Notary Public Exam Basic 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a valid form of identification for a notarial transaction?
- State-issued driver's license
- U.S. passport
- Expired government ID from two years ago (Correct answer)
- Military ID card
Correct answer: Expired government ID from two years ago
An expired ID is generally not acceptable for notarial purposes because it cannot reliably verify current identity.
Question 2: A notary who charges more than the maximum fee allowed by state law is guilty of:
- A civil infraction only
- Overcharging, which may result in disciplinary action or commission revocation (Correct answer)
- No offense if the client agreed to pay
- A federal crime
Correct answer: Overcharging, which may result in disciplinary action or commission revocation
Charging fees above state-mandated maximums is a violation that can result in disciplinary action, fines, or revocation of the notary's commission.
Question 3: What does it mean to 'certify a copy' as a notarial act?
- To translate a document into another language
- To notarize that a photocopy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original (Correct answer)
- To guarantee the legal validity of a document
- To verify that a document was signed voluntarily
Correct answer: To notarize that a photocopy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original
Certifying a copy means the notary compares the copy to the original and certifies it is a true and accurate reproduction.
Question 4: When does a notary public commission typically expire?
- After every notarization
- According to the term set by the state, usually 4 years (Correct answer)
- After the notary moves to a new county
- Only when the notary voluntarily resigns
Correct answer: According to the term set by the state, usually 4 years
Most states set a fixed term for notary commissions, commonly four years, after which the notary must renew to continue practicing.
Question 5: What should a notary do if they make an error in the notarial certificate?
- Use correction fluid to fix it
- Cross out the error with a single line, initial it, and correct it (Correct answer)
- Destroy the document and start over
- Leave it as is to avoid drawing attention
Correct answer: Cross out the error with a single line, initial it, and correct it
Errors in a notarial certificate should be corrected by lining through the mistake, initialing, and making the correction — correction fluid should never be used.
Question 6: Under what circumstance may a notary perform a notarial act via telephone?
- Whenever both parties agree
- Generally never, because the signer must appear in person or via approved remote online notarization (Correct answer)
- When the document is under $500 in value
- When a witness confirms the signer's identity over the phone
Correct answer: Generally never, because the signer must appear in person or via approved remote online notarization
Traditional notarization requires physical or approved remote online presence; a notary cannot perform acts based solely on a telephone call.
Question 7: Which act requires the signer to personally swear or affirm to the notary that they will tell the truth?
- Acknowledgment
- Copy certification
- Oath or affirmation (Correct answer)
- Apostille
Correct answer: Oath or affirmation
An oath or affirmation is a notarial act where the signer pledges to tell the truth, invoking either a religious oath or a secular affirmation.
Notary Public Exam Basic 3
Which of the following is NOT a valid form of identification for a notarial transaction?