TN NOTARY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TN NOTARY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Is a Tennessee notary allowed to negotiate fees with a signer below the statutory maximum? → Yes, the statutory fee is a cap, not a fixed rate, so lower fees are allowed
2. Under Tennessee law, which of the following acts is a notary public prohibited from performing? → Notarizing their own signature
3. Can a Tennessee notary public notarize a document in which they have a personal financial interest? → No, it is prohibited
4. What is a requirement to become a notary public in Tennessee? → Must be a resident of Tennessee or have a place of business in the state
5. What must a Tennessee notary public include in their notarial certificate after performing a notarization? → The date of notarization, the notary’s signature, and their seal or stamp
6. Should a notary record a thumbprint in their journal? → It is optional but recommended for high-value transactions
7. What information should a notary record in a voluntary journal entry? → Date, type of notarization, and signer's name
8. What should a Tennessee notary do if their seal is lost or stolen? → Stop notarizing and notify the Secretary of State, then obtain a new seal
9. A Tennessee notary moves to a different county within the state. Must they obtain a new seal? → No, county of residence is not required on a Tennessee notary seal
10. Is it permissible for a Tennessee notary public to notarize documents for immediate family members? → Yes, if there is no financial interest involved
11. When a Tennessee notary completes a remote online notarization, what must be attached to or logically associated with the electronic document? → The notary's electronic signature, electronic seal, and notarial certificate
12. What shape is required for a Tennessee notary's official seal? → Either circular or rectangular
13. Which of the following is NOT required for a valid jurat in Tennessee? → Notary verifies the truth of the document's contents
14. Which of the following documents is generally NOT eligible for remote online notarization in Tennessee? → Wills requiring witness attestation under specific testamentary requirements
15. Can a Tennessee notary determine which notarial act to use when the document does not specify? → No, the notary must ask the document's recipient or the signer's attorney
16. What is a Tennessee notary public’s responsibility when presented with a document that lacks a notarial certificate? → Ask the signer what type of notarization they need
17. A Tennessee notary works at a shipping store that charges customers $10 per notarization, above the $5 statutory cap. Who is responsible for the overcharge? → Only the notary is liable
18. A Tennessee notary performs an acknowledgment and a jurat on the same document visit. How many fees may be charged? → Two fees, one per notarial act
19. When swearing in a witness before taking a deposition, which notarial act is the notary performing? → An oath administered outside a jurat
20. Which of the following is a duty that a Tennessee notary public is NOT authorized to perform? → Providing legal advice
21. How long must a Tennessee notary retain the audio-video recording of a remote online notarization? → 5 years
22. Can a Tennessee notary reproduce their seal electronically to use on digital documents? → Yes, provided the electronic seal meets the standards set by Tennessee RON rules
23. For a remote online notarization in Tennessee, which method is used to verify the identity of a remotely located signer? → Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
24. What must a Tennessee notary do if they change their name during their commission? → Obtain a new seal reflecting the new name and notify the Secretary of State
25. What is the maximum fee a Tennessee notary public may charge for a single notarization? → $10
26. What happens to a notary's journal when their commission expires? → It should be retained by the notary for the recommended period
27. Which of the following is NOT an approved platform requirement for a Tennessee RON provider? → The platform must be operated from a physical office in Tennessee
28. Who is responsible for appointing notaries public in Tennessee? → The County Legislative Body (County Commission)
29. Which statement about journal entries for copy certifications is correct? → The type of document copied should be noted in the journal entry
30. What is the purpose of recording the document type in a journal entry? → To identify what kind of notarial act was performed and on what document