Florida Notary Public Education Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What must a Florida notary do before performing RON for the first time?

Complete 12 additional hours of continuing education
Pass an additional state exam specific to RON
Register with the Florida Department of State as a RON notary (Correct answer)
Obtain a separate RON commission from the Governor

Correct answer: Register with the Florida Department of State as a RON notary

Florida notaries must register with the Department of State before performing RON and must use a state-approved RON technology platform.

Question 2: Which of the following is a requirement for renewing a notary commission in Florida?

Residing in Florida for at least 10 years
Submitting a renewal application before the current commission expires (Correct answer)
Passing a written examination
Retaking the notary education course

Correct answer: Submitting a renewal application before the current commission expires

To renew a notary commission in Florida, the primary requirement is to submit a renewal application before the current commission expires. This process ensures continuity of service and allows the Department of State to verify ongoing eligibility. While education is required for initial commissioning, a specific re-education course is not typically mandated for renewal unless laws change significantly.

Question 3: Is the notary responsible for securing the notary seal against misuse?

Yes. Any unauthorized use of a notary seal by a person who is not the lawfully commissioned notary public is a criminal offense. It is also unlawful for a person to possess a notary seal or commission certificate when that person is not the lawfully commissioned notary public. See sections 117.05(7) and (8).
No
Still no.
Yes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes

A Florida Notary Public is legally responsible for securing their notary seal against misuse. Unauthorized possession or use of a notary seal by someone other than the commissioned notary is a criminal offense, as outlined in Florida Statute 117.05(7) and (8). This responsibility ensures the integrity and security of notarial acts and prevents fraudulent activities.

Question 4: A U.S. passport presented for a Florida notarization that expired 6 months ago — is it acceptable?

No, the ID must be currently valid and not expired (Correct answer)
Yes, if the photo still resembles the signer
Only if accompanied by a second form of expired ID
Yes, passports are always acceptable regardless of expiration

Correct answer: No, the ID must be currently valid and not expired

Florida requires identification to be currently valid; an expired document does not constitute satisfactory evidence of identity.

Question 5: Which of the following is required before applying to become a notary public in Florida?

Having a co-signer for the notary application
Completing a three-hour education course on notary laws (Correct answer)
Submitting a petition with 100 signatures
Passing a notary exam

Correct answer: Completing a three-hour education course on notary laws

Before applying to become a Notary Public in Florida, individuals are required to complete a three-hour education course on notary laws. This course, mandated by Florida Statute 117.01(2)(a), ensures that applicants are knowledgeable about their duties, responsibilities, and the legal framework governing notarial acts in the state.

Question 6: Florida notaries are authorized to certify copies of which type of document?

Birth certificates issued by the state
Non-recordable documents such as private contracts (Correct answer)
Vital records kept by the county clerk
Passports

Correct answer: Non-recordable documents such as private contracts

Florida notaries may certify copies only of non-recordable documents; certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage) must be obtained from the issuing government agency.

Question 7: Can a Florida notary accept a foreign passport as identification?

Only for notarizations of foreign-language documents
Only if translated into English by a certified translator
No, only U.S.-issued documents are acceptable
Yes, if it is currently valid and contains a photo, signature, and identifying number (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, if it is currently valid and contains a photo, signature, and identifying number

Florida law accepts foreign passports as satisfactory identification as long as they are currently valid and contain the required photo, signature, and identifying number.

Question 8: Which notarial act in Florida is used to certify that a copy of an original document is a true and accurate reproduction?

Solemnization
Jurat
Attested copy certification (Correct answer)
Acknowledgment

Correct answer: Attested copy certification

An attested copy certification allows the notary to certify that a copy they have made or compared to the original is a true reproduction.

Question 9: When may a Florida notary notarize a document for a family member?

Only if the notary has no financial interest in the transaction (Correct answer)
Never, under any circumstances
Only for immediate family such as spouses
Always, as long as proper ID is presented

Correct answer: Only if the notary has no financial interest in the transaction

Florida law does not prohibit notarizing for family members, but a notary should not notarize any document in which they have a direct financial or beneficial interest.

Question 10: Which of the following is NOT sufficient by itself as identification for a Florida notarization?

A valid Florida driver's license
A voter registration card without a photo (Correct answer)
A valid U.S. military ID card
A valid U.S. passport

Correct answer: A voter registration card without a photo

A voter registration card without a photo does not meet Florida's requirement that acceptable ID include a photograph of the signer.

Question 11: Under Florida law, which of the following notarial acts allows a Florida notary to unite two people in marriage?

Attested copy
Acknowledgment
Jurat
Solemnization of marriage (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Solemnization of marriage

Florida Statute 117.045 expressly authorizes Florida notaries to solemnize marriages.

Question 12: Which notarial act requires the signer to be physically present before the notary but does NOT require the signer to swear to the truth of the document's contents?

Oath of affirmation
Jurat
Acknowledgment (Correct answer)
Attested copy

Correct answer: Acknowledgment

In an acknowledgment, the signer only acknowledges that the signature is theirs and made of their own free will — no oath about the document's contents is required.

Question 13: An electronic document notarized via Florida RON is signed using what?

A typed name in a specific font designated by the state
The notary's signature applied on behalf of the signer
An electronic signature applied during the RON session (Correct answer)
A wet ink signature scanned and uploaded

Correct answer: An electronic signature applied during the RON session

During a Florida RON session, the signer applies an electronic signature to the document digitally within the approved RON platform.

Question 14: A Florida notary's seal impression must be what color when affixed to paper documents?

Red ink only
Black or blue ink that is photographically reproducible (Correct answer)
Blue ink only
Any color is acceptable

Correct answer: Black or blue ink that is photographically reproducible

Florida law requires the notary seal ink to be photographically reproducible, which typically means black or blue ink, to ensure the seal appears clearly in copies.

Question 15: What does the phrase 'personally appeared before me' in a notarial certificate signify?

The signer was physically present in front of the notary (Correct answer)
The signer submitted their ID remotely
The notary reviewed the document before it was signed
The document was signed with a digital signature

Correct answer: The signer was physically present in front of the notary

The phrase confirms that the signer was physically (in-person) present before the notary at the time of the notarial act, establishing direct personal appearance.

Question 16: What must a Florida notary do if they are convicted of a felony?

Self-report the conviction to the Department of State (Correct answer)
Request a hearing before the Governor within 30 days
Nothing — criminal convictions do not affect notary commissions
Immediately cease all notarial acts and surrender their seal

Correct answer: Self-report the conviction to the Department of State

Florida notaries are expected to self-report felony convictions to the Department of State, which can trigger review and potential revocation of their commission.

Question 17: Which of the following acts by a Florida notary constitutes 'official misconduct'?

Charging a fee higher than the statutory maximum (Correct answer)
Closing their notary office early
Refusing to notarize for a customer during business hours
Notarizing a document without requiring ID if the signer is well-dressed

Correct answer: Charging a fee higher than the statutory maximum

Charging fees above the maximum set by Florida law is a form of official misconduct that can result in discipline of the notary's commission.

Question 18: When notarizing for a person with a Power of Attorney it is the Notary's responsibility to ensure the doc signer has power of attorney

True
False (Correct answer)

Correct answer: False

A Notary Public's responsibility is to verify the identity of the person signing the document and to witness their signature, not to determine their legal authority or capacity, such as having a Power of Attorney. Assessing legal authority falls outside the scope of a notary's duties and would constitute the unauthorized practice of law. The notary simply confirms the signer's identity and willingness to sign.

Question 19: A document signed outside the notary's presence is brought to the notary for notarization. Which act is appropriate if the signer only needs to acknowledge their signature?

Jurat
Acknowledgment (Correct answer)
Oath of office
Attested copy

Correct answer: Acknowledgment

An acknowledgment is appropriate when the signer personally appears before the notary and acknowledges a signature already placed on the document, without needing to re-sign.

Question 20: Florida notaries are required to keep which of the following updated at all times?

A copy of every document they notarize
Their current mailing address on file with the Governor's office (Correct answer)
A list of all clients served
Their legal name registered with the Florida Bar

Correct answer: Their current mailing address on file with the Governor's office

Florida notaries must notify the Department of State of any address change within a specified period to ensure official correspondence is received.

Question 21: When notarizing for a person who is signing a document written in a foreign language not understood by the notary, the notarial certificate must be completed in English

False
True (Correct answer)

Correct answer: True

Regardless of the language of the document being notarized, the notarial certificate itself must always be completed in English. This ensures that the official record of the notarial act is clear, understandable, and legally valid within the United States legal system. The notary's duty is to verify the identity of the signer and witness the signature, not to interpret or translate the document's content.

Question 22: An affirmation differs from an oath in that an affirmation:

Is only valid for business documents
Does not require the notary to be present
Has no legal effect
Does not invoke a religious or divine authority (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Does not invoke a religious or divine authority

An affirmation is a secular alternative to an oath that carries the same legal weight but does not invoke a higher power, accommodating individuals with religious or personal objections.

Question 23: Which element of a government-issued ID is most important in allowing a notary to verify the signer's identity visually?

The ID's serial number
The signer's address
The issuing agency's name
The photograph of the signer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The photograph of the signer

The photograph allows the notary to compare the person before them with the ID holder, making it the most critical element for visual identity verification.

Question 24: What must a Florida notary do if their official seal is lost or stolen?

Order a replacement seal immediately without reporting
Contact local law enforcement and the Governor's office
Continue using a backup seal while waiting for a replacement
Notify the Department of State in writing and disable the lost seal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notify the Department of State in writing and disable the lost seal

If a notary's seal is lost or stolen, they must notify the Department of State and should take steps to prevent unauthorized use of the lost seal.

Question 25: How many credible witnesses may be used to identify a signer when neither witness personally knows the notary?

Two credible witnesses are required (Correct answer)
Three witnesses are required
One witness is always sufficient
No credible witnesses are allowed — only documentary ID is accepted

Correct answer: Two credible witnesses are required

If the credible witness is not personally known to the notary, Florida law requires two credible witnesses (each with acceptable ID) to establish the signer's identity.

Question 26: What is the correct term for a notary's act of confirming that a signer personally appeared and swore an oath?

Acknowledgment
Apostille
Attestation
Jurat (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Jurat

A jurat is the notarial act in which the notary certifies that the signer appeared, was administered an oath or affirmation, and signed the document in the notary's presence.

Question 27: Which of the following should NOT be recorded in a Florida notary's journal entry?

Full text or copy of the document notarized (Correct answer)
Type of identification used by the signer
Type of notarial act performed
Date and time of the notarization

Correct answer: Full text or copy of the document notarized

A journal entry records key details about the act (date, type, ID used, signer information) but does not include the full text or a copy of the document notarized.

Question 28: What should a Florida notary do if they suspect a signer's ID is fraudulent?

Confiscate the ID and contact police
Proceed with the notarization and note the suspicion in the journal
Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
Request additional identification and proceed if one is valid

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization

If a notary suspects the presented identification is fraudulent, they must refuse to perform the notarial act to avoid facilitating fraud.

Question 29: Which of the following is a Florida notary PROHIBITED from doing?

Refusing to notarize a document they suspect is fraudulent
Charging a fee for notarial services
Administering oaths
Providing legal advice or preparing legal documents (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Providing legal advice or preparing legal documents

Florida notaries are prohibited from practicing law, which includes providing legal advice or preparing legal documents unless they are licensed attorneys.

Question 30: Which statement best describes a Florida notary's responsibility regarding document content?

The notary certifies only the identity and signature of the signer, not the document's content (Correct answer)
The notary must review and approve all document language
The notary guarantees the document is legally enforceable
The notary shares legal liability for false statements in the document

Correct answer: The notary certifies only the identity and signature of the signer, not the document's content

A notary certifies the identity of the signer and the authenticity of the signature, not the truthfulness or legality of the document's contents.

Question 31: Under Florida law, 'satisfactory evidence of identity' can be established by which alternative when no ID is available?

The signer's attorney present at the notarization
The signer's verbal assurance of their identity
A credible witness personally known to the notary who vouches for the signer (Correct answer)
A notarized letter from the signer's employer

Correct answer: A credible witness personally known to the notary who vouches for the signer

Florida allows a credible witness who is personally known to the notary (and swears under oath to the signer's identity) to serve as satisfactory evidence of identity.

Question 32: How long is the term of office for a notary public in Florida?

4 years (Correct answer)
2 years
6 years
Lifetime appointment

Correct answer: 4 years

The term of office for a Notary Public in Florida is four years. This fixed period, as stipulated in Florida Statute 117.01(1)(b), requires notaries to periodically renew their commission to continue performing notarial acts, ensuring they remain current with laws and requirements.

Question 33: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Florida?

18 years old (Correct answer)
16 years old
21 years old
25 years old

Correct answer: 18 years old

To become a Notary Public in Florida, an individual must be at least 18 years of age. This age requirement is a fundamental eligibility criterion established by Florida Statute 117.01(1)(a) to ensure notaries are adults capable of understanding and fulfilling their legal responsibilities.

Question 34: What shape must a Florida notary's official seal be?

Circular only
Rectangular only
Circular or rectangular (Correct answer)
Any shape the notary chooses

Correct answer: Circular or rectangular

Florida law requires a notary's official seal to be either circular (with a diameter of 1.5–2 inches) or rectangular (no larger than 1×2.5 inches).

Question 35: A signer presents an Indian tribal ID card for a Florida notarization. Is this acceptable identification?

No, tribal IDs are not recognized under Florida law
Yes, if it is issued by a federally recognized tribe and contains required elements (Correct answer)
Only if accompanied by a state-issued ID
Only if the notarization is on tribal land

Correct answer: Yes, if it is issued by a federally recognized tribe and contains required elements

Florida law recognizes ID cards issued by federally recognized Native American tribes as acceptable if they contain a photo, signature, and identifying number.

Question 36: Which of the following is a required identity verification method specific to Florida's RON process?

A notarized letter from the signer's bank
Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or credential analysis (Correct answer)
In-person presentation of a passport
Biometric fingerprinting

Correct answer: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or credential analysis

Florida's RON framework requires identity proofing through credential analysis and/or knowledge-based authentication (KBA) to verify the remote signer's identity.

Question 37: Which of the following is a valid reason for a Florida notary to REFUSE a notarization?

The signer is unable to produce acceptable identification (Correct answer)
The document is typed rather than handwritten
The signer cannot afford to pay the notary fee
The document is more than 10 pages long

Correct answer: The signer is unable to produce acceptable identification

A notary must refuse to perform a notarial act if the signer cannot present satisfactory evidence of identity, as identity verification is essential.

Question 38: When did Florida authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

January 1, 2020 (Correct answer)
March 1, 2022
July 1, 2017
January 1, 2015

Correct answer: January 1, 2020

Florida's RON law (F.S. 117.021) took effect on January 1, 2020, making Florida one of the first states with a fully operational RON framework.

Question 39: A Notary Public may notarize the signature of their spouse?

True
False (Correct answer)

Correct answer: False

Florida law prohibits a Notary Public from notarizing the signature of their spouse, or any person for whom they are a party to the instrument or have a financial interest in the transaction. This restriction is in place to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the notary's impartiality, which is fundamental to the integrity of the notarial act.

Question 40: What is the required bond amount that a Florida notary public must obtain before receiving their commission?

$1,000
$5,000
$10,000
$7,500 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $7,500

Before receiving their commission, a Florida Notary Public must obtain a $7,500 surety bond. This bond, required by Florida Statute 117.01(1)(c), serves as financial protection for the public against any damages caused by the notary's misconduct or negligence during their official duties.

Florida Notary Public Education Exam

The Florida Notary Public Education Course is required for all first-time notary applicants in Florida, covering state notary laws, duties, acceptable identification, notarial acts, seal and journal requirements, and Remote Online Notarization (RON).

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60 min

Time Limit

70%

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