Connecticut Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Who has the authority to appoint notaries public in Connecticut?

The Superior Court
The Secretary of the State (Correct answer)
The Governor
The State Legislature

Correct answer: The Secretary of the State

In Connecticut, notaries public are appointed by the Secretary of the State.

Question 2: A title company asks a Connecticut notary to send several signed, sealed certificates with the details left blank 'to speed things up.' What should the notary do?

Refuse, because issuing incomplete or blank certificates is prohibited (Correct answer)
Send them but keep photocopies
Send only one blank certificate at a time
Comply, since title companies are trusted parties

Correct answer: Refuse, because issuing incomplete or blank certificates is prohibited

Providing signed blank certificates is prohibited because it enables fraudulent notarizations the notary never witnessed.

Question 3: A notary is asked to backdate a journal entry to match a document dated last month. She should:

Refuse, because journal entries must reflect the actual date of the notarial act (Correct answer)
Backdate the entry if the client insists
Backdate it but add a small dot as a private marker
Leave the date blank so anyone can fill it in later

Correct answer: Refuse, because journal entries must reflect the actual date of the notarial act

Falsifying the date of a notarial record is fraudulent and undermines the entire purpose of the journal.

Question 4: A bank asks a Connecticut notary-employee to notarize signatures on documents left overnight in a drawer, 'to keep records moving.' The proper documentation response is:

Notarize but keep a private note that signers were absent
Refuse, because a certificate may only document a personal appearance that actually occurred (Correct answer)
Notarize them if the branch manager co-signs
Notarize only the documents from established customers

Correct answer: Refuse, because a certificate may only document a personal appearance that actually occurred

Certifying an appearance that never happened is false certification, regardless of employer pressure.

Question 5: Can a notary accept foreign identification documents?

Only at international border crossing locations
No, only US-issued documents are accepted
Only if translated to English by a certified translator
Yes, a valid foreign passport is generally acceptable identification (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, a valid foreign passport is generally acceptable identification

Foreign passports are generally accepted as valid identification for notarization because they are government-issued photo IDs meeting the basic identification requirements.

Question 6: Why is it improper for a notary to notarize a signature for someone who is not present, even when a family member presents the absent person's valid ID?

Absent signers must send certified mail first
Identity, willingness, and the act of acknowledgment can only be verified from the signer personally, not through an intermediary (Correct answer)
Family members must pay a higher fee
IDs may only be handled by their owners under federal law

Correct answer: Identity, willingness, and the act of acknowledgment can only be verified from the signer personally, not through an intermediary

The notary must deal directly with the signer in person, because no intermediary can substitute for personal appearance and verification.

Question 7: A signer with severe tremors physically cannot make even a mark. Some states permit another person to sign at the signer's direction. If handling such a request, the careful Connecticut notary should first:

Proceed automatically because other states allow it
Sign the document personally as a courtesy
Have the signer's nurse decide what is allowed
Verify whether Connecticut law authorizes signature by proxy for that act and decline if authority is unclear (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Verify whether Connecticut law authorizes signature by proxy for that act and decline if authority is unclear

A notary may only perform acts authorized by their own state's law, so unclear authority means declining or seeking guidance.

Question 8: What must a Connecticut notary do if their electronic notarization platform experiences a complete technical failure mid-session?

Complete the notarization by phone call instead
Note the failure in the certificate and continue
Stop the session and not proceed until a functioning platform is available (Correct answer)
Have the signer sign a paper version and mail it in

Correct answer: Stop the session and not proceed until a functioning platform is available

If the technology fails during a RON session, the notary must stop and cannot proceed until a functioning platform is available to ensure proper documentation.

Question 9: Which scenario shows a proper use of satisfactory evidence in Connecticut?

Accepting a gym membership card as sole identification
Accepting the signer's promise to email his ID later
Relying on a valid, unexpired passport whose photo and signature match the signer (Correct answer)
Identifying a stranger based on his monogrammed briefcase

Correct answer: Relying on a valid, unexpired passport whose photo and signature match the signer

A current passport matching the bearer's photo and signature is a reliable government-issued credential establishing identity.

Question 10: A signing agency offers a Connecticut notary $100 per loan-signing appointment. Why can this be lawful even though the notarial fee cap is $5.00 per act?

Loan signings are exempt from all Connecticut notary laws
The payment compensates travel, time, and non-notarial signing-agent services in addition to the capped notarial acts (Correct answer)
Signing agencies are allowed to set their own fee caps
The cap only applies to cash payments, not checks

Correct answer: The payment compensates travel, time, and non-notarial signing-agent services in addition to the capped notarial acts

Compensation for travel and non-notarial services is separate from the capped per-act fee, which is how loan-signing pay can lawfully exceed the cap.

Question 11: A daughter presents her elderly mother's signed deed and says her mother is too ill to appear. The mother is not present. The notary should:

Call the mother by phone to confirm and then notarize
Refuse, because the signer must personally appear before the notary (Correct answer)
Notarize if the daughter shows the mother's ID
Notarize based on the daughter's sworn statement

Correct answer: Refuse, because the signer must personally appear before the notary

Personal appearance of the signer is required and cannot be delegated to a relative or satisfied by a phone call for a standard notarization.

Question 12: A signer under obvious threat from an accompanying person asks for a notarization while glancing nervously at that person. The notary suspects coercion. The notary should:

Proceed and note 'possible duress' in the certificate
Refuse or pause the notarization because the signature may not be willingly made (Correct answer)
Ask the accompanying person to co-sign
Proceed quickly to defuse the situation

Correct answer: Refuse or pause the notarization because the signature may not be willingly made

A notarization requires a willing signer, so suspected duress is grounds to refuse.

Question 13: A deployed service member's spouse asks the notary to notarize the absent service member's signature because "military families get exceptions." The notary should:

Mail the notarized certificate to the deployment location
Decline and suggest the service member use a notarizing officer or authorized service available where deployed (Correct answer)
Notarize if the spouse holds a general power of attorney
Notarize as a patriotic accommodation

Correct answer: Decline and suggest the service member use a notarizing officer or authorized service available where deployed

Absent signers cannot be notarized for; deployed personnel can access military notarizing officers or other authorized options where they are stationed.

Question 14: A Connecticut notary discovers a typo in the venue after signing the certificate but before returning the document. What is the proper way to correct it?

Leave the error since certificates cannot be changed
The notary draws a single line through the error, writes the correction, and initials it (Correct answer)
Use correction fluid so the error is invisible
The signer corrects it and initials the change

Correct answer: The notary draws a single line through the error, writes the correction, and initials it

Only the notary may correct their own certificate, and corrections should be lined through, corrected, and initialed rather than concealed.

Question 15: Which technology requirement must a Connecticut RON platform meet?

It must use blockchain technology exclusively
It must be approved or accepted by the Secretary of the State (Correct answer)
It must be approved by the IRS
It must be operated from a server physically located in Connecticut

Correct answer: It must be approved or accepted by the Secretary of the State

Connecticut RON platforms must be approved or accepted by the Secretary of the State to ensure they meet security and reliability standards.

Question 16: Which scenario shows a notary correctly using layered identity verification?

Accepting a passport without opening it because passports are trustworthy
Accepting any ID as long as two are presented
Relying on the office receptionist's nod of recognition
Checking a current passport, comparing the photo and signature, and asking the signer to confirm details on the ID (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Checking a current passport, comparing the photo and signature, and asking the signer to confirm details on the ID

Careful examination of a valid ID combined with photo, signature, and detail confirmation is thorough identification practice.

Question 17: A document presented for notarization has a blank space where the property address should be. What should the Connecticut notary do?

Ask the signer to complete or line through the blank before notarizing (Correct answer)
Fill in the blank based on the signer's verbal statement
Attach a separate page explaining the blank
Notarize it and let the parties fill in the blank later

Correct answer: Ask the signer to complete or line through the blank before notarizing

Notaries should not notarize documents with material blanks; the signer must complete or strike them first to prevent fraud.

Question 18: A signer with a broken arm asks another person to sign the document for him in front of the notary. This procedure is known as:

Proxy acknowledgment
Signature by designee at the direction of the signer (Correct answer)
Signature by mark
Power of attorney execution

Correct answer: Signature by designee at the direction of the signer

When a person is physically unable to sign, another individual may sign at the signer's direction and in the presence of the signer and notary.

Question 19: For all Connecticut notarial acts including electronic ones, what must the notary verify about the signer?

That the signer owns the property referenced in the document
That the signer is willing, competent, and not acting under duress (Correct answer)
That the signer has legal representation present
That the signer has paid the applicable notarial fee

Correct answer: That the signer is willing, competent, and not acting under duress

For all notarial acts, including electronic ones, the notary must verify that the signer is willing, competent, and not acting under duress.

Question 20: What should a notary do if they suspect a signer is using fraudulent identification?

Complete the notarization but note concerns in the journal
Contact the signer's bank to verify identity
Refuse to perform the notarization and document the refusal (Correct answer)
Accept the ID but add a disclaimer to the certificate

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization and document the refusal

If a notary suspects fraudulent identification, they must refuse to notarize. Proceeding despite suspicion could make the notary liable for facilitating fraud.

Question 21: A document arrives already signed, and the signer appears before the notary to acknowledge it. Which statement is correct?

The notary must refuse because the signature was not made in her presence
The notary may take the acknowledgment after verifying the signer's identity and that the signature is the signer's own (Correct answer)
The signer must re-sign a fresh copy of the document
Acknowledgments never require identification

Correct answer: The notary may take the acknowledgment after verifying the signer's identity and that the signature is the signer's own

For an acknowledgment, the signer need not sign in the notary's presence but must personally appear, be identified, and acknowledge the signature as his or her own.

Question 22: How should a notary handle their journal of notarial acts?

The notary should keep the journal secure and confidential, allowing access only as required by law. (Correct answer)
The notary should discard the journal after a certain period.
The notary should leave the journal in a public place for transparency.
The notary can share the journal with anyone who requests to view it.

Correct answer: The notary should keep the journal secure and confidential, allowing access only as required by law.

A notary's journal is a critical record of all notarial acts performed and often contains sensitive personal information. Notaries are legally required to maintain their journal securely to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized access. Access to the journal is typically restricted to the notary, authorized law enforcement, or by court order, ensuring confidentiality and accountability.

Question 23: What is the purpose of 'tamper-evident technology' required in Connecticut electronic notarizations?

To prevent the notary from charging excess fees
To detect any changes made to the document after notarization (Correct answer)
To track the notary's physical location during the act
To encrypt the signer's personal identification number

Correct answer: To detect any changes made to the document after notarization

Tamper-evident technology ensures that any post-notarization alterations to an electronic document can be detected, preserving document integrity.

Question 24: What is the primary method for identifying a document signer?

A verbal statement of their name
A business card with their name
Current government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license or passport (Correct answer)
A signature comparison with a sample on file

Correct answer: Current government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license or passport

The primary identification method is a current, government-issued photo ID that contains the signer's photograph, physical description, and signature.

Question 25: A customer asks a Connecticut notary to notarize a self-prepared will. What is the most prudent response for a non-attorney notary?

Rewrite the will so it qualifies for notarization
Add witness signatures on the customer's behalf
Notarize it, since notarization makes any will valid
Suggest the customer consult an attorney, since wills have special execution requirements a notarization may not satisfy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Suggest the customer consult an attorney, since wills have special execution requirements a notarization may not satisfy

Wills require specific witnessing formalities, and advising on or altering them would be unauthorized practice of law, so referral to an attorney is prudent.

Question 26: A signer becomes irritated when asked for identification and says the notary is being insulting. The notary should:

Skip the ID check to avoid conflict
Notarize but write 'identity not verified' in the journal
Politely explain that identification is legally required and proceed only if it is provided (Correct answer)
Ask a coworker to vouch for the signer

Correct answer: Politely explain that identification is legally required and proceed only if it is provided

Verifying identity is a legal duty that cannot be waived because a signer objects.

Question 27: A caller asks the notary to notarize a signature that was made yesterday on a jurat. The notary should explain that:

The jurat can be converted to a certified copy instead
Any signature within 30 days may be accepted
The signer can mail the document with a copy of ID
A jurat requires the signer to sign, or re-sign, in the notary's presence while taking the oath (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A jurat requires the signer to sign, or re-sign, in the notary's presence while taking the oath

A jurat requires signing in the notary's presence under oath, so a prior signature must be re-executed before the notary.

Question 28: A Connecticut notary receives a subpoena for a copy of a journal entry from three years ago. The best-documented response is to:

Refuse because journals are private property
Testify from memory instead of producing records
Hand over the original journal permanently
Provide a copy of the specific entry requested while safeguarding unrelated entries (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Provide a copy of the specific entry requested while safeguarding unrelated entries

Complying with lawful process for the relevant entry, while protecting other signers' information, balances legal duty and privacy.

Question 29: What oath or affirmation language is required for a jurat?

No specific language is required
The Pledge of Allegiance
A statement written by the signer
Words that bind the signer to the truthfulness of the document, such as 'Do you swear this is true?' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Words that bind the signer to the truthfulness of the document, such as 'Do you swear this is true?'

The notary must administer a verbal oath or affirmation that binds the signer to the truthfulness of the statements in the document, using language like 'Do you solemnly swear that the contents of this document are true and correct?'

Question 30: A signer asks the notary to certify a photocopy of his U.S. passport. Connecticut notaries should generally:

Send the copy to the Secretary of the State for certification
Stamp the photocopy "certified true copy" as requested
Certify the copy only if it is in color
Decline, and suggest the signer make a written declaration about the copy that the notary can then notarize (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Decline, and suggest the signer make a written declaration about the copy that the notary can then notarize

Copy certification of documents like passports is not an authorized Connecticut notarial act, but the signer's own sworn statement about the copy can be notarized.

Question 31: Which official appoints Connecticut notaries and maintains the records used to verify a notary's signature and commission?

The Secretary of the State (Correct answer)
The chief judge of each county
The Governor's legal counsel
The town tax collector

Correct answer: The Secretary of the State

The Connecticut Secretary of the State appoints notaries and maintains commission records used for verification and authentication.

Question 32: Can a notary notarize a document for a family member?

Yes, family members are preferred signers
Only for parents and siblings
Generally no, because the familial relationship creates a disqualifying interest (Correct answer)
Only if no other notary is available

Correct answer: Generally no, because the familial relationship creates a disqualifying interest

Most states prohibit notarizing for close family members because the relationship creates an inherent conflict of interest and bias, even if the notary acts in good faith.

Question 33: What must a Connecticut notary include in an electronic notarial certificate to distinguish it from a paper notarization?

The signer's IP address
A statement indicating that the notarization was performed electronically (Correct answer)
Their personal email address
A QR code linking to their commission record

Correct answer: A statement indicating that the notarization was performed electronically

An electronic notarial certificate must contain a statement indicating that the notarization was performed using electronic means.

Question 34: After resigning their commission, a former Connecticut notary continues notarizing 'just for family.' This conduct is:

Acceptable for immediate family only
Acceptable for 90 days after resignation
Acceptable if no fee is charged
Unlawful, because notarial acts require a valid, active commission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Unlawful, because notarial acts require a valid, active commission

Performing notarial acts without an active commission is unauthorized and unlawful regardless of the relationship or fee.

Question 35: A Connecticut notary is asked to notarize a will's self-proving affidavit, but the certificate space is torn off. The signer hands over a certificate from a different, unrelated document. What should the notary do?

Reuse the old certificate since the wording is similar
Notarize without any certificate
Staple the old certificate and initial it
Decline to reuse it and attach a new, properly completed certificate identifying the current document (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Decline to reuse it and attach a new, properly completed certificate identifying the current document

A certificate may never be transferred between documents; a fresh certificate identifying the correct document must be completed.

Question 36: What is the safest general rule for a Connecticut notary asked any question beginning with "What does this document mean..."?

Refer the signer to a licensed attorney (Correct answer)
Answer if the notary has notarized similar documents before
Consult the internet and relay the findings
Answer only for documents under five pages

Correct answer: Refer the signer to a licensed attorney

Any question about a document's meaning or effect calls for legal advice, so referral to an attorney is the safe response.

Question 37: A hospital patient who is heavily sedated needs a power of attorney notarized urgently, according to her family. The notary should:

Postpone or refuse unless the patient is lucid enough to demonstrate awareness and willingness (Correct answer)
Let the family answer the notary's questions on her behalf
Proceed because of the medical urgency
Notarize with a doctor's note attached

Correct answer: Postpone or refuse unless the patient is lucid enough to demonstrate awareness and willingness

The signer personally must demonstrate awareness and willingness; sedation that prevents this requires the notary to refuse or wait.

Question 38: A court subpoenas a notary's journal for a case involving one entry. The best response is to:

Burn the journal before the hearing
Ignore the subpoena since journals are optional in Connecticut
Comply with the subpoena while protecting unrelated entries, such as by producing a certified copy of the relevant entry (Correct answer)
Send the original journal by regular mail with no tracking

Correct answer: Comply with the subpoena while protecting unrelated entries, such as by producing a certified copy of the relevant entry

A notary must respond to lawful subpoenas but should protect other signers' information by limiting production to the relevant entries where permitted.

Question 39: While notarizing a stack of loan documents, the notary notices one certificate falsely states a corporate officer appeared, but only the individual borrower is present. The notary should:

Have the borrower sign the officer's name
Correct the certificate to name only the person who actually appeared (Correct answer)
Skip the certificate and notarize the rest
Complete the certificate as printed to avoid delaying the closing

Correct answer: Correct the certificate to name only the person who actually appeared

A notary may only certify facts that are true, so the certificate must be corrected to reflect who actually appeared.

Question 40: A signer presents an ID that expired several years ago. What is the most defensible approach for the notary?

Treat it with caution and seek current, reliable identification or another form of satisfactory evidence (Correct answer)
Accept it automatically because photos never change
Accept it only if the signer pays a double fee
Cut the expired ID in half and keep it

Correct answer: Treat it with caution and seek current, reliable identification or another form of satisfactory evidence

A long-expired ID is less reliable, so the prudent notary asks for current identification or other satisfactory evidence.

Question 41: What action must a Connecticut notary take when resigning their commission?

Return the commission certificate to the Governor's office
File notice with the Superior Court
Destroy their notary seal immediately
Submit a written resignation to the Secretary of the State (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Submit a written resignation to the Secretary of the State

A Connecticut notary wishing to resign must submit a written resignation to the Secretary of the State.

Question 42: A certificate reads 'personally appeared before me.' What does this phrase obligate the Connecticut notary to confirm?

That the signer appeared sometime that week
That the signer was physically (or through an authorized remote process) in the notary's presence during the act (Correct answer)
That the signer's attorney appeared on their behalf
That the signer mailed the document directly to the notary

Correct answer: That the signer was physically (or through an authorized remote process) in the notary's presence during the act

Personal appearance means the signer was actually before the notary at the time of the act, so certifying it without appearance is false certification.

Question 43: What is the key functional difference between a notary surety bond and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance?

A surety bond protects the public; E&O insurance protects the notary (Correct answer)
A surety bond is optional; E&O insurance is required in Connecticut
There is no practical difference between the two
E&O insurance must be filed with the state; a bond does not

Correct answer: A surety bond protects the public; E&O insurance protects the notary

A surety bond compensates members of the public harmed by the notary, while E&O insurance covers the notary's own legal costs and liability arising from errors.

Question 44: A Connecticut notary's surety bond is best described as which of the following?

A voluntary pledge that the notary will follow state law
A financial guarantee that compensates the public for valid claims arising from notary misconduct (Correct answer)
A license certification demonstrating the notary's professional competence
A government savings account funded by the notary's commission fees

Correct answer: A financial guarantee that compensates the public for valid claims arising from notary misconduct

A surety bond is a three-party financial guarantee ensuring that members of the public can be compensated if the notary's misconduct causes them harm.

Question 45: Before accepting a credible witness to identify a signer, the notary should confirm the witness:

Is a blood relative of the signer
Is an employee of the notary
Has no financial interest in the transaction and personally knows the signer (Correct answer)
Has held a Connecticut driver's license for ten years

Correct answer: Has no financial interest in the transaction and personally knows the signer

A credible witness must be disinterested in the transaction and have personal knowledge of the signer's identity.

Question 46: Why is it important that the name a Connecticut notary signs on a certificate match the name on their commission?

The seal will not fit otherwise
State law requires notaries to use only initials
A mismatched name can cause the notarization to be rejected because the notary's authority cannot be verified (Correct answer)
It affects the fee the notary may charge

Correct answer: A mismatched name can cause the notarization to be rejected because the notary's authority cannot be verified

Recorders and verifiers compare the signed name to the commission on file, so a mismatch can cause rejection of the notarization.

Question 47: Which combination best establishes identity when the notary does not know the signer?

The signer's confident demeanor and detailed answers
A gym membership card with photo
A current passport plus the notary's careful comparison of photo and signature (Correct answer)
Two utility bills and a business card

Correct answer: A current passport plus the notary's careful comparison of photo and signature

A current government-issued photo ID, verified carefully against the person, is the strongest identification method for strangers.

Question 48: Can a Connecticut notary use their existing physical ink stamp for electronic notarizations?

Yes, by scanning and attaching an image of the stamp to the document
No, an electronic notarial seal that meets CT requirements must be used instead (Correct answer)
Yes, but only if the document is printed, stamped, and then rescanned
No, electronic notarizations require no seal at all

Correct answer: No, an electronic notarial seal that meets CT requirements must be used instead

Electronic notarizations require an electronic notarial seal meeting CT requirements rather than the physical stamp used for paper documents.

Question 49: What is typically considered an acceptable form of identification for verifying a signer's identity during a notarial act?

A credit card or membership card with the signer's name.
A utility bill with the signer's name and address.
A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. (Correct answer)
A handwritten note from a friend confirming the signer's identity.

Correct answer: A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

Notaries are legally required to verify the identity of signers to prevent fraud and ensure the person signing is who they claim to be. Government-issued photo IDs, such as a driver's license or passport, are considered the most reliable forms of identification. These documents are issued by official agencies, contain a photograph, and often include security features that make them difficult to forge, thus providing a high level of assurance for identity verification.

Question 50: A Connecticut notary made an error in a certificate discovered two weeks after the notarization. The document is still with the signer. What is the proper approach?

Mail the signer a signed blank certificate to attach
Tell the signer to correct the certificate at home
Perform a new notarization with the signer present and complete a new, correct certificate (Correct answer)
Correct the certificate from memory without seeing the document

Correct answer: Perform a new notarization with the signer present and complete a new, correct certificate

Once the document has left the notary's control, the safe remedy is a fresh notarization with the signer appearing again.

Question 51: Which of the following is a proper reason for a Connecticut notary to refuse a notarization?

The document is longer than ten pages
The notary personally dislikes the document's purpose
The signer is not a customer of the notary's employer
The signer cannot be properly identified (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The signer cannot be properly identified

A notary must refuse when a legal requirement such as satisfactory identification cannot be met.

Question 52: What is the consequence of notarizing a document despite a conflict of interest?

Only a verbal reprimand from the state
The notarization may be invalidated and the notary may face disciplinary action or liability (Correct answer)
There are no consequences if the document is otherwise valid
The signer must redo the document

Correct answer: The notarization may be invalidated and the notary may face disciplinary action or liability

A conflicted notarization may be voidable, and the notary may face commission revocation, civil liability for damages, and potential criminal charges depending on the circumstances and state law.

Question 53: When does a Connecticut notary's authority to perform notarial acts officially begin?

When the application is submitted
After purchasing a notary seal
After taking the oath of office and filing it with the town or city clerk (Correct answer)
When the commission certificate is received in the mail

Correct answer: After taking the oath of office and filing it with the town or city clerk

A Connecticut notary may not perform notarial acts until after taking the oath of office and having it filed with the town or city clerk.

Question 54: After properly declining a notarization due to a conflict, what is the most professional next step?

Charge a consultation fee for the refusal
Briefly explain the disqualification and refer the signer to another available notary (Correct answer)
Offer to notarize it later when no one is watching
Say nothing and walk away

Correct answer: Briefly explain the disqualification and refer the signer to another available notary

A courteous explanation and referral serves the public while maintaining the notary's integrity.

Question 55: Which scenario illustrates an appearance of impropriety rather than a strict legal disqualification?

Notarizing a document for a close friend where the notary has no stake in the transaction (Correct answer)
Notarizing a deed naming the notary as buyer
Notarizing a contract the notary also signs as a party
Notarizing a will in which the notary inherits

Correct answer: Notarizing a document for a close friend where the notary has no stake in the transaction

Friendship alone does not legally disqualify a notary, but it can create an appearance concern; the other options are true disqualifications.

Question 56: What should a Connecticut notary do with expired commission documentation once a new commission is issued?

Alternate between old and new dates for one year
Update all certificates and any stamp to reflect the new commission expiration date (Correct answer)
Sell the old certificate to a colleague
Continue using the old expiration date until supplies run out

Correct answer: Update all certificates and any stamp to reflect the new commission expiration date

Using an expired commission date on certificates misstates the notary's authority and invalidates trust in the record.

Question 57: A document names the signer as 'Jonathan A. Smith' but his license reads 'Jon Smith.' The safest course for the notary is to:

Refuse outright because names never match
Look for additional evidence that both names refer to the same person before proceeding (Correct answer)
Notarize since 'Jon' is obviously short for 'Jonathan'
Alter the document to say 'Jon Smith'

Correct answer: Look for additional evidence that both names refer to the same person before proceeding

The notary should resolve name variations with supporting evidence rather than assume or alter the document.

Question 58: A Connecticut notary commissioned as a resident later moves out of state. What happens to their commission?

It remains valid until expiration regardless of where they live
They may retain it if they continue to have a principal place of employment in Connecticut (Correct answer)
It is automatically revoked upon relocation
It converts to a 1-year temporary commission

Correct answer: They may retain it if they continue to have a principal place of employment in Connecticut

A notary who moves out of Connecticut may retain their commission only if they continue to have a principal place of employment in Connecticut.

Question 59: May a Connecticut notary charge a higher notarial act fee on weekends or after business hours?

Yes, up to $25 on Sundays only
Only if the signer agrees in writing
No; the statutory maximum per act applies regardless of the day or time (Correct answer)
Yes; the cap doubles outside business hours

Correct answer: No; the statutory maximum per act applies regardless of the day or time

The $5.00 statutory cap on the notarial act fee applies at all times, though separately agreed travel charges are still allowed.

Question 60: Which of these relationships, by itself, does NOT require a Connecticut notary to refuse a notarization?

The notary signed the document as a party
The notary is a payee named in the document
The signer is the notary's neighbor with no shared interest in the document (Correct answer)
The notary receives a percentage of the transaction

Correct answer: The signer is the notary's neighbor with no shared interest in the document

Mere acquaintance, such as being a neighbor, does not create a disqualifying interest.

Connecticut Notary Public Exam

The Connecticut Notary Public Exam tests knowledge of CT notarial acts, identification and verification procedures, record-keeping requirements, acknowledgments, jurats, notary seal and certificate standards, electronic and remote notarization, and the unauthorized practice of law.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
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No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

portal.ct.gov — Test delivery, eligibility, fees, passing score, score validity · verified Oct 2026