NEW JERSEY | NOTARY PUBLIC | COMMISSION
NJ Notary Exam
Questions & Answers | 2026/2027
Official Practice Exam · 2026/2027 Edition
75 90 80% 5
Questions Minutes Passing Score Sections
Table of Contents
Section: Notary Public Basics & Eligibility Requirements (15 questions)
Section: Notarial Acts & Procedures (20 questions)
Section: Identification & Verification (15 questions)
Section: Fees, Records & Liability (15 questions)
Section: NJ-Specific Notary Laws & Regulations (10 questions)
Answer Key (last page)
Instructions
Read each question carefully. Select the single best answer from the four options provided. Each question
includes a rationale explaining why the correct answer is right and why the most common wrong answer is
incorrect. A score of 80% or higher (60 out of 75) is required to pass. You have 90 minutes to complete this exam.
Do not spend too much time on any single question. Review the rationales for all questions, including those you
answered correctly, to maximize your learning and retention of key New Jersey notary public concepts.
Section 1: Notary Public Basics & Eligibility Requirements — 2026/2027
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 59
,Q1. Question 1 of 75
Q1. A resident of New Jersey wishes to become a notary public. The applicant is 17 years old, a US
citizen, and has lived in NJ for 5 years. The applicant's commission application should be which of
the following?
A. Denied because the applicant does not meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years
B. Approved because the applicant meets all requirements
C. Approved with parental consent since the applicant is a minor
D. Denied because the applicant must be at least 21 years old
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey law requires that notary public applicants be at least 18 years of age. Being 17
disqualifies the applicant regardless of citizenship or residency. Parental consent does not override the
statutory age requirement, and the minimum age is 18, not 21.
Q2. Question 2 of 75
Q2. A New Jersey resident who works in Pennsylvania but lives in NJ wants to apply for a NJ notary
commission. The resident is 25 years old and has no criminal record. The application should be
processed in which manner?
A. Approved because the applicant meets residency, age, and character requirements
B. Denied because the applicant works outside of New Jersey
C. Denied because notaries must work within New Jersey
D. Approved only if the applicant also holds a Pennsylvania notary commission
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey notary eligibility is based on residency within the state, not where the applicant
works. The applicant meets the age requirement of 18, is a NJ resident, and has no disqualifying criminal
record. Employment location does not affect eligibility, and dual commissioning is not required.
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 59
,Q3. Question 3 of 75
Q3. A person applying for a New Jersey notary commission must submit the application through
which entity?
A. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
B. The county clerk's office where the applicant resides
C. The New Jersey Secretary of State directly
D. The local municipal clerk's office
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey notary applications are processed through the Department of the Treasury,
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which administers the notary public program. County
clerks and municipal clerks do not process initial applications. The Secretary of State does not directly
handle notary commissions in New Jersey.
Q4. Question 4 of 75
Q4. A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for which period of time from the date of
issuance?
A. 5 years
B. 2 years
C. 4 years
D. 10 years
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of
issuance, after which the notary must apply for reappointment. The 2-year and 4-year terms are used in
other states. A 10-year term does not exist in New Jersey notary law.
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 59
, Q5. Question 5 of 75
Q5. A notary public in New Jersey wishes to change their name after getting married. The notary
must take which action regarding their commission?
A. Request a name change through the Division of Revenue and obtain a new commission with
the updated name
B. Continue using the old name until the commission expires
C. Simply start signing the new name on notarial acts without notification
D. Cancel the existing commission and apply as a new notary
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey requires notaries who change their name to request a name change through the
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and obtain an updated commission. Continuing with the old
name or changing without notification is not permitted. Canceling and reapplying is unnecessary since
the process allows for a name change amendment.
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 59
NJ Notary Exam
Questions & Answers | 2026/2027
Official Practice Exam · 2026/2027 Edition
75 90 80% 5
Questions Minutes Passing Score Sections
Table of Contents
Section: Notary Public Basics & Eligibility Requirements (15 questions)
Section: Notarial Acts & Procedures (20 questions)
Section: Identification & Verification (15 questions)
Section: Fees, Records & Liability (15 questions)
Section: NJ-Specific Notary Laws & Regulations (10 questions)
Answer Key (last page)
Instructions
Read each question carefully. Select the single best answer from the four options provided. Each question
includes a rationale explaining why the correct answer is right and why the most common wrong answer is
incorrect. A score of 80% or higher (60 out of 75) is required to pass. You have 90 minutes to complete this exam.
Do not spend too much time on any single question. Review the rationales for all questions, including those you
answered correctly, to maximize your learning and retention of key New Jersey notary public concepts.
Section 1: Notary Public Basics & Eligibility Requirements — 2026/2027
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 59
,Q1. Question 1 of 75
Q1. A resident of New Jersey wishes to become a notary public. The applicant is 17 years old, a US
citizen, and has lived in NJ for 5 years. The applicant's commission application should be which of
the following?
A. Denied because the applicant does not meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years
B. Approved because the applicant meets all requirements
C. Approved with parental consent since the applicant is a minor
D. Denied because the applicant must be at least 21 years old
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey law requires that notary public applicants be at least 18 years of age. Being 17
disqualifies the applicant regardless of citizenship or residency. Parental consent does not override the
statutory age requirement, and the minimum age is 18, not 21.
Q2. Question 2 of 75
Q2. A New Jersey resident who works in Pennsylvania but lives in NJ wants to apply for a NJ notary
commission. The resident is 25 years old and has no criminal record. The application should be
processed in which manner?
A. Approved because the applicant meets residency, age, and character requirements
B. Denied because the applicant works outside of New Jersey
C. Denied because notaries must work within New Jersey
D. Approved only if the applicant also holds a Pennsylvania notary commission
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey notary eligibility is based on residency within the state, not where the applicant
works. The applicant meets the age requirement of 18, is a NJ resident, and has no disqualifying criminal
record. Employment location does not affect eligibility, and dual commissioning is not required.
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 59
,Q3. Question 3 of 75
Q3. A person applying for a New Jersey notary commission must submit the application through
which entity?
A. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
B. The county clerk's office where the applicant resides
C. The New Jersey Secretary of State directly
D. The local municipal clerk's office
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey notary applications are processed through the Department of the Treasury,
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which administers the notary public program. County
clerks and municipal clerks do not process initial applications. The Secretary of State does not directly
handle notary commissions in New Jersey.
Q4. Question 4 of 75
Q4. A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for which period of time from the date of
issuance?
A. 5 years
B. 2 years
C. 4 years
D. 10 years
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A New Jersey notary public commission is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of
issuance, after which the notary must apply for reappointment. The 2-year and 4-year terms are used in
other states. A 10-year term does not exist in New Jersey notary law.
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 59
, Q5. Question 5 of 75
Q5. A notary public in New Jersey wishes to change their name after getting married. The notary
must take which action regarding their commission?
A. Request a name change through the Division of Revenue and obtain a new commission with
the updated name
B. Continue using the old name until the commission expires
C. Simply start signing the new name on notarial acts without notification
D. Cancel the existing commission and apply as a new notary
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
New Jersey requires notaries who change their name to request a name change through the
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and obtain an updated commission. Continuing with the old
name or changing without notification is not permitted. Canceling and reapplying is unnecessary since
the process allows for a name change amendment.
NJ Notary Exam — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 59
