Texas Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: When affixing the official seal to a notarial certificate, which of the following practices is required?

The seal must be affixed using an embosser; an ink stamp is not sufficient.
The seal impression must overlap the notary's signature for security.
The seal impression must be clear, legible, and photographically reproducible. (Correct answer)
The seal must be placed in the top-left corner of the page.

Correct answer: The seal impression must be clear, legible, and photographically reproducible.

Texas Government Code § 406.013(c) requires that the seal, whether from a press or a stamp, must legibly reproduce all required elements under photographic methods. The seal should not obscure any text or the signature. While an embosser is permitted, an ink stamp is also explicitly allowed and is more common.

Question 2: A notary in Texas who personally knows the signer:

Must have two witnesses corroborate the identity
Still must require photo identification
May identify the signer by personal knowledge alone (Correct answer)
Is prohibited from notarizing for acquaintances

Correct answer: May identify the signer by personal knowledge alone

Texas law permits a notary to rely solely on personal knowledge to establish a signer's identity without requiring additional ID.

Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a notarial act in Texas?

Administering an oath
Providing legal advice about a document (Correct answer)
Taking an acknowledgment
Certifying a copy of a document

Correct answer: Providing legal advice about a document

Providing legal advice constitutes the unauthorized practice of law and is not a notarial act a Texas notary may perform.

Question 4: How does the Texas Secretary of State send the notary commission certificate to the applicant?

Via certified mail only
By email as a PDF attachment
Via regular mail to the address on the application (Correct answer)
In person at a regional SOS office

Correct answer: Via regular mail to the address on the application

The Secretary of State mails the commission certificate to the address provided on the application via regular mail.

Question 5: What must a Texas notary do before they can use a specific RON technology platform?

Pay the RON platform provider a state-mandated fee
Use only platforms approved by the Texas Secretary of State (Correct answer)
Complete 20 hours of RON platform training
Obtain a separate federal authorization for the platform

Correct answer: Use only platforms approved by the Texas Secretary of State

Texas RON notaries must use technology platforms that have been approved by the Secretary of State — they cannot use any arbitrary video conferencing tool.

Question 6: A Texas Notary Public is authorized to perform all of the following acts EXCEPT:

Administering an affirmation to a person making a sworn statement.
Protesting a negotiable instrument that has been dishonored.
Taking the deposition of a witness for a court proceeding.
Certifying a copy of a U.S. Passport. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Certifying a copy of a U.S. Passport.

Texas Notaries are explicitly prohibited from certifying copies of documents that are recordable in the public records. While some states have different rules, a U.S. Passport is an official government-issued document, and certified copies are typically obtained from the issuing agency. A Texas Notary can, however, perform a 'copy certification by document custodian,' where the custodian of the passport signs a statement affirming the copy's truthfulness, and the notary notarizes the custodian's signature. The other options—administering affirmations, taking depositions, and protesting instruments—are all authorized notarial acts in Texas.

Question 7: If a signer's identification document is expired, a Texas notary should:

Ask a witness to verify identity instead
Proceed if the expiration is within one year
Accept it if the photo still looks like the signer
Refuse to notarize and request a valid ID (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize and request a valid ID

Texas notaries must require current, unexpired identification; an expired ID is not acceptable.

Question 8: Do you need to pass a formal exam to become a notary public in Texas?

Only for certain types of notaries
Yes
Only in specific counties
No (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No

Unlike some other states, Texas does not require applicants to pass a formal exam to become a notary public. While applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and understand their duties, there is no standardized test administered by the state. The focus is on meeting residency, age, and background requirements, along with securing a surety bond.

Question 9: If a Texas notary's record book is subpoenaed in a legal proceeding, what must the notary do?

Destroy the book to protect client privacy
File a motion to quash automatically
Comply with the subpoena and produce the records as ordered (Correct answer)
Contact the SOS before responding to any subpoena

Correct answer: Comply with the subpoena and produce the records as ordered

A validly issued subpoena is a court order; the notary must comply and produce the records requested, subject to any valid legal objections raised by counsel.

Question 10: Which of the following statements about the Texas notary commission number is correct?

The commission number changes each time the notary renews
The commission number is optional on the notary seal
The commission number is assigned by the county clerk
The commission number must appear on all notarial certificates and the official seal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The commission number must appear on all notarial certificates and the official seal

The notary's commission number, along with the expiration date, must appear on the official seal and notarial certificates.

Question 11: A Texas notary who is not an attorney is asked by a client to help select the correct notarial certificate for a document. Which of the following actions is the notary permitted to take?

Advise the client that an acknowledgment is usually best for this type of document.
Prepare a new document for the client with the correct notarial certificate included.
Show the client samples of different notarial certificates and allow the signer to choose. (Correct answer)
Refuse the notarization because the document is incomplete without the certificate.

Correct answer: Show the client samples of different notarial certificates and allow the signer to choose.

A non-attorney notary in Texas commits the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) if they select or advise on the type of notarial certificate to be used. The proper procedure is to present the signer with the different types of certificates and let them make the selection. The notary may then attach the chosen certificate to the document.

Question 12: What type of entity must provide the surety bond for a Texas notary public?

A federally chartered bank
A nonprofit bonding organization
A Texas state agency
A company authorized to do business in Texas (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A company authorized to do business in Texas

The surety company providing the notary bond must be authorized to conduct business in the state of Texas.

Question 13: A Texas notary is personally liable for damages caused by their negligence when:

The harm was caused by a signer's fraud, not the notary's act
The notary's failure to follow proper procedures directly caused injury (Correct answer)
The document was later found to be unnecessary
The notary acted under instructions from an employer

Correct answer: The notary's failure to follow proper procedures directly caused injury

A Texas notary can be held personally liable when their failure to follow proper notarial procedures directly causes damages to a party.

Question 14: A notary in Texas performs a notarization for a family member at no charge. Is this permissible?

Yes, but only for immediate family members
No, notaries must always charge the statutory fee
No, notarizing for family members is a conflict of interest
Yes, notaries are permitted to waive their fees (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, notaries are permitted to waive their fees

Texas law sets maximum fees but does not require notaries to charge any fee; a notary may waive fees for family, friends, or charitable purposes.

Question 15: What is the prohibited act known as 'false notarization' in Texas?

Using an unofficial seal design
Completing a notarial certificate certifying that acts occurred when they did not (Correct answer)
Charging a fee higher than permitted
Notarizing documents on weekends

Correct answer: Completing a notarial certificate certifying that acts occurred when they did not

False notarization involves completing a notarial certificate to certify that the notary performed acts that in fact never occurred.

Question 16: Which document type most commonly requires a notarial acknowledgment in Texas?

Tax returns
Real estate deeds and mortgages (Correct answer)
School enrollment forms
Utility bills

Correct answer: Real estate deeds and mortgages

Real estate deeds and mortgages typically require a notarized acknowledgment to be recorded in Texas.

Question 17: A client presents a document for notarization that has a signature line but no notarial certificate wording. Which of the following is the appropriate action for the Texas notary to take?

Sign and stamp below the client's signature without any certificate wording.
Select the appropriate certificate on the signer's behalf and attach it.
Refuse to notarize the document because it is incomplete.
Inform the signer that a notarial certificate is required and attach a completed, loose certificate of the signer's choosing. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Inform the signer that a notarial certificate is required and attach a completed, loose certificate of the signer's choosing.

A notary cannot perform a notarization without a notarial certificate. The notary is prohibited from choosing the type of certificate for the signer, as this constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. The correct procedure is to explain that a certificate is necessary, present the different types (e.g., acknowledgment or jurat), let the signer choose, and then complete and attach the chosen certificate to the document.

Question 18: Can a Texas notary perform notarial acts without a valid surety bond on file with the Secretary of State?

Yes, if the notary has been commissioned for more than two years
Yes, for up to 30 days while obtaining a new bond
Yes, as long as they have E&O insurance instead
No, an active bond is required to perform any notarial acts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No, an active bond is required to perform any notarial acts

Texas law requires an active surety bond throughout the entire commission period; performing notarial acts without a valid bond is not permitted.

Question 19: Which of the following statements about verbal oaths in Texas is true?

A nod of the head is legally sufficient as an oath
The affiant must respond audibly to confirm the oath (Correct answer)
The oath must be transcribed and notarized separately
Written oaths are always preferred over verbal oaths

Correct answer: The affiant must respond audibly to confirm the oath

The affiant must respond verbally (audibly) to the notary's oath question to confirm the oath has been properly administered.

Question 20: What does Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance provide for a Texas notary?

Government-backed coverage for all notarial acts
Protection against criminal prosecution for notary misconduct
Coverage for financial losses the notary causes due to mistakes or negligence (Correct answer)
A replacement for the surety bond requirement

Correct answer: Coverage for financial losses the notary causes due to mistakes or negligence

E&O insurance protects the notary personally by covering financial losses that result from honest mistakes or negligence in performing notarial acts.

Texas Notary Public Exam

The Texas Notary Public Exam is a 20-question multiple-choice assessment administered by the Texas Secretary of State, testing knowledge of basic notary principles, authorized notarial acts, and proper procedures required for commissioning.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

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

statutes.capitol.texas.gov — Eligibility, fees, renewal, score validity · verified Oct 2026
sos.state.tx.us — Test delivery, score release, time limit, fees, passing score, retake policy, test dates · verified Oct 2026