CA NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CA NOTARY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A notary notarizes a document but the signer requests the notary not record the act in the journal for privacy reasons. What should the notary do? → Refuse to omit the entry; journal recording is mandatory
2. A California notary is asked to produce their journal by the Secretary of State for an investigation. What must the notary do? → Comply and provide the journal immediately or within the required timeframe
3. What must a California notary do when completing a jurat for a non-English-speaking signer? → Administer the oath through an interpreter and ensure the signer understands
4. Which term describes the wording at the beginning of a notarial certificate that states where the notarization occurred? → Venue
5. What is the primary purpose of a notarial acknowledgment in California? → To verify the signer appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing voluntarily
6. A California notary notarizes 3 signatures on one document. What is the maximum total fee they may charge? → $45
7. Is a California notary required to post their fee schedule? → Yes, fees must be posted in a conspicuous place in the notary's office if they charge fees
8. Which notarial act requires the signer to swear or affirm that the contents of a document are true? → Jurat
9. A notary is disciplined by the Secretary of State for misconduct. Can they reapply for a new commission? → Yes, after a waiting period and with demonstrated rehabilitation, they may reapply
10. What is the purpose of a notary journal? → To record details of all notarizations performed
11. For an acknowledgment, what must the notary personally verify about the signer? → That the signer personally appeared and is who they claim to be
12. A California notary public applies their seal, but the impression is smudged and unreadable. What is the appropriate action? → Re-apply the seal in a clear area so a legible impression appears on the document
13. What is the maximum fee a California notary may charge for certifying a copy of a power of attorney? → $10
14. What does 'venue' refer to on a California notarial certificate? → The state and county where the notarization took place
15. How must a California notary public store their official seal when not in use? → In a locked, secured area under the notary's direct control
16. Which of the following pieces of information is NOT required to appear on a California notary public's official seal? → The notary's home address
17. Which of the following is NOT required in a California jurat certificate? → The document's full legal description
18. What action must a California notary take if a pre-printed certificate on a document contains incorrect notarial language? → Refuse to notarize or attach a separate California-compliant certificate
19. A signer wants to use a foreign passport to establish identity for a California notarization. Is this acceptable? → Yes, a current foreign passport is an acceptable form of ID under California law
20. How long is a notary commission valid in California? → 4 years
21. When a California notary applies their seal to a notarial certificate, what additional step is also required on the certificate? → The notary must sign the certificate with their official signature
22. What type of seal is a California notary public required to use as their official seal? → A rubber stamp seal that produces a photographically reproducible impression
23. California law requires that a notary's seal impression must be: → Legible and photographically reproducible
24. What is the primary duty of a notary public? → Witness signatures and administer oaths
25. Where on a notarized document should a California notary public affix their official seal? → On the acknowledgment or jurat certificate near the notary's signature
26. A notary working for an employer performs notarizations as part of their job duties. Who may keep the fees collected? → The employer, if that is what the employment agreement specifies
27. Can a California notary use a single journal entry to record a notarial act for multiple signers on the same document? → No, each signer must have a separate journal entry
28. May a California notary charge a fee for services that are expressly required by law to be performed free of charge? → No, fees are prohibited when law mandates free notarization
29. The county listed on a California notary public's official seal must be: → The notary's county of principal place of business as stated on the application
30. For a jurat in California, when must the document be signed? → In the presence of the notary at the time of the jurat