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PA NOTARY FINAL EXAM 2025–2026 | 140 UPDATED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS (100% CORRECT) ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1. What is the primary duty of a Pennsylvania Notary Public?
Answer: To serve as an impartial witness in performing notarial acts.
Rationale: The notary must prevent fraud and verify identity without bias.
Q2. Which government office commissions notaries in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The Pennsylvania Department of State.
Rationale: All notary applications and commissions are handled by this
department.
Q3. How long is a Pennsylvania notary commission valid?
Answer: 4 years.
Rationale: After 4 years, renewal is required to continue service.
Q4. A notary must maintain a record (journal) of all notarial acts for at least
how many years?
Answer: 10 years.
Rationale: Required by law for accountability and future reference.
Q5. What is the maximum fee a PA notary may charge for an
acknowledgment?
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Answer: $5.00.
Rationale: Fees are capped by statute to prevent exploitation.
Q6. What must a signer always present for identification?
Answer: A current, government-issued ID with photo and signature.
Rationale: Valid identification ensures signer authenticity.
Q7. Can a Pennsylvania notary notarize their own signature?
Answer: No.
Rationale: Notaries must remain impartial and cannot notarize for
themselves.
Q8. If a signer does not speak English, what must the notary do?
Answer: Ensure a qualified translator is present, but the notary must
communicate directly about the act.
Rationale: The notary must be certain the signer understands the document.
Q9. What type of notarial act certifies that a document copy is true and
accurate?
Answer: Copy certification.
Rationale: The notary verifies the copy matches the original.
Q10. May a notary notarize a document without the signer present?
Answer: No.
Rationale: Personal appearance is mandatory by law.
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Q11. When must a notary use their official seal/stamp?
Answer: On every notarial act.
Rationale: The seal authenticates the notary’s authority.
Q12. What information must be included in the notary seal?
Answer: Notary’s name, words “Notary Public,” “Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania,” county of office, and commission expiration date.
Rationale: Law requires this data for validation.
Q13. What is the penalty for notarizing without a valid commission?
Answer: It is a criminal offense and may include fines or imprisonment.
Rationale: Fraudulent notarization undermines legal integrity.
Q14. If a signer is blind, how must the notary proceed?
Answer: The notary must read the document aloud to the signer before
notarizing.
Rationale: Ensures informed consent.
Q15. Can a PA notary refuse to perform a notarial act?
Answer: Yes, if the request is unlawful, unethical, or the notary is not
satisfied with identification.
Rationale: Notaries must protect against fraud and misconduct.
Q16. What type of notarial act is required when a signer swears to the
truthfulness of a document?
PA NOTARY FINAL EXAM 2025–2026 | 140 UPDATED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS (100% CORRECT) ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1. What is the primary duty of a Pennsylvania Notary Public?
Answer: To serve as an impartial witness in performing notarial acts.
Rationale: The notary must prevent fraud and verify identity without bias.
Q2. Which government office commissions notaries in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The Pennsylvania Department of State.
Rationale: All notary applications and commissions are handled by this
department.
Q3. How long is a Pennsylvania notary commission valid?
Answer: 4 years.
Rationale: After 4 years, renewal is required to continue service.
Q4. A notary must maintain a record (journal) of all notarial acts for at least
how many years?
Answer: 10 years.
Rationale: Required by law for accountability and future reference.
Q5. What is the maximum fee a PA notary may charge for an
acknowledgment?
,2|Page
Answer: $5.00.
Rationale: Fees are capped by statute to prevent exploitation.
Q6. What must a signer always present for identification?
Answer: A current, government-issued ID with photo and signature.
Rationale: Valid identification ensures signer authenticity.
Q7. Can a Pennsylvania notary notarize their own signature?
Answer: No.
Rationale: Notaries must remain impartial and cannot notarize for
themselves.
Q8. If a signer does not speak English, what must the notary do?
Answer: Ensure a qualified translator is present, but the notary must
communicate directly about the act.
Rationale: The notary must be certain the signer understands the document.
Q9. What type of notarial act certifies that a document copy is true and
accurate?
Answer: Copy certification.
Rationale: The notary verifies the copy matches the original.
Q10. May a notary notarize a document without the signer present?
Answer: No.
Rationale: Personal appearance is mandatory by law.
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Q11. When must a notary use their official seal/stamp?
Answer: On every notarial act.
Rationale: The seal authenticates the notary’s authority.
Q12. What information must be included in the notary seal?
Answer: Notary’s name, words “Notary Public,” “Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania,” county of office, and commission expiration date.
Rationale: Law requires this data for validation.
Q13. What is the penalty for notarizing without a valid commission?
Answer: It is a criminal offense and may include fines or imprisonment.
Rationale: Fraudulent notarization undermines legal integrity.
Q14. If a signer is blind, how must the notary proceed?
Answer: The notary must read the document aloud to the signer before
notarizing.
Rationale: Ensures informed consent.
Q15. Can a PA notary refuse to perform a notarial act?
Answer: Yes, if the request is unlawful, unethical, or the notary is not
satisfied with identification.
Rationale: Notaries must protect against fraud and misconduct.
Q16. What type of notarial act is required when a signer swears to the
truthfulness of a document?
