Notary Public Exam Questions and
Answers Graded A+
1) When can a notary public reapply for commission without re-testing? - Correct
answer-1) Up until 6 months from expiration date.
2) Up until 1 year after military discharge (except dishonorable)
3) When the renewal is mailed to the notary public reminding that expiration date
is in 3 months.
2) Who is appointed to accept process service on behalf of the notary public who is
a non-resident? - Correct answer-The Secretary of state.
3) Can a notary public be denied reappointment at the time of renewal, even if in
excellent, good standing? - Correct answer-Yes, in any case the appointment is at
the complete discretion of the Secretary of State.
4) What are the general notary public eligibility requirements, although not limited
to these? - Correct answer-1) US Citizen.
2) Reside or have a place of business in state.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,3) Good moral character.
4) Common school education.
5) No felony convictions. No convictions of weapons, burglar instruments or
burglary, stolen property, unlawful entry, aiding prison escape,
possession/distributing drugs, violations of selective draft act.
6) 18 years old.
5) Does the notary public receive an ID or license? - Correct answer-Yes, receives
an ID card within 2 weeks of Secretary of State receipt of passed exam with fee
and application.
6) What is the term of the notary public commission? - Correct answer-4 years.
7) Who issues the notary public id/license? - Correct answer-Secretary of State.
The Division of Licensing Services.
8) How does the notary public renew his license and when? - Correct answer-
Approximately 3 months prior to the expiration, a renewal application is posted to
the notary public, which must be completed and returned with teh $60 fee to the
County Clerk.
9) What does a notary public do? - Correct answer-1) Administer oaths /
affimrations.
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,2) Take affidavits and depositions.
3) Receive / certify acknowledgements, deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney.
4) Demand / accept or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange, promissory
notes and obligations in writing protesting the same for non-payment.
10) Who commissions or license a notary public? - Correct answer-Secretary of
State forwards the commissions, the original oath of office and signature of the
newly appointed notary public to the county clerk.
11) What happens when a notary public moves out of the state and does not at least
retain an office address within the state? - Correct answer-By doing so he vacates
his office commission.
12) How many notary publics can the Secretary of
State appoint? - Correct answer-As many as he likes.
13) What are the general regulations and procedures at the test center? - Correct
answer-1) Photo ID.
2) Thumb print taken.
3) Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
4) First-come, first-serve
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, 5) Bring two #2 pencils.
6) No study materials allowed
7) 1 hour to take the test, 40 multiple choice questions, 70% passes (28).
14) What are 4 examples of activities involving the practice of law which are
prohibited for the notary public and can result in the removal from the office,
possible imprisonment or both? - Correct answer-1) Giving advice on law, drawing
papers, or any legal documents recognized by courts.
2) Asking for or getting legal business to give to a lawyer and getting paid (it's ok
to give business to a lawyer if not being compensated.
3) Notary service on wills
4) Doing anything that infers you can give advice like advertising.
15) When are the only times a notary public can engage indirectly in the practice of
law? - Correct answer-Never, unless representing own self.
16) Of the 2 simplest forms of oath, what is required for both? - Correct answer-
Oath / affirmation
1) A person who's oath is being taken must be in the presence of authorized office
(notary public) to administer it.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Answers Graded A+
1) When can a notary public reapply for commission without re-testing? - Correct
answer-1) Up until 6 months from expiration date.
2) Up until 1 year after military discharge (except dishonorable)
3) When the renewal is mailed to the notary public reminding that expiration date
is in 3 months.
2) Who is appointed to accept process service on behalf of the notary public who is
a non-resident? - Correct answer-The Secretary of state.
3) Can a notary public be denied reappointment at the time of renewal, even if in
excellent, good standing? - Correct answer-Yes, in any case the appointment is at
the complete discretion of the Secretary of State.
4) What are the general notary public eligibility requirements, although not limited
to these? - Correct answer-1) US Citizen.
2) Reside or have a place of business in state.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,3) Good moral character.
4) Common school education.
5) No felony convictions. No convictions of weapons, burglar instruments or
burglary, stolen property, unlawful entry, aiding prison escape,
possession/distributing drugs, violations of selective draft act.
6) 18 years old.
5) Does the notary public receive an ID or license? - Correct answer-Yes, receives
an ID card within 2 weeks of Secretary of State receipt of passed exam with fee
and application.
6) What is the term of the notary public commission? - Correct answer-4 years.
7) Who issues the notary public id/license? - Correct answer-Secretary of State.
The Division of Licensing Services.
8) How does the notary public renew his license and when? - Correct answer-
Approximately 3 months prior to the expiration, a renewal application is posted to
the notary public, which must be completed and returned with teh $60 fee to the
County Clerk.
9) What does a notary public do? - Correct answer-1) Administer oaths /
affimrations.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,2) Take affidavits and depositions.
3) Receive / certify acknowledgements, deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney.
4) Demand / accept or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange, promissory
notes and obligations in writing protesting the same for non-payment.
10) Who commissions or license a notary public? - Correct answer-Secretary of
State forwards the commissions, the original oath of office and signature of the
newly appointed notary public to the county clerk.
11) What happens when a notary public moves out of the state and does not at least
retain an office address within the state? - Correct answer-By doing so he vacates
his office commission.
12) How many notary publics can the Secretary of
State appoint? - Correct answer-As many as he likes.
13) What are the general regulations and procedures at the test center? - Correct
answer-1) Photo ID.
2) Thumb print taken.
3) Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
4) First-come, first-serve
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, 5) Bring two #2 pencils.
6) No study materials allowed
7) 1 hour to take the test, 40 multiple choice questions, 70% passes (28).
14) What are 4 examples of activities involving the practice of law which are
prohibited for the notary public and can result in the removal from the office,
possible imprisonment or both? - Correct answer-1) Giving advice on law, drawing
papers, or any legal documents recognized by courts.
2) Asking for or getting legal business to give to a lawyer and getting paid (it's ok
to give business to a lawyer if not being compensated.
3) Notary service on wills
4) Doing anything that infers you can give advice like advertising.
15) When are the only times a notary public can engage indirectly in the practice of
law? - Correct answer-Never, unless representing own self.
16) Of the 2 simplest forms of oath, what is required for both? - Correct answer-
Oath / affirmation
1) A person who's oath is being taken must be in the presence of authorized office
(notary public) to administer it.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
