Illinois Notary Exam Questions and
Correct Answers/Answer Key
1. Do you need to witness the signature for an acknowledgment?
A) Yes, you must witness the signature at the time of acknowledgment.
B) No, as long as the signer appears with the document before the Notary at the time of
notarization and acknowledges having signed.
C) Only if the signer requests a witness.
D) No, but the Notary must verify the signature after the document is signed.
2. A notary certifies what 3 things when executing an acknowledgment?
A) That the signer personally appeared.
B) That the signer was identified by a reliable third party.
C) That the signer acknowledged to the Notary the signature was freely made.
D) That the document was written by the signer.
E) That the signer was positively identified by the Notary through personal knowledge or
other satisfactory evidence.
3. What is an affirmation?
A) A solemn, written pledge to uphold the law.
B) A spoken declaration made by an individual swearing on their personal honor.
C) A spoken, solemn pledge on one's own personal honor.
D) A non-religious version of an oath, typically done in writing.
4. What are the 2 types of Certificates for acknowledgment in Illinois?
A) For individuals signing on their own behalf
B) For individuals signing on behalf of a corporation
C) Short-form for signers in various representative capacities
D) For individuals signing on behalf of a spouse
, E) For government officials only
5. What is an oath?
A) A written pledge that is sworn by the signer.
B) A spoken declaration where a person swears to tell the truth.
C) A solemn, spoken pledge to a supreme being.
D) A promise to obey the law.
6. What is the primary purpose of an acknowledgment?
A) To verify the authenticity of the document.
B) To positively identify the document signer.
C) To ensure the signer is legally allowed to sign the document.
D) To confirm that the document is notarized correctly.
7. When taking an oath or affirmation, does the oath-taker or affiant need to
respond out loud?
A) No, a written response is sufficient.
B) Yes, they must answer with "I do" or "yes."
C) Yes, they must affirm by signing a document.
D) No, they can respond with a nod or gesture.
8. What is the purpose of verification upon oath or affirmation?
A) To ensure the document is legally valid.
B) To compel truthfulness by applying to the signer's conscience and fear of criminal
penalties for perjury.
C) To verify the identity of the signer.
D) To establish a contract between two parties.
9. A Notary certifies what 4 things when executing a verification upon oath or
affirmation?
Correct Answers/Answer Key
1. Do you need to witness the signature for an acknowledgment?
A) Yes, you must witness the signature at the time of acknowledgment.
B) No, as long as the signer appears with the document before the Notary at the time of
notarization and acknowledges having signed.
C) Only if the signer requests a witness.
D) No, but the Notary must verify the signature after the document is signed.
2. A notary certifies what 3 things when executing an acknowledgment?
A) That the signer personally appeared.
B) That the signer was identified by a reliable third party.
C) That the signer acknowledged to the Notary the signature was freely made.
D) That the document was written by the signer.
E) That the signer was positively identified by the Notary through personal knowledge or
other satisfactory evidence.
3. What is an affirmation?
A) A solemn, written pledge to uphold the law.
B) A spoken declaration made by an individual swearing on their personal honor.
C) A spoken, solemn pledge on one's own personal honor.
D) A non-religious version of an oath, typically done in writing.
4. What are the 2 types of Certificates for acknowledgment in Illinois?
A) For individuals signing on their own behalf
B) For individuals signing on behalf of a corporation
C) Short-form for signers in various representative capacities
D) For individuals signing on behalf of a spouse
, E) For government officials only
5. What is an oath?
A) A written pledge that is sworn by the signer.
B) A spoken declaration where a person swears to tell the truth.
C) A solemn, spoken pledge to a supreme being.
D) A promise to obey the law.
6. What is the primary purpose of an acknowledgment?
A) To verify the authenticity of the document.
B) To positively identify the document signer.
C) To ensure the signer is legally allowed to sign the document.
D) To confirm that the document is notarized correctly.
7. When taking an oath or affirmation, does the oath-taker or affiant need to
respond out loud?
A) No, a written response is sufficient.
B) Yes, they must answer with "I do" or "yes."
C) Yes, they must affirm by signing a document.
D) No, they can respond with a nod or gesture.
8. What is the purpose of verification upon oath or affirmation?
A) To ensure the document is legally valid.
B) To compel truthfulness by applying to the signer's conscience and fear of criminal
penalties for perjury.
C) To verify the identity of the signer.
D) To establish a contract between two parties.
9. A Notary certifies what 4 things when executing a verification upon oath or
affirmation?
