New Jersey Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under New Jersey notary ethics, what is the notary's obligation if asked to notarize a document written entirely in a language the notary cannot read?
- Proceed if the signer certifies the document is legal
- Refuse unless a certified interpreter is present (Correct answer)
- Use discretion — notarizing foreign-language documents is always permissible
- Notarize only after having the document professionally translated
Correct answer: Refuse unless a certified interpreter is present
A notary may notarize a foreign-language document if the notary can communicate with the signer and verify identity and willingness. However, the notary must be able to complete the notarial certificate, which must be in English in NJ. Some notaries refuse foreign-language documents entirely to avoid risk.
Question 2: A New Jersey notary public is asked by their employer to notarize documents that benefit the employer's business, for which the notary has a personal financial interest. What is the ethical requirement?
- The notary may proceed if no fee is charged
- The notary must disclose the conflict and decline the notarization (Correct answer)
- The notary may proceed since employer instructions take priority
- The notary may proceed if the employer gives written permission
Correct answer: The notary must disclose the conflict and decline the notarization
A notary with a personal financial interest in a transaction should disclose the conflict and decline to notarize, as impartiality is a core ethical obligation.
Question 3: Which of the following ID types would NOT constitute satisfactory evidence of identity under New Jersey's Notary Public Act?
- A valid U.S. military ID card with photo
- A valid foreign passport with photo and serial number
- A valid state-issued photo ID card
- A recent utility bill with the signer's name and address (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A recent utility bill with the signer's name and address
A utility bill is not a government-issued photo ID and does not contain a photograph, physical description, or serial number. It does not meet NJ's requirements for satisfactory evidence of identity.
Question 4: A New Jersey notary public's journal entry should include which of the following for each notarial act?
- The fee charged and the notary's profit margin
- A copy of the document notarized
- The signer's social security number for identity verification
- The date and time of the act, type of act, document type, and identification method used (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The date and time of the act, type of act, document type, and identification method used
A proper journal entry includes the date and time of the notarial act, the type of act performed, a description of the document, and how the signer's identity was verified.
Question 5: When must a New Jersey notary renew their commission to maintain uninterrupted notarial authority?
- Within 30 days after expiration
- At least 6 months before expiration
- Before the expiration date of their current commission (Correct answer)
- Any time during the 5-year term
Correct answer: Before the expiration date of their current commission
To maintain uninterrupted notarial authority, the notary must renew their commission before the current commission's expiration date. Acting after expiration without renewal is unauthorized.
Question 6: When maintaining a physical (tangible) journal, New Jersey law specifies that it must be:
- A permanent, bound register with consecutively numbered pages. (Correct answer)
- Any type of ledger as long as entries are chronological.
- A spiral-bound notebook.
- A loose-leaf binder with lined paper.
Correct answer: A permanent, bound register with consecutively numbered pages.
For notaries who choose to maintain a physical journal, New Jersey law is specific: it must be a permanent, bound register with consecutively numbered lines and pages to ensure its integrity and prevent tampering.
Question 7: Under New Jersey law, a notary who has not yet filed their surety bond with the county clerk may:
- Not legally perform any notarial acts until the bond is properly filed (Correct answer)
- Begin performing notarizations immediately upon appointment
- Perform notarizations only for government agencies
- Perform notarizations but only with two witness signatures
Correct answer: Not legally perform any notarial acts until the bond is properly filed
Filing the surety bond with the county clerk is a prerequisite to lawfully exercising notarial powers; a notary who skips this step lacks authority to act.
Question 8: Which of the following is a disqualifier for becoming a Notary Public in New Jersey?
- Having a felony conviction (Correct answer)
- Having a previous notary commission
- Being a licensed attorney
- Being a public official
Correct answer: Having a felony conviction
Having a felony conviction is a significant disqualifier for becoming a Notary Public in New Jersey. The role of a notary requires a high degree of public trust and integrity, as they are tasked with preventing fraud and ensuring the legitimacy of documents. A felony conviction is seen as compromising the individual's ability to fulfill these responsibilities reliably.
Question 9: What must a claimant generally establish in order to make a successful claim against a New Jersey notary's surety bond?
- That the notary charged fees above the statutory maximum
- That the notary did not keep a journal
- That the notary's misconduct or negligence caused the claimant actual financial harm (Correct answer)
- That the notary failed to use an official seal
Correct answer: That the notary's misconduct or negligence caused the claimant actual financial harm
To recover from a surety bond, the claimant must demonstrate that the notary's improper act or negligence directly caused them a measurable financial loss.
Question 10: A New Jersey notary is preparing to perform a remote online notarization (RON) for a signer they do not personally know. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for identifying the remotely located individual?
- The signer must present one form of government-issued photo ID during the audio-visual session.
- A credible witness known to the notary must be physically present with the signer.
- The signer must answer a series of knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions.
- The use of at least two different types of identity proofing, such as KBA and biometric verification. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The use of at least two different types of identity proofing, such as KBA and biometric verification.
New Jersey law requires a robust identity verification process for remote notarizations when the notary does not have personal knowledge of the signer. The law specifies the use of at least two different types of identity proofing processes or services. Common methods include knowledge-based authentication (KBA), biometric identity verification, or a digital public key certificate. Simply presenting one ID is insufficient for a remote session.
Question 11: Which of the following persons is NOT eligible to apply for a New Jersey notary public commission?
- A resident of Pennsylvania who is employed full-time in NJ
- A 17-year-old part-time employee who lives in NJ (Correct answer)
- A 20-year-old college student residing in NJ
- A non-US citizen who works in NJ
Correct answer: A 17-year-old part-time employee who lives in NJ
The minimum age requirement for a NJ notary is 18. A 17-year-old does not meet this requirement and is ineligible regardless of residency or employment status.
Question 12: A New Jersey notary splits their notarial seal between two locations for convenience. This practice:
- Violates the requirement to secure the seal against unauthorized access (Correct answer)
- Is efficient and fully permitted under NJ law
- Is acceptable if both locations are secured
- Is permitted only for notaries with multiple employers
Correct answer: Violates the requirement to secure the seal against unauthorized access
The notary's official seal must be kept secure and accessible only to the notary. Splitting it between locations — meaning it may be left unattended — increases the risk of unauthorized use.
Question 13: When a New Jersey notary performs a notarial act, which of the following best describes the notary's responsibility regarding the content of the document?
- The notary certifies the document content is truthful
- The notary must review and approve the document's terms
- The notary has no responsibility for document content (Correct answer)
- The notary is fully responsible for document accuracy
Correct answer: The notary has no responsibility for document content
A notary is responsible only for the notarial act itself, not the content, accuracy, or truthfulness of the document's substance.
Question 14: In New Jersey, when performing electronic notarization, what additional record-keeping requirement applies compared to traditional notarization?
- The notary must maintain an electronic journal and an audio-visual recording of the session (Correct answer)
- Only paper journals are acceptable for electronic notarization records
- Electronic notarizations do not require any records to be kept
- Records must be filed with the state within 24 hours
Correct answer: The notary must maintain an electronic journal and an audio-visual recording of the session
For electronic and remote online notarizations in NJ, notaries must maintain an electronic journal of acts and retain audio-visual recordings of the remote notarization sessions.
Question 15: When a New Jersey notary administers an oral oath, what must the signer do?
- Respond verbally with 'I do' or 'I swear' to the notary's question (Correct answer)
- Provide a written sworn statement in addition to the oral response
- Record the oath on audio for verification purposes
- Sign the document only — no verbal response is needed
Correct answer: Respond verbally with 'I do' or 'I swear' to the notary's question
For an oral oath, the signer must make a verbal affirmative response to the notary's oath question. The act is not complete with a signature alone.
Question 16: Which behavior reflects proper ethical conduct for a New Jersey notary public?
- Treating all signers equally regardless of the document's content (Correct answer)
- Completing a notarial certificate before the signer appears
- Refusing to notarize based on personal disagreement with the document's purpose
- Notarizing a blank document to save the signer time
Correct answer: Treating all signers equally regardless of the document's content
Impartiality is a core ethical duty. A notary must treat all signers equally and may not discriminate or refuse based on personal disagreement with lawful document content.
Question 17: A New Jersey notary public's commission is issued by which authority?
- The New Jersey State Treasurer (Correct answer)
- The county clerk's office
- The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
- The New Jersey Supreme Court
Correct answer: The New Jersey State Treasurer
The New Jersey State Treasurer appoints and commissions notaries public in New Jersey under the Notary Public Act.
Question 18: A New Jersey notary who is disciplined by the State Treasurer may face which of the following penalties?
- Only fines with no possibility of commission suspension or revocation
- Transfer to a different county with restricted notary privileges
- Only a written warning for first offenses
- Suspension or revocation of their notary commission (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Suspension or revocation of their notary commission
The State Treasurer may suspend or revoke a notary's commission for misconduct, in addition to other penalties such as fines.
Question 19: Under New Jersey law, a document notarized via RON by a New Jersey notary is deemed to have been notarized in which state?
- Neither state — RON creates a federal jurisdiction
- The state of New Jersey, where the notary was located (Correct answer)
- The state where the signer was physically located
- The state where the document will be used or filed
Correct answer: The state of New Jersey, where the notary was located
Under NJ RON law, the notarial act is deemed to occur in New Jersey — where the notary is located — regardless of where the signer is physically present.
Question 20: A New Jersey notary's commission is automatically void if the notary:
- Moves out of New Jersey and is no longer employed in NJ (Correct answer)
- Changes their legal name without notifying the State Treasurer
- Is promoted to a management position at their employer
- Changes employers while still residing in NJ
Correct answer: Moves out of New Jersey and is no longer employed in NJ
A NJ notary commission requires the notary to reside or be employed in NJ. If the notary moves out of NJ and is no longer employed in NJ, they no longer meet the eligibility requirement and the commission becomes void.
Question 21: Which scenario best illustrates a notary public in New Jersey maintaining proper ethical impartiality?
- Notarizing documents for a long-time client without requiring current identification
- Waiving the identification requirement for a well-known community figure
- Performing the notarial act for a signer whose politics the notary disagrees with (Correct answer)
- Refusing to notarize a will because the notary believes the testator is making poor choices
Correct answer: Performing the notarial act for a signer whose politics the notary disagrees with
Impartiality means performing notarial acts for all eligible signers regardless of personal beliefs, politics, or disagreements — as long as legal requirements are met.
Question 22: What should a New Jersey Notary Public do if a signer does not have acceptable identification?
- Perform the notarial act without identification
- Accept a verbal assurance from a witness
- Use their personal knowledge of the signer
- Refuse to perform the notarial act (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarial act
A New Jersey Notary Public must refuse to perform a notarial act if the signer does not present acceptable identification. Verifying the signer's identity through reliable, government-issued photo ID is a fundamental duty to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of the notarization. Without satisfactory evidence of identity, the notary cannot proceed.
Question 23: Under New Jersey law, can a notary administer an oath to themselves?
- Yes, but only if witnessed by another notary
- Yes, for notarial acts involving their own business
- Yes, if they are also the document's signer
- No, a notary cannot administer an oath to themselves (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No, a notary cannot administer an oath to themselves
A notary cannot notarize their own signature or administer an oath to themselves. This would be a conflict of interest and is prohibited.
Question 24: Under New Jersey law, may an employer require an employed notary to provide free notarization services to the employer's customers as part of their job duties?
- Only if the notary also receives tips from clients
- Yes, an employer may require an employed notary to notarize without charging clients (Correct answer)
- No, an employer cannot restrict a notary's right to charge fees
- Only if the notary's base salary exceeds $50,000 per year
Correct answer: Yes, an employer may require an employed notary to notarize without charging clients
An employer may require an employed notary to provide notarization services without charging clients as a condition of employment. This is a common arrangement in banks and real estate offices.
Question 25: What is required for a New Jersey Notary Public to maintain their commission?
- Being of good moral character (Correct answer)
- Passing a written exam annually
- Maintaining a certain number of notarizations each year
- Completing continuing education courses
Correct answer: Being of good moral character
A fundamental requirement for both obtaining and maintaining a Notary Public commission in New Jersey is possessing good moral character. This criterion ensures that the individual can be trusted to perform their duties impartially, honestly, and with integrity, upholding the public trust associated with the office. It's a continuous expectation throughout their commission.
Question 26: When a New Jersey document is to be used in a foreign country, the notarial certificate may need:
- A second notary's signature
- Translation into the foreign language by the notary
- Approval from the county clerk
- An apostille or authentication from the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An apostille or authentication from the Secretary of State
Documents for use abroad often require an apostille or authentication issued by the New Jersey Secretary of State to be recognized internationally.
Question 27: A new New Jersey notary has just received their commission certificate. What should they do before performing any notarial acts?
- Wait 30 days for the commission to activate
- Complete a mandatory 8-hour training course
- File their signature with every county clerk in the state
- Obtain an official notarial seal and ensure their surety bond is filed (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Obtain an official notarial seal and ensure their surety bond is filed
Before performing notarial acts, the new notary must obtain their official seal/stamp and confirm their surety bond has been properly filed with the State Treasurer.
Question 28: What should a New Jersey Notary Public do with their journal upon resignation or expiration of their commission?
- Destroy the journal
- Turn it over to the county clerk's office (Correct answer)
- Keep it as a personal record
- Return it to the state notary commission office
Correct answer: Turn it over to the county clerk's office
Upon resignation or expiration of their commission, a New Jersey Notary Public is legally required to turn over their journal to the county clerk's office in the county where they were commissioned. This ensures that a permanent, official record of all notarial acts remains accessible for public record and accountability. Destroying or keeping the journal is not permitted.
Question 29: Under New Jersey law, a notary public who suspects a signer is using a stolen or fraudulent identity document should:
- Ask the signer to explain the discrepancy in writing
- Confiscate the document until authorities can be notified
- Decline to perform the notarial act and consider reporting to law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Perform the notarization quickly before the signer leaves
Correct answer: Decline to perform the notarial act and consider reporting to law enforcement
If the notary suspects fraud or identity theft, they must decline the notarial act. They may also consider reporting their suspicions to law enforcement.
Question 30: Under New Jersey law, what is a 'protest' as a notarial act, and which type of document typically involves this act?
- A formal certificate documenting the dishonor of a negotiable instrument such as a check or promissory note (Correct answer)
- A formal objection to a document's legality, used for real estate deeds
- A certification of the signer's identity for immigration documents
- A notarial act unique to domestic partnership registrations
Correct answer: A formal certificate documenting the dishonor of a negotiable instrument such as a check or promissory note
In New Jersey, a protest is a notarial act used to formally document the dishonor (non-payment or non-acceptance) of a negotiable instrument such as a check, bill of exchange, or promissory note.
Question 31: A signer comes before a New Jersey notary for a jurat and expresses a conscientious objection to taking an oath that references a deity. How should the notary legally proceed?
- Advise the signer to seek legal counsel on how to execute the document.
- Administer an affirmation, which has the same legal weight as an oath. (Correct answer)
- Require the signer to sign a waiver before notarizing without a verbal ceremony.
- Refuse to perform the notarial act since an oath is mandatory for a jurat.
Correct answer: Administer an affirmation, which has the same legal weight as an oath.
New Jersey law explicitly allows for an affirmation to be used in place of an oath for individuals who have conscientious objections. An affirmation is a solemn declaration made on personal honor and carries the same legal effect as an oath.
Question 32: Which of the following must be included in the notarial certificate for an act performed using communication technology in New Jersey?
- The IP addresses of both the notary and the signer.
- A statement indicating the notarial act was performed using communication technology. (Correct answer)
- The name of the specific audio-visual technology provider used.
- The physical address of the remotely located individual.
Correct answer: A statement indicating the notarial act was performed using communication technology.
When a notarial act is performed remotely, the certificate must explicitly state that fact. The law requires the certificate to include a statement indicating that the notarial act was performed using communication technology. While the notary's journal would contain more detailed information, this specific statement is required on the notarial certificate itself.
Question 33: Under New Jersey law, which of the following must appear on a notarial certificate to make it valid?
- The notary's social security number
- The document filing number assigned by the county
- The notary's home address
- The notary's name, commission expiration date, and signature (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The notary's name, commission expiration date, and signature
A valid NJ notarial certificate must include the notary's name as commissioned, their commission expiration date, and their official signature (along with their seal/stamp).
Question 34: A New Jersey notary uses an inked rubber stamp as their official seal. The stamp impression is blurry and illegible on the notarial certificate. What should the notary do?
- Leave it since any visible impression is sufficient
- Have the entire document re-signed and re-notarized
- Add a written explanation next to the blurry stamp
- Re-stamp legibly over the blurry impression (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Re-stamp legibly over the blurry impression
The seal must produce a legible, reproducible impression. If the stamp impression is blurry, the notary should re-stamp in a clear area of the certificate to produce a legible impression.
Question 35: Which of the following best describes a 'verification on oath or affirmation' as performed by a New Jersey notary?
- The notary reviews the document for legal errors before administering the oath
- The notary files the sworn document with the appropriate court
- The notary verifies the accuracy of the document's statements personally
- The notary confirms the signer's identity and witnesses the signer swear to the truth of the document's contents (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The notary confirms the signer's identity and witnesses the signer swear to the truth of the document's contents
A verification on oath means the notary verifies the signer's identity and witnesses them swear or affirm that the document's contents are true — the notary does not verify the content's accuracy personally.
Question 36: When administering an oath for an affidavit, what is the primary purpose of the verbal ceremony conducted by the New Jersey notary?
- To witness the signer's signature on the document.
- To compel truthfulness from the signer regarding the document's contents. (Correct answer)
- To confirm the signer understands the legal consequences of the document.
- To verify the signer's identity using satisfactory evidence.
Correct answer: To compel truthfulness from the signer regarding the document's contents.
The fundamental purpose of administering an oath or affirmation is to compel truthfulness. The ceremony is designed to impress upon the signer the seriousness of their declaration and that they are making the statement under the pains and penalties of perjury.
Question 37: A signer presents a valid New Jersey Driver's License as identification. The photo on the license is from ten years ago and the signer's appearance has changed significantly. How should the notary proceed?
- Ask the signer to provide an additional form of identification to support the primary ID. (Correct answer)
- Notarize the document but make a note in the journal about the discrepancy.
- Accept the ID without question as long as it is not expired.
- Reject the ID and refuse the notarization immediately.
Correct answer: Ask the signer to provide an additional form of identification to support the primary ID.
While the ID is valid, the notary has a duty to be satisfied with the identity of the signer. If the photo is not a reasonable likeness, the notary can and should request additional information or identification credentials to be certain of the individual's identity before proceeding with the notarial act.
Question 38: For a New Jersey signature witnessing performed for a principal who cannot write, the notary may:
- Accept a mark (X) as the signature if the notary documents it (Correct answer)
- Refuse the act entirely
- Sign on the principal's behalf with their permission
- Require a guardian's written consent
Correct answer: Accept a mark (X) as the signature if the notary documents it
A notary may accept a mark or X as a signature for someone unable to write, provided the notary notes this in the journal and on the certificate.
Question 39: A NJ signer has lost their photo ID and offers only a credit card and library card. What should the notary consider?
- Accept both cards together since two forms of ID suffice
- Reschedule only after the signer obtains a government-issued photo ID
- Consider whether a credible witness who personally knows the signer is available (Correct answer)
- Accept the credit card as a financial institution document
Correct answer: Consider whether a credible witness who personally knows the signer is available
When a signer lacks government-issued photo ID, the notary may use a credible witness who personally knows the signer as an NJ-authorized alternative method of identity verification.
Question 40: When a credible witness is used to identify a signer, what information regarding the witness must the New Jersey notary record in their journal?
- The witness's occupation and employer.
- The witness's date of birth and Social Security Number.
- The witness's signature, printed name, and address. (Correct answer)
- The witness's relationship to the signer.
Correct answer: The witness's signature, printed name, and address.
The New Jersey Notary Public Manual requires that for each notarial act, the journal entry must include the signature, printed name, and address of each signer, and if applicable, each witness. This creates a clear and complete record of who identified the signer.
Question 41: A New Jersey notary who advertises notary services using the term 'notario publico' without a disclaimer is:
- Violating state law by creating a misleading impression (Correct answer)
- Required to do so if serving a Hispanic clientele
- Permitted to do so in Spanish-speaking communities
- Complying with state bilingual requirements
Correct answer: Violating state law by creating a misleading impression
In many Spanish-speaking countries 'notario publico' implies a legal professional equivalent to an attorney. New Jersey law prohibits using this term without a disclaimer clarifying the limited scope of a US notary's role.
Question 42: Unauthorized practice of law by a New Jersey notary includes all of the following EXCEPT:
- Advising a signer on which type of deed to use
- Explaining the legal consequences of a contract the signer is about to sign
- Preparing legal documents for signers for a fee
- Administering an oath to a witness (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Administering an oath to a witness
Administering an oath is an authorized notarial act in NJ, not the practice of law. The other options are examples of unauthorized legal practice.
Question 43: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in New Jersey?
- 25 years old
- 21 years old
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 16 years old
Correct answer: 18 years old
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for a New Jersey notary public commission.
Question 44: Which of the following is NOT a requirement listed in the New Jersey Notary Public Act for obtaining a commission?
- Be a NJ resident or employed in NJ
- Pass a state-administered notary examination (Correct answer)
- Be at least 18 years old
- Obtain a $15,000 surety bond
Correct answer: Pass a state-administered notary examination
New Jersey does not require applicants to pass a notary examination to receive a commission. The other options — age, bond, and residency/employment — are statutory requirements.
Question 45: When completing a notarial certificate in New Jersey, what must the notary NOT do?
- Identify the type of notarial act performed
- Complete the certificate before the signer appears (Correct answer)
- Sign and date the certificate
- Affix their official seal
Correct answer: Complete the certificate before the signer appears
A notary must never complete a notarial certificate before the signer appears. The certificate can only be completed after the notarial act is actually performed in the signer's presence.
Question 46: A notary's official stamp is lost or stolen. What is the required procedure according to New Jersey regulations?
- Report the loss to the local police department within 24 hours.
- Publish a notice in a local newspaper for three consecutive days.
- Immediately cease all notarial acts until a new commission is issued.
- Notify the State Treasurer via the DORES website within 10 days. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Notify the State Treasurer via the DORES website within 10 days.
If a notary's stamping device is lost or stolen, New Jersey law requires the notary to notify the State Treasurer's office through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) website within 10 days of discovering the loss or theft.
Question 47: Is it mandatory for New Jersey Notary Publics to keep a journal of their notarial acts?
- Only for certain types of documents
- Only if the notary charges a fee
- No, it is optional
- Yes, it is mandatory (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Yes, it is mandatory
In New Jersey, it is mandatory for all Notary Publics to keep a journal of their notarial acts. This requirement, established by state law, ensures a detailed record of every notarization performed. The journal serves as a vital tool for accountability, fraud prevention, and provides a clear audit trail for official inquiries.
Question 48: In New Jersey, an acknowledgment certifies that the signer:
- Was identified solely by a notary's personal knowledge
- Swore the contents of the document are true
- Had their signature witnessed by two people
- Appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged that they signed the document voluntarily.
Question 49: What recourse does a New Jersey consumer have if a notary charges them more than the maximum allowable fee?
- They may file a complaint with the State Treasurer's office (Correct answer)
- They must resolve the dispute through a mandatory arbitration process
- None — fee disputes are solely between the notary and client
- They may only sue in small claims court
Correct answer: They may file a complaint with the State Treasurer's office
A consumer who has been overcharged by a NJ notary may file a complaint with the State Treasurer's office, which oversees notary commissions and can investigate and discipline the notary.
Question 50: A New Jersey notary notarizes 5 separate signatures on a document at one appointment. What is the maximum total fee the notary may charge?
- $12.50 total ($2.50 per act × 5 acts) (Correct answer)
- $25.00 as a reasonable professional fee
- $2.50 total for the entire appointment
- $5.00 total regardless of the number of acts
Correct answer: $12.50 total ($2.50 per act × 5 acts)
The maximum fee applies per notarial act. If 5 separate notarial acts are performed, the notary may charge up to $2.50 per act, for a maximum of $12.50 total.
Question 51: A New Jersey notary must include what information in the notarial certificate to show their commission is current?
- Their commission number and issue date
- Their Social Security number
- The name of their surety bond company
- Their commission expiration date (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Their commission expiration date
The notary's commission expiration date must appear in the certificate to demonstrate the commission was valid at the time of the act.
Question 52: Under New Jersey law, is a notary public required to charge a fee for every notarial act performed?
- Yes, charging a fee is mandatory to maintain professional standards
- No, but they must receive at least $1.00 per act by statute
- Yes, but only for government-related documents
- No, notaries may waive or reduce fees at their discretion (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No, notaries may waive or reduce fees at their discretion
New Jersey law sets a maximum fee but does not require notaries to charge any fee. Notaries may provide services for free or at any amount up to the maximum.
Question 53: Which of the following actions is a required duty of a New Jersey notary when completing a jurat?
- Verify the document was prepared by an attorney
- Verify the document was signed in the notary's home county
- Record the document in the county land records
- Administer an oath or affirmation to the signer (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Administer an oath or affirmation to the signer
A jurat requires the notary to administer an oath or affirmation to the signer, who swears or affirms the truth of the document's contents.
New Jersey Notary Public Exam
The New Jersey Notary Public Exam tests applicants on NJ notary laws, notarial acts, identification requirements, recordkeeping, fees, ethical conduct, and electronic notarization as required by the NJ Department of the Treasury.
Exam Rules
- You can skip questions and return to them later
- Flag questions for review before submitting
- No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
- Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
- 10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
- Timer auto-submits when time runs out
- Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds