SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Notary Qualifications and Commission Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a mandatory qualification for becoming a Notary Public in South Carolina?
- Be a high school graduate.
- Be a registered voter in South Carolina. (Correct answer)
- Own property within the state.
- Pass a state-administered exam.
Correct answer: Be a registered voter in South Carolina.
According to the South Carolina Secretary of State, a primary requirement to become a notary public is to be a registered voter in the state. This implies the applicant meets age, residency, and citizenship requirements for voting.
Question 2: A South Carolina notary commission is valid for a term of how many years?
- 4 years
- 5 years
- 10 years (Correct answer)
- 7 years
Correct answer: 10 years
In South Carolina, notaries public are appointed and commissioned for a term of 10 years.
Question 3: An individual has successfully completed their South Carolina notary application and received their commission certificate in the mail. What is the next required step they must take before they can legally perform notarial acts?
- Purchase a notary seal and journal.
- Advertise their notary services in a local newspaper.
- File an affidavit of identity with the Secretary of State.
- Enroll their commission with the Clerk of Court in their county of residence. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Enroll their commission with the Clerk of Court in their county of residence.
After receiving the commission, a new notary must enroll it with the Clerk of Court in their county of residence. This step should generally be completed within 15 days of being commissioned, though there is no penalty for late enrollment.
Question 4: If a commissioned South Carolina notary legally changes their name, they must notify the Secretary of State's Office by filing a Change of Status Request within how many days?
- 15 days
- 30 days
- 45 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
Correct answer: 45 days
A notary public who changes their name must inform the Secretary of State's Office by filing a Change of Status Request within 45 days of the change.
Question 5: An applicant for a South Carolina notary commission is filling out the required form. The application includes an oath that must be signed. Who is authorized to witness and notarize the applicant's signature on this specific form?
- The applicant's immediate family member.
- Any currently commissioned South Carolina Notary Public. (Correct answer)
- The County Legislative Delegation office staff.
- The applicant can sign it themselves and mail it in.
Correct answer: Any currently commissioned South Carolina Notary Public.
The applicant's signature on the notary application must be acknowledged by a person authorized to administer oaths, such as another currently commissioned South Carolina Notary Public. An applicant cannot notarize their own signature.
Question 6: Which of the following statements regarding the application process for a South Carolina Notary Public commission is TRUE?
- The application and fee are submitted directly to the Secretary of State's office.
- Applicants must provide proof of passing a mandatory training course.
- Out-of-state residents who are employed in SC may apply.
- The application is first sent to the applicant's county legislative delegation office. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The application is first sent to the applicant's county legislative delegation office.
The completed notary application, along with the fee, must be mailed to the applicant's county legislative delegation office. This office verifies voter registration and forwards the application to the Secretary of State for the commission to be issued. South Carolina law does not allow out-of-state residents to become notaries, and there is no mandatory training course for a standard commission.
SC Notary - South Carolina Notary Notary Qualifications and Commission Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a mandatory qualification for becoming a Notary Public in South Carolina?