Oregon Notary Public Commission Examination — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A person claims to be a law enforcement officer and demands an Oregon notary's journal without presenting a warrant or subpoena. What is the correct response?

Immediately surrender the journal to maintain good relations with law enforcement
Destroy the journal to protect the signers' privacy
Allow viewing of the journal but not removal of it
Politely decline to surrender the journal without proper legal process and explain the law (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Politely decline to surrender the journal without proper legal process and explain the law

Without valid legal process such as a warrant or subpoena, a notary is not required to surrender their journal to law enforcement.

Question 2: Must an Oregon notary record the fee charged in their journal entry?

No — fee information is not a required journal element
Yes — the fee charged (or notation that no fee was charged) must be included in the journal entry (Correct answer)
Only if the fee exceeds $25
Only for real estate-related notarial acts

Correct answer: Yes — the fee charged (or notation that no fee was charged) must be included in the journal entry

Oregon requires notaries to record the fee charged for each notarial act in their journal, or note that no fee was charged.

Question 3: Can a person who lives in another state but works in Oregon become a notary public in Oregon?

Yes (Correct answer)
No

Correct answer: Yes

Oregon law permits individuals who reside in another state to become an Oregon notary public, provided they maintain a place of employment or practice within Oregon. This flexibility allows professionals who commute across state lines for work to serve as notaries in the state where they conduct their business. The key is having a legitimate work presence in Oregon, even if their primary residence is elsewhere.

Question 4: An Oregon notary performs a copy certification. What does the certificate language certify?

That the document is legally binding
That the document meets recording requirements
That the original document has been destroyed
That the copy is a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of the original document (Correct answer)

Correct answer: That the copy is a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of the original document

A copy certification certifies that the copy is a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of the original document that the notary examined.

Question 5: When administering an oath in Oregon, what must the notary ensure?

Two witnesses are present
The document is recorded with the county clerk
The signer pays a filing fee
The signer swears or affirms the statement is true (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The signer swears or affirms the statement is true

Administering an oath requires the signer to swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the content is truthful.

Question 6: Which of the following is a notarial act authorized for Oregon notaries?

Certifying a vital record
Issuing a passport
Taking an acknowledgment (Correct answer)
Performing a marriage ceremony

Correct answer: Taking an acknowledgment

Oregon notaries are authorized to take acknowledgments as one of their core notarial acts.

Question 7: Which of the following best describes the security requirement for an electronically notarized document in Oregon RON?

The document must be certified by both the notary and an attorney
The document must be printed and wet-signed before final filing
The document must be stored in an encrypted government database
The document must be secured with tamper-evident technology that detects any post-notarization alterations (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The document must be secured with tamper-evident technology that detects any post-notarization alterations

Oregon RON requires electronically notarized documents to use tamper-evident technology to protect against post-notarization alteration.

Question 8: A notary drives 30 miles to a client's home to perform two notarial acts. Which fee arrangement is permissible under Oregon law?

No fee because travel notarizations must be free
$10 for both acts combined, with no travel fee allowed
$25 per act because the visit was out of town
$10 per act ($20 total) plus a disclosed, reasonable travel fee (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $10 per act ($20 total) plus a disclosed, reasonable travel fee

The notary may charge $10 per notarial act (up to $20) plus a reasonable travel fee, provided the travel fee was disclosed to the client before the trip.

Question 9: Which type of identification would NOT satisfy Oregon's satisfactory evidence of identity standard?

A current Oregon driver's license
A current U.S. passport card
A current military identification card with photograph
A voter registration card without a photograph (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A voter registration card without a photograph

A voter registration card without a photograph does not meet Oregon's requirement for a government-issued document with a photograph and signature.

Question 10: How long is an Oregon notary public commission valid?

10 years
6 years
2 years
4 years (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4 years

In Oregon, a notary public commission is valid for a specific term to ensure regular review of qualifications and adherence to current regulations. An Oregon notary public commission is valid for a period of four years. After this period, notaries must reapply and meet all current requirements to renew their commission.

Question 11: When performing a remote online notarization in Oregon, what special journal requirements apply?

The signer must keep a copy of the journal entry
No journal is required for electronic acts
Only paper journals are acceptable for RON
The notary must keep an electronic journal and retain audio-video recordings (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary must keep an electronic journal and retain audio-video recordings

Oregon RON regulations require an electronic journal and retention of audio-video recordings of each remote notarization session.

Question 12: What information must an Oregon notary include below their signature on a notarial certificate?

Their employer's name and address
The date they obtained their commission
Their commission expiration date and the words 'Notary Public' or equivalent (Correct answer)
Their home address and phone number

Correct answer: Their commission expiration date and the words 'Notary Public' or equivalent

Below their signature, an Oregon notary must include their commission expiration date and identify themselves as a Notary Public.

Question 13: Oregon notary law prohibits performing a notarial act for a signer if the notary is unable to communicate with the signer in which way?

Through email or electronic means
In writing
Through a family member acting as informal translator
Directly or through an interpreter (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Directly or through an interpreter

Oregon requires that the notary be able to communicate with the signer directly or through a qualified interpreter to ensure the signer understands the act.

Question 14: Which Oregon statute authorizes Remote Online Notarization in Oregon?

ORS 84.001 (Electronic Signatures Act)
ORS 194.216 (Oregon Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, RON provisions) (Correct answer)
ORS 7.110 (County Clerk Recording Requirements)
ORS 105.315 (Real Property Transfer Act)

Correct answer: ORS 194.216 (Oregon Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, RON provisions)

Oregon's RON authority is found in ORS 194.216 and related provisions of Oregon's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.

Question 15: If an Oregon notarial certificate contains an error discovered after the document was returned to the signer, what is the correct procedure?

Issue a separate 'correction certificate' without the original document
File a corrective notice with the Secretary of State
Contact the signer to have them return the document for correction or re-notarization (Correct answer)
Make corrections directly to the original document without involving the signer

Correct answer: Contact the signer to have them return the document for correction or re-notarization

If an error is discovered after the document was returned, the notary should contact the signer to arrange for correction or a new notarization.

Question 16: What format is required for an Oregon notary's paper journal?

An official form purchased from the Secretary of State
A bound book with pre-numbered pages (Correct answer)
A three-ring binder with removable pages
Any notebook, including loose-leaf binders

Correct answer: A bound book with pre-numbered pages

Oregon notary rules require a paper journal to be a permanently bound book with pre-numbered pages to prevent tampering or removal of entries.

Question 17: An Oregon notary who also works as a paralegal at a law firm is asked to notarize documents for the firm's clients during office hours. The firm's policy is that notarizations are provided free of charge. What should the notary do?

Charge the maximum statutory fee regardless of employer policy
Resign as a notary if the employer prohibits fees
Charge a reduced fee of $5 per act as a compromise
Follow the employer's no-fee policy, as employers may restrict fee collection (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Follow the employer's no-fee policy, as employers may restrict fee collection

Oregon law allows an employer to direct an employed notary not to charge fees for notarial acts performed in the scope of employment.

Question 18: Which of the following is required to appear on every Oregon notarial certificate?

The document preparer's name
The signer's signature
The notary's home address
The notary's signature and official seal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The notary's signature and official seal

Every Oregon notarial certificate must include the notary's signature and their official notary seal.

Question 19: Which of the following information is typically NOT required in an Oregon notary journal entry?

The type of notarial act performed
The signer's full Social Security number (Correct answer)
The type of identification used to identify the signer
The date of the notarial act

Correct answer: The signer's full Social Security number

Social Security numbers are sensitive personal identifiers that are not required (and should not be recorded) in an Oregon notary journal.

Question 20: What is a 'notarial certificate' in Oregon?

A court-approved form required for all notarized documents
A receipt provided to the signer after notarization
A license issued to the notary by the Secretary of State
The written statement completed and signed by the notary describing the notarial act performed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The written statement completed and signed by the notary describing the notarial act performed

A notarial certificate is the written statement attached to or included in a document that describes the notarial act and is signed and sealed by the notary.

Question 21: What must an Oregon notary include along with their signature on a notarial certificate?

Their official seal and commission expiration date (Correct answer)
Their employer's name and address
Their home address and phone number
Their Social Security number

Correct answer: Their official seal and commission expiration date

Oregon notaries must include their official seal and commission expiration date on the notarial certificate along with their signature.

Question 22: Which of the following must be recorded in an Oregon notary journal entry?

Date of the notarial act, type of act, and description of the document (Correct answer)
The full text of the document being notarized
The names of all parties to the transaction
The fee charged by the notary

Correct answer: Date of the notarial act, type of act, and description of the document

Journal entries should include the date, type of notarial act performed, and a description of the document.

Question 23: Upon the death of a notary public, the personal representative of the deceased shall

The option to file a new oath of office and bond in the new county
Address change name change resignation of the notary and death of the notary
Notify the Secretary of State immediately turn in the journal to county clerk where the oath if on file within 30 days and destroy or deface his or her seal (Correct answer)
If they're an OR or EE. Grantor grantee lessor lessee vendor or vender trustor trustee mortgagor or mortgagee or beneficiary

Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State immediately turn in the journal to county clerk where the oath if on file within 30 days and destroy or deface his or her seal

Upon the death of a notary public, their personal representative has specific legal responsibilities regarding the notary's official items. They must immediately notify the Secretary of State of the notary's passing. Within 30 days, they are required to turn in the notary's official journal to the county clerk where the notary's oath is on file and destroy or deface the notary's seal to prevent misuse.

Question 24: What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in Oregon?

16 years old
No age requirement
21 years old
18 years old (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 18 years old

To become a notary public in Oregon, an individual must meet specific eligibility criteria set by state law. One fundamental requirement is that the applicant must be at least 18 years of age. This ensures that notaries are adults legally capable of understanding and fulfilling the responsibilities of the office.

Question 25: Which of the following is a required element of an Oregon acknowledgment certificate?

The name of the person acknowledging the signature (Correct answer)
The attorney's bar number if applicable
The value of the transaction
The document's recording number

Correct answer: The name of the person acknowledging the signature

The acknowledgment certificate must identify the person who appeared before the notary and acknowledged their signature.

Question 26: An Oregon notary performs a remote online notarization for a client using approved communication technology and charges $30. What is the consequence?

No consequence; $30 is within the RON fee limit
The notary violated the law by exceeding the $25 RON maximum (Correct answer)
The notary violated the law by exceeding the $10 in-person maximum
The fee is lawful only if the client lives outside Oregon

Correct answer: The notary violated the law by exceeding the $25 RON maximum

ORS 194.505 caps RON fees at $25 per act; charging $30 exceeds this limit and constitutes a violation of Oregon notary law.

Question 27: Under Oregon law, which of the following describes an act of 'notarial fraud'?

Using an older seal that has a slightly different design than required
Completing a notarial certificate without the signer having appeared (Correct answer)
Charging a fee that is above the usual market rate
Notarizing a document in a subject area the notary is unfamiliar with

Correct answer: Completing a notarial certificate without the signer having appeared

Completing a notarial certificate without the signer actually appearing constitutes notarial fraud because it falsely certifies that an appearance occurred.

Question 28: What language proficiency is required for an Oregon notary commission applicant?

Ability to read and write English (Correct answer)
Fluency in at least two languages
Passing score on an Oregon notary exam
Fluency in any single language

Correct answer: Ability to read and write English

Oregon requires applicants to be able to read and write English as a condition for receiving a notary commission.

Question 29: What is 'unauthorized practice of law' in the context of Oregon notary services?

Charging fees for notarial services
Notarizing documents for out-of-state parties
Providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, or representing clients without a law license (Correct answer)
Using a rubber stamp seal instead of an embosser

Correct answer: Providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, or representing clients without a law license

Unauthorized practice of law occurs when a notary provides legal advice or services that require a law license, which notaries are prohibited from doing.

Question 30: Is an Oregon notary required to maintain a journal of notarial acts?

Only for real estate-related notarial acts
No — journal maintenance is optional in Oregon
Only if the notary charges a fee for services
Yes — Oregon law requires notaries to keep a chronological journal of all notarial acts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes — Oregon law requires notaries to keep a chronological journal of all notarial acts

Oregon law requires all commissioned notaries to maintain a chronological journal of every notarial act they perform.

Question 31: Is an Oregon notary allowed to provide legal advice to a signer?

Yes, if the signer requests it
No, unless the notary is also a licensed attorney (Correct answer)
Yes, notaries may explain legal documents as part of their role
No, but notaries may explain general legal definitions

Correct answer: No, unless the notary is also a licensed attorney

Oregon notaries may not provide legal advice unless they are separately licensed as attorneys, as doing so constitutes unauthorized practice of law.

Question 32: What documents can a notary use to verify identity?

- Note how many pages in additional information section of journal - Staple the pages together.
- Drivers License or ID - Passport - Military Card - Tribal card - Government ID - Correctional facility ID (Correct answer)
Hand it back to the customer and have them fill it in. If the customer doesn't have the information have them initial the blank space and note where its at in the additional information section of your journal.
- There are problems with documentation - There are problems with the certificate - There are concerns with the signers willingness or competence to sign

Correct answer: - Drivers License or ID - Passport - Military Card - Tribal card - Government ID - Correctional facility ID

Notaries are required to verify the identity of signers to prevent fraud. Acceptable forms of identification typically include government-issued photo IDs that are current and contain a physical description and signature. Common examples are a driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID, tribal card, or other government-issued identification, including those from correctional facilities.

Question 33: May an Oregon notary allow an employer to keep the notary's official journal?

Yes, employers routinely hold notary journals on behalf of their notary employees
Yes, if the notary provides written authorization
No, the journal must remain under the direct control of the notary to whom it belongs (Correct answer)
Only if the employer is also a licensed attorney or notary

Correct answer: No, the journal must remain under the direct control of the notary to whom it belongs

An Oregon notary's journal is a personal official record that must remain under the notary's control — it cannot be surrendered to an employer.

Question 34: An Oregon acknowledgment certificate says 'Before me personally appeared [name].' What does 'personally appeared' mean?

The signer was physically present before the notary at the time of the act (Correct answer)
The document was authenticated by video call
The signer submitted the document by mail
The signer's attorney appeared on their behalf

Correct answer: The signer was physically present before the notary at the time of the act

'Personally appeared' means the signer was physically in the notary's presence when the acknowledgment was made.

Question 35: What technology is required for Oregon Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

Two-way audio-visual communication technology in real time (Correct answer)
Email exchange with a scanned copy of the signed document
A pre-recorded video of the signer
A standard telephone call with voice verification

Correct answer: Two-way audio-visual communication technology in real time

Oregon RON requires real-time two-way audio-visual communication that allows the notary to both see and hear the signer simultaneously.

Question 36: An Oregon notary signs and seals a notarial certificate but then realizes they forgot to write the date. What should the notary do?

Sign a separate affidavit explaining the correct date
Leave the date blank and let the recipient fill it in
Contact the signer and, if possible, correct the certificate by adding the correct date and initialing the addition (Correct answer)
Issue a completely new certificate and destroy the incomplete one

Correct answer: Contact the signer and, if possible, correct the certificate by adding the correct date and initialing the addition

A missing date should be corrected as soon as possible by adding the correct date and initialing the addition after contacting the signer to ensure the correction is proper.

Question 37: In an Oregon jurat certificate, which phrase typically appears?

'Acknowledged before me this day'
'Witnessed by me, a Notary Public'
'Certified to be a true copy of the original'
'Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 'Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me'

Jurat certificates use the phrase 'Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me' to indicate the signer signed and took an oath in the notary's presence.

Question 38: Which of the following is NOT required information in an Oregon notary's journal entry?

The notary's personal home address (Correct answer)
The type of notarial act performed
A description of the document notarized
The date of the notarial act

Correct answer: The notary's personal home address

The notary's personal home address is not a required element in a journal entry; date, act type, and document description are required.

Question 39: Which of the following is a requirement to become a notary public in Oregon?

Must not have been convicted of a crime involving fraud (Correct answer)
Must submit fingerprints
Must have a valid driver's license
Must have a college degree

Correct answer: Must not have been convicted of a crime involving fraud

Integrity and trustworthiness are paramount for a notary public, who serves as an impartial witness to document signings. Therefore, Oregon law requires that applicants must not have been convicted of a crime involving fraud or dishonesty. This ensures that individuals holding a public office of trust have a clean record regarding financial and ethical conduct, which is essential for maintaining public confidence in notarized documents.

Question 40: What should an Oregon notary do if a document presented for notarization does not include a notarial certificate?

Attach the appropriate certificate wording to the document (Correct answer)
Sign and seal the document without a certificate
Ask the signer to contact the document's preparer
Refuse to notarize the document

Correct answer: Attach the appropriate certificate wording to the document

If a document lacks a notarial certificate, the notary may attach the appropriate certificate wording as a separate page to the document.

Question 41: Which of the following would disqualify someone from becoming a notary public in Oregon?

Being convicted of a felony
Being unable to read and write in English
All of the above (Correct answer)
Having had a notary commission revoked in the last 10 years

Correct answer: All of the above

Oregon law outlines several conditions that would disqualify an applicant from becoming a notary public, or lead to the revocation of an existing commission. These include being convicted of a felony, which indicates a lack of the moral character required for a public official. Additionally, the inability to read and write in English prevents a notary from properly understanding and executing their duties, and having a prior commission revoked for misconduct within the last 10 years demonstrates a history of unsuitability.

Question 42: A person whose Oregon notary commission was revoked may reapply after how many years?

5 years
They may never reapply
1 year
10 years (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 10 years

Oregon law disqualifies applicants whose commission was revoked within the last 10 years.

Question 43: When an Oregon notary takes an acknowledgment, what does the signer formally 'acknowledge'?

That the document was prepared by a licensed professional
That all information in the document is true and correct
That they signed the document and that the signature is their own free act (Correct answer)
That the notary has verified the document's legal sufficiency

Correct answer: That they signed the document and that the signature is their own free act

In an acknowledgment, the signer formally acknowledges that the signature on the document is their own and was made voluntarily.

Question 44: What is an 'apostille' in relation to Oregon notarized documents?

A translation of the notarial certificate into a foreign language
A certificate authenticating the notary's authority for use in foreign countries (Correct answer)
An additional oath required for international legal documents
A type of notarial seal used for international documents

Correct answer: A certificate authenticating the notary's authority for use in foreign countries

An apostille is an authentication certificate issued by the Oregon Secretary of State that verifies the notary's signature and seal for acceptance in countries participating in the Hague Convention.

Question 45: Which best describes 'notary errors and omissions' (E&O) insurance?

A state fund that compensates notarization errors
Insurance covering fraud committed by the notary
Required liability coverage mandated by Oregon law
Coverage protecting the notary against claims arising from unintentional mistakes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Coverage protecting the notary against claims arising from unintentional mistakes

E&O insurance protects notaries from financial liability resulting from unintentional errors or omissions in their official duties.

Oregon Notary Public Commission Examination

The Oregon Notary Public exam tests knowledge of Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 194, the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, notarial procedures, certificate wording, journal recordkeeping, and eligibility requirements for commissioning as a notary in Oregon.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

oregonlegislature.gov — Score validity · verified Oct 2026
sos.oregon.gov — Test delivery, exam format, retake policy, fees · verified Oct 2026