Maryland Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following would DISQUALIFY an applicant from receiving a Maryland notary commission?

Working part-time rather than full-time
A felony conviction that has not been pardoned (Correct answer)
Being a non-attorney
Living in a county with few notaries

Correct answer: A felony conviction that has not been pardoned

A felony conviction is disqualifying unless the applicant has received a full pardon, as it reflects on the applicant's honesty and integrity.

Question 2: A Maryland notary performs an electronic notarization. What replaces the physical seal?

An electronic image or seal attached to the electronic document (Correct answer)
A scanned image of the physical seal
No seal is required for electronic notarizations
The notary's typed name alone

Correct answer: An electronic image or seal attached to the electronic document

For electronic notarizations, Maryland requires an electronic seal that is attached to or logically associated with the electronic record.

Question 3: In the context of Remote Online Notarization, what is knowledge-based authentication (KBA)?

The notary's personal knowledge of the signer from prior meetings
A test of the signer's knowledge about the document being notarized
A dynamic questionnaire using public records data to verify the signer's identity (Correct answer)
Verification of the signer's professional licenses or certifications

Correct answer: A dynamic questionnaire using public records data to verify the signer's identity

KBA is a dynamic questionnaire based on the signer's personal history and public records, designed to verify identity remotely by asking questions only the true person could answer.

Question 4: In what shape must a Maryland notary's official stamp or seal be?

Oval only
Circular only
Rectangular only
Any shape that clearly reproduces legibly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Any shape that clearly reproduces legibly

Maryland law does not restrict the shape of the notary seal; any shape that produces a legible impression is acceptable.

Question 5: Throughout which geographic area is a Maryland notary commission valid?

Only within the jurisdiction where their employer is located
The entire state of Maryland (Correct answer)
Any jurisdiction that recognizes Maryland commissions by reciprocity
Only the county where the notary resides

Correct answer: The entire state of Maryland

A Maryland notary commission is valid throughout the entire state, regardless of the county in which the notary lives or works.

Question 6: Which Maryland code governs notarial acts in the state?

The Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article
The Maryland Real Property Article
The Maryland Notarial Acts Act (Maryland Code, State Government Article, §§ 18-101 et seq.) (Correct answer)
The Maryland Business and Occupations Article

Correct answer: The Maryland Notarial Acts Act (Maryland Code, State Government Article, §§ 18-101 et seq.)

Maryland's notary law is codified in the State Government Article, Title 18, which governs all notarial acts.

Question 7: Which state agency sets the maximum notarial fee schedule in Maryland?

The Maryland General Assembly through statute (Correct answer)
The Secretary of State's office
The Maryland Bar Association
The Governor's office

Correct answer: The Maryland General Assembly through statute

Notarial fee limits are established by the Maryland General Assembly in the Notarial Acts statute.

Question 8: When did Maryland's Remote Online Notarization law take effect?

March 15, 2020
July 1, 2021
January 1, 2020
October 1, 2020 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: October 1, 2020

Maryland's RON law became effective October 1, 2020, permitting notaries to use audio-visual communication technology for notarial acts.

Question 9: Can a signer be located outside of Maryland during a Remote Online Notarization performed by a Maryland notary?

Yes, the signer may be located anywhere (Correct answer)
No, both parties must be physically in Maryland
Only if the signer is a Maryland resident
Only if the signer is in a neighboring state

Correct answer: Yes, the signer may be located anywhere

During a RON the Maryland notary must be in Maryland, but the signer may be located anywhere — in another state or even another country.

Question 10: May a Maryland notary charge a travel fee in addition to the statutory notarial act fee?

Only if the distance exceeds 25 miles
Yes, if both parties agree in advance (Correct answer)
No, travel fees are strictly prohibited
Yes, automatically without prior agreement

Correct answer: Yes, if both parties agree in advance

Maryland law permits a notary to charge a travel fee in addition to the notarial fee, provided the signer agrees beforehand.

Question 11: Under Maryland law, what happens if a notary performs a notarial act with a conflict of interest (e.g., notarizing their own signature)?

The notarial act is void only if the opposing party objects
There is no prohibition against notarizing one's own signature in Maryland
The notarial act is valid as long as the notary discloses the conflict
The notarial act is voidable and the notary may face disciplinary action (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notarial act is voidable and the notary may face disciplinary action

Maryland prohibits a notary from notarizing their own signature; doing so renders the act improper and exposes the notary to disciplinary sanctions.

Question 12: When may a Maryland notary certify a copy of a vital record such as a birth certificate?

When requested by a court
When the original is presented and the notary compares them
Only if the custodian cannot provide a certified copy within 30 days
A Maryland notary may NOT certify copies of vital records; these must come from the official custodian (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A Maryland notary may NOT certify copies of vital records; these must come from the official custodian

Vital records are official records whose certified copies must come from the designated government custodian; notaries cannot certify them.

Question 13: What type of continuing education might Maryland notaries receive from their associations?

Updates on state laws and regulations
Both a and b (Correct answer)
Advanced notarial techniques
Customer service training

Correct answer: Both a and b

Maryland notary associations typically provide comprehensive continuing education that includes updates on state laws and regulations, ensuring notaries remain compliant. Additionally, they often offer training on advanced notarial techniques, helping notaries handle complex situations and enhance their professional skills. Therefore, both updates on laws and advanced techniques are common offerings.

Question 14: Which of the following describes the 'copy certification by document custodian' process in Maryland?

A notary witnesses a person swear that a copy of a document they hold is a true and complete copy (Correct answer)
A notary stamps a copy and affirms it is certified without a signer oath
A notary certifies that an official record is authentic
A notary independently compares the copy to the original and certifies accuracy

Correct answer: A notary witnesses a person swear that a copy of a document they hold is a true and complete copy

In copy certification by document custodian, the notary notarizes the custodian's sworn statement that their copy is accurate, rather than the notary comparing the documents.

Question 15: A Maryland notary is asked to perform a notarial act via telephone (audio only, no video). Is this permitted?

Yes, if both parties confirm their identities verbally
Only for affirmations, not acknowledgments
No, Maryland law requires either physical presence or a two-way audio-visual connection for RON (Correct answer)
Yes, telephone notarization is an alternative to in-person notarization

Correct answer: No, Maryland law requires either physical presence or a two-way audio-visual connection for RON

Maryland requires either in-person physical presence or a compliant audio-visual (RON) system; audio-only telephone notarization is not authorized.

Question 16: A Maryland notary's commission expires. What happens to the notary's journal records?

The journal must be submitted to the Secretary of State immediately
The journal may be destroyed after 1 year
The journal becomes the property of the notary's employer
The notary must continue to safeguard the journal per retention requirements (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary must continue to safeguard the journal per retention requirements

Even after commission expiration, the notary remains responsible for maintaining and safeguarding journal records for the required retention period.

Question 17: Which element is required on every journal entry made by a Maryland electronic notary?

The notary's commission number
The document's filing number
The type of notarial act performed (Correct answer)
The signer's Social Security number

Correct answer: The type of notarial act performed

Each journal entry must identify the type of notarial act (e.g., acknowledgment, jurat) performed during the transaction.

Question 18: How can Maryland notaries find local networking opportunities through associations?

All of the above (Correct answer)
By joining online forums
By subscribing to newsletters
By attending association meetings and events

Correct answer: All of the above

Maryland notary associations offer multiple avenues for local networking among their members. Attending association meetings and events provides direct interaction with peers and experts, fostering professional relationships. Joining online forums facilitates virtual connections and discussions, while subscribing to newsletters keeps members informed about upcoming opportunities and relevant news, making all these methods effective.

Question 19: Maryland law requires that a notary's electronic seal be attached to or logically associated with the electronic record. What does 'logically associated' mean in this context?

The seal is referenced in the document's metadata only
The seal is stored in the same folder as the document
The seal is linked to the document so it cannot be removed and reattached to a different document (Correct answer)
The seal appears on a separate page within the same file

Correct answer: The seal is linked to the document so it cannot be removed and reattached to a different document

'Logically associated' means the electronic seal is bound to the record in a way that any tampering or detachment would be detectable.

Question 20: Maryland's Notarial Acts Act was substantially revised to align with which uniform law?

The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) (Correct answer)
The Uniform Probate Code (UPC)
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA)
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

Correct answer: The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA)

Maryland adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), modernizing its notary statutes to align with the national standard.

Maryland Notary Public Exam

The Maryland Notary Public exam tests an applicant's knowledge of Maryland notary laws, notarial acts, ethical responsibilities, and proper procedures required to become a commissioned notary public in Maryland.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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