Florida Notary Public Education Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What makes an identification document 'currently valid' for Florida notarization purposes?

It has not passed its expiration date (Correct answer)
It was issued within the last 10 years
It was issued in the United States
It includes the issuing agency's current address

Correct answer: It has not passed its expiration date

A document is currently valid for Florida notarization purposes if it has not yet reached its expiration date at the time of the notarial act.

Question 2: Florida notaries are required to keep which of the following updated at all times?

A list of all clients served
Their current mailing address on file with the Governor's office (Correct answer)
A copy of every document they notarize
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 3: Under Florida law, which government official has the authority to suspend or revoke a notary's commission?

The county sheriff
The Florida Supreme Court
The Governor of Florida (Correct answer)
The Florida Attorney General

Correct answer: The Governor of Florida

The Governor of Florida has the authority to suspend or revoke a notary's commission for misconduct, malfeasance, or failure to comply with notary laws.

Question 4: When did Florida authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

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

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 5: What must a Florida notary do if a signer appears confused or does not understand what they are signing?

Contact an attorney on the signer's behalf
Proceed and note it in the journal
Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
Explain the document's legal meaning

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization

A notary must refuse to notarize if the signer appears mentally incapacitated or does not understand the transaction, as this indicates lack of willingness or understanding.

Question 6: What action must a Florida notary take if asked to notarize a document in a language they do not understand?

Use an interpreter to translate the document
Refuse to notarize unless they can identify the type of document (Correct answer)
Notarize it if the signer explains the contents verbally
Proceed as long as acceptable identification is presented

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize unless they can identify the type of document

A notary may decline to notarize a document in an unfamiliar language if they cannot determine whether it is appropriate to notarize, though they can proceed if able to identify the document type and act.

Question 7: A signer presents an Indian tribal ID card for a Florida notarization. Is this acceptable identification?

Yes, if it is issued by a federally recognized tribe and contains required elements (Correct answer)
No, tribal IDs are not recognized under Florida law
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 8: Which element of a government-issued ID is most important in allowing a notary to verify the signer's identity visually?

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

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 9: Can a Florida notary certify a copy of a Florida birth certificate?

Yes, but only for state residents
Yes, if the original is presented
No, vital records must be certified by the issuing government agency (Correct answer)
No, unless the notary holds a special endorsement

Correct answer: No, vital records must be certified by the issuing government agency

Florida notaries cannot certify copies of vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificates — only the issuing government agency may provide certified copies.

Question 10: Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) used in Florida RON typically involves which of the following?

The notary calling the signer's references to verify identity
The signer answering questions about their personal history drawn from public and financial records (Correct answer)
The notary reviewing the signer's social media accounts
The signer submitting fingerprints to a federal database

Correct answer: The signer answering questions about their personal history drawn from public and financial records

KBA involves the signer answering dynamic quiz questions derived from public records (e.g., prior addresses, loan history) that only the true identity holder would likely answer correctly.

Question 11: A Notary Public may not give legal advice unless the notary public is a licensed attorney.

False
True (Correct answer)

Correct answer: True

A Notary Public's role is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to administer oaths. Giving legal advice constitutes the unauthorized practice of law, which is strictly prohibited unless the notary is also a licensed attorney. This rule protects the public from receiving incorrect or unqualified legal counsel.

Question 12: Which statement best describes a Florida notary's responsibility regarding document content?

The notary guarantees the document is legally enforceable
The notary must review and approve all document language
The notary certifies only the identity and signature of the signer, not the document's content (Correct answer)
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 13: 4 things on the notary seal stamp

no. there either needs to be something on the doc that tells you which one, or the signer needs to know.
the governor
the words "notary public-state of Florida"; notary's exact commissioned name; the notary's commission number; the notary's commission expiration date. (Correct answer)
FL DL - FL vehicle title - SS card - diploma - medical record - us passport - bill of sale - contract - lease - resident alien card - personal letter

Correct answer: the words "notary public-state of Florida"; notary's exact commissioned name; the notary's commission number; the notary's commission expiration date.

Florida Statute 117.05(3)(a) explicitly outlines the four required elements for a Florida notary seal stamp. These include the words 'notary public-state of Florida,' the notary's exact commissioned name, their commission number, and the commission expiration date. These details are crucial for verifying the notary's authority and the validity of the notarial act.

Question 14: When a Florida notary solemnizes a marriage, which document must the couple present?

A notarized consent form from both families
Two forms of government-issued ID each
A prenuptial agreement
A valid Florida marriage license (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A valid Florida marriage license

Before solemnizing a marriage, the notary must require the couple to present a valid Florida marriage license, as required by Florida law.

Question 15: What must a Florida notary do before changing their official name after marriage or legal name change?

Cease all notarial acts until a new commission is issued
Purchase a new seal immediately and begin using the new name
File a name change affidavit with the county clerk
Notify the Department of State and obtain a new commission under the new name, or continue under the original commission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notify the Department of State and obtain a new commission under the new name, or continue under the original commission

A Florida notary may continue acting under their original commission name or notify the Department of State to update their records; they must use the name on their current commission.

Question 16: Is a notary allowed to notarize a copy of a birth certificate or any vital or public record?

24 hours, 7 days a week, for 4 years until the expiry of their commission.
No (Correct answer)
Yes. Such cost is deemed to be an expense of the agency. See sections 116.35 and 116.36, Florida Statutes
No, unless they are a licensed attorney.

Correct answer: No

Florida law prohibits notaries from certifying copies of vital records, such as birth certificates, or any public record. These documents must be obtained as certified copies directly from the issuing government agency. This restriction helps prevent fraud and ensures the authenticity of official government documents.

Question 17: A Florida notary may perform which of the following outside the state of Florida?

Jurats and oaths only, with prior court approval
All Florida notarial acts as long as the notary's commission is active
Only acknowledgments if both parties consent
No notarial acts, as the notary's authority is limited to Florida (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No notarial acts, as the notary's authority is limited to Florida

A Florida notary's authority is limited to the geographic boundaries of the state of Florida; performing notarial acts outside Florida exceeds the notary's jurisdiction.

Question 18: What technology must a Florida RON notary use to communicate with the signer?

Two-way audio-visual communication in real time (Correct answer)
Telephone only
Email correspondence
Encrypted text messaging

Correct answer: Two-way audio-visual communication in real time

Florida RON requires the notary and signer to communicate via real-time two-way audio-visual technology so the notary can observe the signer throughout the notarial act.

Question 19: Which statement accurately describes a Florida RON notary's physical location requirement?

The notary may perform RON from any country
There is no location requirement for Florida RON notaries
The notary may be anywhere in the U.S. as long as they are commissioned in Florida
The notary must be physically located in Florida during the RON session (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary must be physically located in Florida during the RON session

Florida's RON law requires the notary to be physically present within the state of Florida when performing a remote online notarization.

Question 20: 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 21: A U.S. passport presented for a Florida notarization that expired 6 months ago — is it acceptable?

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

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 22: A signer whose ID will expire tomorrow presents it for notarization today. Should the Florida notary accept it?

Only if a second form of ID is also presented
No, IDs must be valid for at least 30 more days
Yes, the ID is currently valid at the time of the notarial act (Correct answer)
No, expiring IDs are treated the same as expired IDs

Correct answer: Yes, the ID is currently valid at the time of the notarial act

As long as the ID has not yet expired at the moment of the notarial act, it is considered currently valid and acceptable identification.

Question 23: What is the required bond amount that a Florida notary public must obtain before receiving their commission?

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

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.

Question 24: What is required of identification used for a Florida notarization?

It must be issued within the last 5 years
It must be accompanied by a second form of ID
It must include the signer's Social Security number
It must contain the signer's photo, signature, and serial number, and be issued by a government entity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It must contain the signer's photo, signature, and serial number, and be issued by a government entity

Florida requires acceptable ID to be government-issued and to contain the signer's photo, signature, and a serial number or other identifying number.

Question 25: Which of the following is NOT sufficient by itself as identification for a Florida notarization?

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

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 26: What does it mean when a Florida notary performs an 'affirmation' instead of an 'oath'?

The signer swears on a religious text
The signer solemnly promises truthfulness without invoking a deity (Correct answer)
The notary verifies the document with a witness present
The document is notarized without a signature

Correct answer: The signer solemnly promises truthfulness without invoking a deity

An affirmation is a legally equivalent alternative to an oath that does not reference a higher power, used when the signer objects to swearing for religious or personal reasons.

Question 27: Under Florida law, who owns the notary's journal?

The employer of the notary
The notary personally (Correct answer)
The Department of State
The client who requested the notarization

Correct answer: The notary personally

The notarial journal is the personal property of the notary, even if the notary's employer paid for it, because it is an official record of the notary's acts.

Question 28: 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 29: Which of the following notarial acts is unique to Florida among many U.S. states and is specifically authorized under Florida Statute 117.045?

Solemnizing marriages (Correct answer)
Witnessing the signing of a will
Certifying digital documents
Administering oaths to elected officials

Correct answer: Solemnizing marriages

Florida Statute 117.045 specifically authorizes Florida notaries to solemnize marriages, a power not granted to notaries in all U.S. states.

Question 30: Is a Florida notary required by law to keep a notarial journal?

No, a journal is optional but recommended (Correct answer)
Yes, all notarial acts must be recorded in a journal
Yes, but only for real estate transactions
Only notaries who perform RON are required to keep a journal

Correct answer: No, a journal is optional but recommended

Florida law does not require traditional notaries to keep a journal, though it is highly recommended as a best practice and is required for Remote Online Notarization (RON).

Question 31: Is the notary responsible for securing the notary seal against misuse?

Yes (Correct answer)
Still no.
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

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 32: If a notary certifies a copy of a document, the notary is certifying that:

The copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original (Correct answer)
The signer of the original document is who they claim to be
The document's contents are true and accurate
The document was created by a licensed attorney

Correct answer: The copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original

When certifying a copy, the notary is only attesting that the copy is an accurate reproduction of the original, not verifying the truth of the document's contents.

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

16 years old
25 years old
18 years old (Correct answer)
21 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: If a Florida notary makes an error in their paper journal, what is the correct way to correct it?

Tear out the page and rewrite the entry
Use correction fluid to cover the mistake
Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and write the correction (Correct answer)
Leave the error and add a note at the end of the journal

Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and write the correction

The proper correction method is to draw a single line through the error, initial the correction, and write the correct information so the original entry remains readable.

Question 35: 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 36: What is the maximum fee a Florida notary may charge for a single notarial act (as of the current statute)?

$50.00
$20.00
$10.00 (Correct answer)
$5.00

Correct answer: $10.00

Florida Statutes Section 117.05(2) sets the maximum notary fee at $10.00 per notarial act; charging more constitutes overcharging and is prohibited.

Question 37: Which of the following correctly describes the role of a Florida notary in performing a jurat?

Verify the document with the county recorder
Witness the document being drafted
Administer an oath and watch the signer sign (Correct answer)
Authenticate the signer's identity by fingerprint only

Correct answer: Administer an oath and watch the signer sign

For a jurat, the notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the signer and witness the signer physically sign the document in the notary's presence.

Question 38: Can a Florida State notary solemnize marriages in different states?

Those who make a false oath or affirmation is subject to charges of perjury.
No, the marriage has to be within the geographical bounds of the United States. (Correct answer)
For any notarial act outside of regular working hours and capacity of their employment. See sections 117.05(2), 117.045, and 28.24(29).
Yes. Florida law provides that certain law enforcement officers or correctional officers may act as notaries in some instances. These officers are limited in what they are authorized to do in fact, they may only administer oaths "when engaged in the performance of official duties." See §117.10, Florida Statutes. For example, if they are conducting an investigation, they may take sworn statements from witnesses. This law is applicable to the following officers: Law enforcement officers Correctional officers Correctional probation officers Traffic accident investigation officers Traffic infraction enforcement officers

Correct answer: No, the marriage has to be within the geographical bounds of the United States.

A Florida State notary's commission grants them authority only within the geographical boundaries of the State of Florida. Therefore, a Florida notary cannot solemnize marriages or perform any other notarial acts in different states. Their jurisdiction is strictly limited to the state in which they are commissioned.

Question 39: Which of the following could disqualify an individual from becoming a notary public in Florida?

Not owning property in Florida
Not being a member of the state bar association
Being a registered voter in another state
Having a felony conviction without civil rights restoration (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Having a felony conviction without civil rights restoration

Having a felony conviction without civil rights restoration is a disqualifying factor for becoming a Notary Public in Florida. Florida Statute 117.01(1)(a) requires applicants to be free of felony convictions or to have had their civil rights restored, ensuring that individuals holding this public trust meet certain legal and ethical standards.

Question 40: Under Florida law, can an employer-issued photo ID badge be used as acceptable identification for a notarization?

Yes, any photo ID is sufficient
No, acceptable ID must be issued by a government entity
Only if notarizing employment-related documents
Yes, if the employer is a government agency (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, if the employer is a government agency

Florida requires identification to be government-issued; a non-government employer ID badge does not qualify, but a badge from a government agency does.

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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35 min

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70%

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