Notary Exam Common Questions
with Accurate Answers
Can my private employer require all notary fees be turned over to them and not
allow me to perform notary duties outside their place of business? correct answer
Yes, if the employer pays the premiums on any bond and the cost of any
stamps,seals, or other supplies required in connection with the appointment,
commission, or performance of the duties of such notary public.
A Journal entry must be made at the time of the notarial act and must be
recorded in what order? correct answer in sequential order.
A notary is requested to notarize a document by a person that speaks a different
language and is not able to communicate with their customers, are they able to
notarize their documents? correct answer No, a notary must be able to
communicate directly with their customers.
After obtaining your notary license and you change your place of residence, is
updating my information with the DMV sufficient? correct answer NO. You must,
within 30 days, notify the Secretary of State's office in writing, by certified mail or
any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt, of your change of
address. There is a change of address form (found on the S.O.S website) that can
help you with this task.
Am I allowed to take an approved California 3-hour course of study to become a
notary? correct answer No, if you are not currently licensed as a notary, you must
complete a 6-hour study course, from an authorized vendor, in order to become a
notary public.
,Are their different fee structures for a notary who is appointed to a military
reservation? correct answer They are not allowed to charge a fee.
Are their limitations to when a "Subscribing Witness" CAN NOT be used? correct
answer Yes, A proof of execution by a subscribing witness cannot be used in
conjunction with any power of attorney, quitclaim deed, grant deed (other than a
trustee's deed resulting from a decree of foreclosure, or a nonjudicial foreclosure
pursuant to Civil Code section 2924, or to a deed of reconveyance), mortgage,
deed of trust, security agreement, any instrument affecting real property, or any
instrument requiring a notary public to obtain a thumbprint from the party
signing the document in the notary public's journal.
Are their special rules for placing the notary stamp on a document? correct
answer Yes, the seal must be legibly (photographically reproducible) and not
placed over signatures or other printed material when placed on the document.
Are there any times the right thumbprint is not required when dealing with real
property? correct answer Yes, it shall not apply to a trustee's deed resulting from
a decree of foreclosure or a nonjudicial foreclosure pursuant to Section 2924 of
the Civil Code, nor to a deed of reconveyance.
Are those who committed a felony, including crimes committed over 10 years ago
that are compatible with notary public duties, subject to disqualification? correct
answer Yes, persons who committed a felony compatible with the duties of a
notary would become immediately disqualified.
Are witnesses required when a Signature by Mark is used? correct answer Yes,
The signer's mark must be witnessed by two persons who must subscribe their
own names as witnesses on the document. One witness should write the person's
name next to the person's mark and then the witness should sign his or her name
, as a witness. The witnesses are only verifying that they witnessed the individual
make his or her mark on the document.
At any time, do I have to turn my journal over to someone? correct answer Yes,
but only during a select number of occasions:
1) If requested in writing by law;
2) by a peace officer after a legal request;
3) by a county clerk (pursuant to Section 8209)
Before the notary can notarize the signature of a document what must the notary
confirm? correct answer The notary must confirm the identity of a person before
they can notarize a signature.
Can a California registered immigration consultation or an attorney help a person
fill out immigration forms? correct answer Yes.
Can a commercial mailbox or Post Office Box (PO Box) be listed as 1) residence
address OR 2) the principal place of business. correct answer No.
Can a military notary appointed to notarize on behalf of a reservation perform
their notary acts outside of the reservation where they were appointed? correct
answer No, they must perform all notary acts on the military reservation they
were appointed.
Can a notary be guilty of an infraction if they don't notify the Secretary of State of
his address changes within 30-days? correct answer Yes, and the infraction can be
punished by a fine not exceeding $500 (CGC 8213.5)
with Accurate Answers
Can my private employer require all notary fees be turned over to them and not
allow me to perform notary duties outside their place of business? correct answer
Yes, if the employer pays the premiums on any bond and the cost of any
stamps,seals, or other supplies required in connection with the appointment,
commission, or performance of the duties of such notary public.
A Journal entry must be made at the time of the notarial act and must be
recorded in what order? correct answer in sequential order.
A notary is requested to notarize a document by a person that speaks a different
language and is not able to communicate with their customers, are they able to
notarize their documents? correct answer No, a notary must be able to
communicate directly with their customers.
After obtaining your notary license and you change your place of residence, is
updating my information with the DMV sufficient? correct answer NO. You must,
within 30 days, notify the Secretary of State's office in writing, by certified mail or
any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt, of your change of
address. There is a change of address form (found on the S.O.S website) that can
help you with this task.
Am I allowed to take an approved California 3-hour course of study to become a
notary? correct answer No, if you are not currently licensed as a notary, you must
complete a 6-hour study course, from an authorized vendor, in order to become a
notary public.
,Are their different fee structures for a notary who is appointed to a military
reservation? correct answer They are not allowed to charge a fee.
Are their limitations to when a "Subscribing Witness" CAN NOT be used? correct
answer Yes, A proof of execution by a subscribing witness cannot be used in
conjunction with any power of attorney, quitclaim deed, grant deed (other than a
trustee's deed resulting from a decree of foreclosure, or a nonjudicial foreclosure
pursuant to Civil Code section 2924, or to a deed of reconveyance), mortgage,
deed of trust, security agreement, any instrument affecting real property, or any
instrument requiring a notary public to obtain a thumbprint from the party
signing the document in the notary public's journal.
Are their special rules for placing the notary stamp on a document? correct
answer Yes, the seal must be legibly (photographically reproducible) and not
placed over signatures or other printed material when placed on the document.
Are there any times the right thumbprint is not required when dealing with real
property? correct answer Yes, it shall not apply to a trustee's deed resulting from
a decree of foreclosure or a nonjudicial foreclosure pursuant to Section 2924 of
the Civil Code, nor to a deed of reconveyance.
Are those who committed a felony, including crimes committed over 10 years ago
that are compatible with notary public duties, subject to disqualification? correct
answer Yes, persons who committed a felony compatible with the duties of a
notary would become immediately disqualified.
Are witnesses required when a Signature by Mark is used? correct answer Yes,
The signer's mark must be witnessed by two persons who must subscribe their
own names as witnesses on the document. One witness should write the person's
name next to the person's mark and then the witness should sign his or her name
, as a witness. The witnesses are only verifying that they witnessed the individual
make his or her mark on the document.
At any time, do I have to turn my journal over to someone? correct answer Yes,
but only during a select number of occasions:
1) If requested in writing by law;
2) by a peace officer after a legal request;
3) by a county clerk (pursuant to Section 8209)
Before the notary can notarize the signature of a document what must the notary
confirm? correct answer The notary must confirm the identity of a person before
they can notarize a signature.
Can a California registered immigration consultation or an attorney help a person
fill out immigration forms? correct answer Yes.
Can a commercial mailbox or Post Office Box (PO Box) be listed as 1) residence
address OR 2) the principal place of business. correct answer No.
Can a military notary appointed to notarize on behalf of a reservation perform
their notary acts outside of the reservation where they were appointed? correct
answer No, they must perform all notary acts on the military reservation they
were appointed.
Can a notary be guilty of an infraction if they don't notify the Secretary of State of
his address changes within 30-days? correct answer Yes, and the infraction can be
punished by a fine not exceeding $500 (CGC 8213.5)
