MN NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What information is required on a Minnesota notary's official stamp or seal? → Notary's name, 'State of Minnesota,' and commission expiration date
2. A signer in Minnesota presents a tribal identification card. Is this acceptable for identity verification? → Yes, a government-issued tribal ID card with a photo is generally acceptable
3. Can a Minnesota notary public notarize a document for a family member? → Yes, as long as there is no conflict of interest
4. In Minnesota, what shape must the official notary stamp be? → Rectangular or circular
5. Which of the following is a notarial act authorized under Minnesota law? → Taking an acknowledgment
6. When should a notary public in Minnesota refuse to notarize a document? → When the signer does not have a valid ID
7. In Minnesota, what is the consequence of a notary performing a notarial act with a disqualifying interest in the transaction? → The notarial act may be voidable and the notary may face disciplinary action
8. Under Minnesota's RON statute, where may the signer be physically located during a remote online notarization? → Anywhere in the world
9. In Minnesota, who is authorized to perform notarial acts for members of the armed forces? → Military notaries designated under federal law
10. What is the significance of the notarial certificate on a notarized document in Minnesota? → It documents the specific notarial act performed and the notary's credentials
11. What should a Minnesota notary do if they move to a different county within Minnesota? → Notify the Secretary of State of the new address; the commission remains valid statewide
12. Can a Minnesota notary public keep their journal electronically? → Yes, as long as it meets legal requirements
13. If a notarial certificate is in a language other than English in Minnesota, what must occur? → A certified translation must accompany the document
14. What should a notary public do if their notarial journal is lost or stolen? → Report the loss to the Secretary of State and local law enforcement
15. Which identity verification method for RON requires a signer to correctly answer dynamic questions drawn from their personal history in public records? → Knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
16. What must an applicant submit when applying for a Minnesota notary commission? → A completed application and the required filing fee submitted to the Secretary of State
17. Under Minnesota law, what must a notary public do before performing remote online notarizations for the first time? → Register as an electronic notary with the Minnesota Secretary of State
18. What is the term length of a Minnesota notary commission? → Five years
19. What is the maximum fee a Minnesota notary may charge per notarial act? → $5 per notarial act as set by Minnesota statute
20. What color ink should a Minnesota notary use for their official stamp? → Any color that produces a legible, photographically reproducible image
21. A Minnesota notary knowingly notarizes a document for a person using a false identity. This constitutes: → Official misconduct and potentially criminal conduct
22. When must a Minnesota notary affix their official stamp on a notarial certificate? → At the time the notarial act is performed
23. What should a notary public in Minnesota include in their journal entry if the notarial act involves a witness signature? → The witness’s name and signature
24. What should a notary public in Minnesota do if they are presented with a document that is incomplete? → Refuse to notarize the document until it is completed
25. If a notary public in Minnesota realizes they have notarized a document that contains false information, what should they do? → Report the incident to the Secretary of State and take corrective action
26. What is the notary's personal liability exposure for a negligently performed notarial act in Minnesota? → The notary may be personally liable for damages caused by their negligent notarization
27. Which of the following best describes a 'subscribing witness' notarial act? → A witness signs the document and swears before the notary that the principal signed it
28. What is the primary role of a notary public in Minnesota? → To witness signatures and administer oaths
29. Does Minnesota require notary applicants to complete a training course before receiving a commission? → No, Minnesota does not mandate pre-commission training
30. Under Minnesota law, a notary who charges more than the statutory maximum fee may face which consequence? → Disciplinary action including possible commission revocation