2, California Code of Regulations section 20803 states that exam results are valid for one
year from the examination date. The Secretary of State recommends taking the exam at least six months
before expiration to allow time for processing and avoid a break in the commission term
.
Q5: A notary changes their business address within the same county. What are their obligations?
A. File a new oath and bond within 30 days
B. Notify the Secretary of State in writing within 30 days [CORRECT]
C. No action is required if staying within the same county
D. Obtain a new seal with the updated address
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Government Code section 8213.5 requires written notification of any address change within
, 30 days, delivered by certified mail or physical delivery with receipt. Willful failure to notify is punishable
as an infraction by a fine up to $500. No new oath, bond, or seal is required for an address change
within the same county
.
Section 2: Notarial Acts & Documentation (12 questions)
Q6: A signer appears before a notary to execute a deed of trust on a residential property. What is the
notary's journal entry requirement regarding thumbprints?
A. No thumbprint is required for deeds of trust
B. The left thumbprint is always required
C. The right thumbprint is required, with alternatives if unavailable [CORRECT]
D. Only the signer's signature is required, not a thumbprint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Government Code section 8206(a)(2)(G) mandates that for deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of
trust, or other documents affecting real property, the notary must require the right thumbprint. If the
right thumb is unavailable, the left thumb or any available finger may be used, with notation in the
journal. This excludes trustee's deeds from foreclosure or deeds of reconveyance
.
Q7: A notary is asked to notarize an incomplete power of attorney document. The principal has left
several sections blank to be filled in later. What is the proper action?
A. Notarize the document with a notation about the blanks
B. Refuse to notarize until the document is complete [CORRECT]
C. Notarize only if the principal initials the blank sections
D. Complete the blank sections for the principal and then notarize
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Government Code section 8205(a)(2) prohibits a notary from accepting any acknowledgment
or proof of any instrument that is incomplete. The notary must refuse the notarization until all material
sections are completed. Notaries cannot prepare legal documents or give legal advice about how to
complete them, as this would constitute unauthorized practice of law
.
2026/2027 | California Notary Public | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Administrative Procedures & Commission Requirements (5 questions)
Q1: A first-time applicant receives their commission packet from the Secretary of State with a
commencement date of June 1, 2026. By what date must they file their Oath of Office and $15,000
surety bond with the county clerk to avoid having to reapply?
A. June 30, 2026
B. July 1, 2026
C. July 15, 2026
D. June 30, 2026 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: California Government Code section 8213 requires the oath and bond to be filed no later
than 30 days after the beginning of the term prescribed in the commission. June 1 to June 30 is exactly
30 days; July 1 would be 31 days and invalidate the commission. The 30-day rule is strict with no
exceptions for mail delays or processing times
.
Q2: Maria, a commissioned notary, moves her principal place of business from Los Angeles County to
Orange County on August 1, 2026. Which statement correctly describes her obligations regarding her
oath and bond?
A. She must file a new oath and bond in Orange County within 30 days to continue notarizing
B. She may elect to file a new oath and bond in Orange County, but it is optional
C. She must obtain a new commission from the Secretary of State before notarizing in Orange County
D. She cannot notarize documents in Orange County until she files the new bond [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Government Code section 8213 states that once commissioned, a notary may perform
services anywhere in California. While a notary may file a new oath and bond when moving to a new
county, it is permissive, not mandatory. The original oath and bond remain valid regardless of where in
the state the notary performs notarial acts
,.
Q3: A notary applicant is concerned about a petty theft conviction from 15 years ago. What is the
correct procedure regarding disclosure on the application?
A. Convictions over 10 years old need not be disclosed
B. Only felony convictions must be disclosed
C. All convictions must be disclosed, regardless of when they occurred [CORRECT]
D. Convictions dismissed under Penal Code section 1203.4 do not need to be disclosed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Government Code section 8201.5 and Secretary of State guidelines require disclosure of all
convictions without time limits, including those dismissed under PC 1203.4 or 1203.4a. Failure to
disclose any conviction is grounds for denial of the application
.
Q4: A notary's commission expires on December 31, 2026. When should they ideally take the
reappointment exam to avoid a break in commission?
A. Anytime before December 31, 2026
B. At least six months prior to the expiration date [CORRECT]
C. Within 30 days after the expiration date
D. Only after submitting a new application to the Secretary of State
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Title 2, California Code of Regulations section 20803 states that exam results are valid for one
year from the examination date. The Secretary of State recommends taking the exam at least six months
before expiration to allow time for processing and avoid a break in the commission term
.
Q5: A notary changes their business address within the same county. What are their obligations?
A. File a new oath and bond within 30 days
B. Notify the Secretary of State in writing within 30 days [CORRECT]
C. No action is required if staying within the same county
D. Obtain a new seal with the updated address
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Government Code section 8213.5 requires written notification of any address change within
, 30 days, delivered by certified mail or physical delivery with receipt. Willful failure to notify is punishable
as an infraction by a fine up to $500. No new oath, bond, or seal is required for an address change
within the same county
.
Section 2: Notarial Acts & Documentation (12 questions)
Q6: A signer appears before a notary to execute a deed of trust on a residential property. What is the
notary's journal entry requirement regarding thumbprints?
A. No thumbprint is required for deeds of trust
B. The left thumbprint is always required
C. The right thumbprint is required, with alternatives if unavailable [CORRECT]
D. Only the signer's signature is required, not a thumbprint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Government Code section 8206(a)(2)(G) mandates that for deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of
trust, or other documents affecting real property, the notary must require the right thumbprint. If the
right thumb is unavailable, the left thumb or any available finger may be used, with notation in the
journal. This excludes trustee's deeds from foreclosure or deeds of reconveyance
.
Q7: A notary is asked to notarize an incomplete power of attorney document. The principal has left
several sections blank to be filled in later. What is the proper action?
A. Notarize the document with a notation about the blanks
B. Refuse to notarize until the document is complete [CORRECT]
C. Notarize only if the principal initials the blank sections
D. Complete the blank sections for the principal and then notarize
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Government Code section 8205(a)(2) prohibits a notary from accepting any acknowledgment
or proof of any instrument that is incomplete. The notary must refuse the notarization until all material
sections are completed. Notaries cannot prepare legal documents or give legal advice about how to
complete them, as this would constitute unauthorized practice of law
.
