Notary Public Exam Study Guide 2026

Remote online notarization uses approved audio-visual platforms to allow signers and notaries to interact in real time from different locations.

In most states, the notary journal belongs to the notary personally, not the employer. Surrendering the journal to an employer would be improper.

Traditional notarization requires physical or approved remote online presence; a notary cannot perform acts based solely on a telephone call.

A credible witness who can vouch for the signer's identity is a recognized method of establishing identity when acceptable government-issued ID is unavailable.

An acknowledgment is the notarial act that confirms the identity of the signer and their willingness to sign the document, but it does not attest to the truthfulness or accuracy of the document's contents. The signer simply "acknowledges" their signature and intent. In contrast, a jurat involves an oath or affirmation regarding the truth of the document's statements.

A notary public cannot notarize their own signature because it creates a direct conflict of interest. The notary's role is to act as an impartial witness to the identity and willingness of a signer, and notarizing one's own document would compromise this neutrality. This rule is in place to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the notarial process.