IN NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A signer presents a valid tribal identification card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe. Is this acceptable identification in Indiana? → Yes, if it contains a photo and signature and is current or expired no more than 3 years
2. What is the primary duty of an Indiana notary public when performing a notarization? → To verify the identity of the signer and witness the signing of the document
3. Who appoints Indiana notary publics? → The Governor
4. What administrative consequences can the Indiana Secretary of State impose on a notary who has violated notary laws? → Reprimand, suspension, or revocation of the notary commission
5. Which of the following actions would most likely result in disciplinary action or revocation of an Indiana notary's commission? → Notarizing a document without the signer's personal appearance
6. A signer requests that the notary not record the notarial act in the journal to protect their privacy. What must the notary do? → Refuse to honor the request and make the journal entry as required by law
7. An Indiana notary notices that a document appears to have been altered after it was originally signed. What is the proper course of action? → Refuse to notarize and suggest the signer obtain a clean copy
8. What should an Indiana notary do if the document they are notarizing does not have a pre-printed notarial certificate? → Write in or attach a separate notarial certificate containing all required elements
9. May an Indiana notary use their regular physical notary seal to notarize an electronic document? → No, electronic documents require an electronic notarial seal that can be applied digitally
10. Is an Indiana notary required to keep their commission certificate at their place of business? → No, but they must be able to produce evidence of their commission if requested
11. How long must an Indiana notary retain the audio-visual recording of a Remote Online Notarization session? → 10 years
12. Can multiple claims be filed against a single Indiana notary's surety bond? → Yes, but total payouts cannot exceed the bond amount
13. Which of the following items is typically found ON an apostille certificate? → The country of origin, notary's name, seal confirmation, and competent authority signature
14. What is an Indiana notary's primary ethical obligation? → To act as an impartial witness and protect the integrity of the notarial process
15. What is 'venue' in the context of a notarial certificate in Indiana? → The state and county where the notarial act was performed
16. Under IC 33-42, what must an Indiana notary do before performing ANY notarial act? → Verify the identity of the person appearing before them
17. Who is protected by an Indiana notary's surety bond? → The general public who may be harmed by the notary's misconduct
18. An Indiana notary may certify a copy of which type of document? → A privately executed power of attorney
19. Can an Indiana notary public personally issue or grant an apostille to a document? → No, only the Indiana Secretary of State has authority to issue apostilles
20. What is the appropriate response of an Indiana notary when they cannot communicate with a signer due to a language barrier? → Refuse the notarization unless a qualified interpreter is present
21. If an Indiana notary is subpoenaed to produce their journal for a court proceeding, can they refuse? → No, the notary must comply with a valid subpoena
22. What could happen to an Indiana notary who knowingly notarizes a fraudulent document? → Criminal prosecution and revocation of the notary commission
23. Which of the following behaviors by a signer would most strongly suggest to an Indiana notary that the signer lacks capacity? → The signer cannot identify what type of document they are signing or what it does
24. Before a document can receive an apostille in Indiana, what prerequisite step must be completed? → The document must be properly notarized by an Indiana notary
25. Where can Indiana residents typically submit their apostille requests? → The Indiana Secretary of State's office, in person or by mail
26. What does 'signer capacity' mean in the context of Indiana notarial practice? → The legal and mental ability of a person to understand and execute a document
27. For which type of destination would a document require an apostille rather than full diplomatic authentication? → A member country of the Hague Apostille Convention
28. How should an Indiana notary handle a request to notarize a document that has already been signed but the signer is not present? → Refuse because the signer must personally appear before the notary
29. An Indiana notary's commission expires but they have not yet renewed. Can they continue performing notarial acts? → No, they must immediately stop all notarial acts upon expiration
30. An Indiana notary notices that a signer appears to be under duress or coercion. What is the notary's obligation? → Refuse to notarize and, if appropriate, notify law enforcement