Wisconsin Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Does Wisconsin allow notaries to perform electronic notarizations of paper documents (in-person electronic notarization)?

Only for government documents
Only for documents stored in the cloud
No, electronic notarization is only for remote acts
Yes, an authorized notary can use an electronic signature and seal on an electronic document presented in person (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, an authorized notary can use an electronic signature and seal on an electronic document presented in person

Wisconsin law permits in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), where the signer is physically present but the document and notarial acts are completed electronically.

Question 2: For a corporate acknowledgment in Wisconsin, who may sign on behalf of the corporation?

Only the CEO
An authorized officer or agent of the corporation (Correct answer)
Only a licensed attorney
Any employee of the corporation

Correct answer: An authorized officer or agent of the corporation

A corporate acknowledgment may be executed by any authorized officer or agent of the corporation who has authority to sign on its behalf.

Question 3: In Wisconsin, may a notary refuse to administer an affirmation to a signer who does not wish to take a religious oath?

Only if the document requires an oath specifically
No, the notary must offer an affirmation as an alternative (Correct answer)
Yes, the notary can require an oath
Yes, if the notary has religious objections

Correct answer: No, the notary must offer an affirmation as an alternative

Wisconsin notaries must offer affirmations as an alternative to oaths for signers who prefer a secular pledge.

Question 4: When a Wisconsin notary performs a remote online notarization, what must their electronic seal contain?

The IP address of the notary's computer
The same information as a physical seal: name, 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Wisconsin' (Correct answer)
The notary's license number and bar number
Only the notary's email address

Correct answer: The same information as a physical seal: name, 'Notary Public,' and 'State of Wisconsin'

An electronic seal for remote online notarization in Wisconsin must contain the same identifying information as a physical seal.

Question 5: When only ONE credible witness is used to identify a signer in Wisconsin, that witness must be:

A family member of the document signer
Personally known to the notary (Correct answer)
A licensed attorney or notary public
Known only to the document signer

Correct answer: Personally known to the notary

When relying on a single credible witness, Wisconsin law requires that witness to be personally known to the notary performing the notarial act.

Question 6: A signer presents a Wisconsin driver's license that expired 2 years ago. According to Wisconsin notary law, should the notary accept this as identification?

No — expired IDs are never acceptable under any circumstances
Yes — it expired within the last 3 years and is therefore acceptable (Correct answer)
Only if accompanied by a second, current form of identification
Only for documents that do not involve real property transactions

Correct answer: Yes — it expired within the last 3 years and is therefore acceptable

Wisconsin law permits IDs that are expired not more than 3 years before the notarial act, so a license expired 2 years ago is acceptable.

Question 7: Should a Wisconsin notary record the method of identification used in their journal?

Only if the signer is not personally known
Only for real estate documents
Yes, noting the type and details of ID presented is best practice (Correct answer)
No, ID information is too sensitive to record

Correct answer: Yes, noting the type and details of ID presented is best practice

Recording the type of identification presented and any relevant details (e.g., driver's license number, issuing state) documents that proper identification was verified.

Question 8: What Wisconsin certificate wording typically includes the phrase 'subscribed and sworn to before me'?

An acknowledgment certificate
A protest certificate
A copy certification certificate
A jurat certificate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A jurat certificate

The phrase 'subscribed and sworn to before me' is standard jurat certificate language, reflecting the signing and oath elements of that act.

Question 9: A friend offers to pay you extra for notarizing a document without verifying the signer’s identity. What is the ethical course of action?

Ask the signer to sign a waiver releasing you from liability.
Notarize the document as long as you trust your friend.
Refuse to notarize the document unless the signer’s identity is verified. (Correct answer)
Accept the extra payment and notarize the document.

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document unless the signer’s identity is verified.

A core duty of a Wisconsin notary is to verify the identity of the signer to prevent fraud. Accepting extra payment to bypass this crucial step is a serious breach of ethical conduct and legal requirements. Refusing to notarize without proper identification upholds the integrity of the notarial act and protects all parties involved.

Question 10: If a Wisconsin remote notarization session is interrupted by a technical failure, what should the notary do?

Complete the notarization from memory without re-verifying
Cancel the commission and contact the DFI
Restart the session and re-verify the signer's identity before completing the act (Correct answer)
Accept the partial recording as sufficient

Correct answer: Restart the session and re-verify the signer's identity before completing the act

If a remote session is interrupted, the notary must re-establish the audio-visual connection and re-verify the signer's identity before completing the notarization.

Question 11: What Wisconsin law authorizes electronic and remote online notarizations?

Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter DFI
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140, enacted as part of the Uniform Notarial Acts (Correct answer)
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 706 only
Federal ESIGN Act exclusively

Correct answer: Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140, enacted as part of the Uniform Notarial Acts

Wisconsin Chapter 140 (Uniform Notarial Acts) provides the statutory framework authorizing both electronic and remote online notarizations in the state.

Question 12: A Wisconsin notary is asked to notarize a document that the notary knows contains false information. What should the notary do?

Notarize the document but report the false information to the authorities.
Notarize the document only if the signer acknowledges the false information.
Notarize the document and let the signer take responsibility for the content.
Refuse to notarize the document to avoid participating in fraud. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document to avoid participating in fraud.

A Wisconsin notary's role is to act as an impartial witness to signatures, not to validate the truthfulness of a document's content. However, if a notary knows a document contains false information, notarizing it could be seen as aiding in fraudulent activity. To maintain impartiality and avoid complicity in illegal acts, the notary must refuse the notarization.

Question 13: What technology is required for Wisconsin remote online notarizations?

Email exchange
Text messaging
Two-way audio-visual communication technology (Correct answer)
Telephone only

Correct answer: Two-way audio-visual communication technology

Wisconsin law requires two-way audio-visual communication so the notary can see and hear the signer in real time during a remote online notarization.

Question 14: Must Wisconsin remote online notarizations be recorded?

Only for real estate documents
Only if the signer requests it
Yes, the audio-visual session must be recorded and retained (Correct answer)
No, recording is optional

Correct answer: Yes, the audio-visual session must be recorded and retained

Wisconsin law requires that remote online notarization sessions be recorded and that the recording be retained for a specified period.

Question 15: Which of the following is NOT a type of notarial act in Wisconsin?

Taking an acknowledgment
Issuing a subpoena (Correct answer)
Administering an oath
Certifying a copy of a document

Correct answer: Issuing a subpoena

Issuing a subpoena is a judicial or legal function, not a notarial act authorized under Wisconsin law.

Question 16: For a Wisconsin acknowledgment, must the signer personally appear before the notary at the time of signing?

The signer must both appear and sign in the notary's presence
The signer may send a representative
The signer must personally appear but need not sign in the notary's presence (Correct answer)
No personal appearance is required for acknowledgments

Correct answer: The signer must personally appear but need not sign in the notary's presence

For an acknowledgment in Wisconsin, the signer must appear before the notary but may have already signed the document before appearing.

Question 17: What is a 'copy certification' notarial act?

Certifying the identity of a signer
Certifying the notary's own credentials
Certifying that a copy is a true and accurate copy of an original document (Correct answer)
Certifying that a document was notarized previously

Correct answer: Certifying that a copy is a true and accurate copy of an original document

A copy certification is a notarial act where the notary compares the copy to the original and certifies the copy is accurate.

Question 18: What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation in Wisconsin?

An affirmation requires a witness; an oath does not
An oath is stronger legally than an affirmation
An oath invokes a deity; an affirmation is a secular pledge with the same legal effect (Correct answer)
An oath is for civil matters; an affirmation is for criminal matters

Correct answer: An oath invokes a deity; an affirmation is a secular pledge with the same legal effect

An oath invokes God or a deity, while an affirmation is a solemn pledge without religious reference; both have the same legal force in Wisconsin.

Question 19: Which of the following is a requirement to become a notary public in Wisconsin?

You must be a resident of Wisconsin. (Correct answer)
You must reside in any state, as long as you work in Wisconsin.
You must be a legal resident of any U.S. state, with no work location requirement.
You must be a U.S. citizen only.

Correct answer: You must be a resident of Wisconsin.

To become a notary public in Wisconsin, an applicant must be a legal resident of the state. This requirement, outlined in Wis. Stat. § 137.01(2)(b), ensures that notaries are subject to Wisconsin's jurisdiction and are readily available to serve the state's public. It prevents individuals from other states who merely work in Wisconsin from holding a Wisconsin notary commission.

Question 20: May a Wisconsin notary perform an acknowledgment for a person who signed a document using a mark (X) instead of a full signature?

No, marks are not legally recognized in Wisconsin
Only if a witness co-signs the document
Yes, if the notary witnesses the mark and proper procedures are followed (Correct answer)
No, only full signatures can be acknowledged

Correct answer: Yes, if the notary witnesses the mark and proper procedures are followed

Wisconsin law allows acknowledgment of a document signed by mark, provided the notary witnesses the mark and the appropriate procedures are followed.

Question 21: Which of the following is an ethical duty of a Wisconsin notary public?

Notarizing documents for close family members to expedite the process.
Charging additional fees for notarizations performed outside of regular business hours.
Acting as an impartial witness and performing notarial acts without bias. (Correct answer)
Refusing to notarize documents that you don’t personally agree with.

Correct answer: Acting as an impartial witness and performing notarial acts without bias.

The fundamental ethical duty of a Wisconsin notary public is to serve as an impartial witness. This means performing notarial acts fairly and objectively, without personal interest or bias towards any party or the document's content. Maintaining impartiality is crucial for the public trust placed in the notary's office.

Question 22: For a Wisconsin jurat, must the signer appear personally before the notary?

Yes, personal appearance is required for a jurat (Correct answer)
Only for documents worth over $1,000
No, the oath can be taken remotely without authorization
No, the signature alone is sufficient

Correct answer: Yes, personal appearance is required for a jurat

A jurat requires the signer to personally appear before the notary to take the oath or affirmation and sign the document.

Question 23: In Wisconsin, who may perform a notarial act for a remotely located individual?

Only attorneys licensed in Wisconsin
Any Wisconsin notary without special authorization
Only county clerks
A notary authorized to perform remote notarial acts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A notary authorized to perform remote notarial acts

Only notaries who have received specific authorization to perform remote online notarizations may notarize for remotely located individuals in Wisconsin.

Question 24: Can a Wisconsin notary certify a copy of a vital record such as a birth certificate?

No, vital records may only be certified by the issuing government agency (Correct answer)
Yes, any document can be copy-certified
Yes, but only if the original is presented in person
No, only attorneys can certify vital records

Correct answer: No, vital records may only be certified by the issuing government agency

Wisconsin notaries cannot certify copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) because those must be certified by the issuing government office.

Question 25: A signer requests that a Wisconsin notary backdate a document to make it appear as though it was signed on an earlier date. What is the ethical action for the notary to take?

Notarize the document without a date to avoid any legal issues.
Backdate the document if the signer provides a valid reason.
Backdate the document but keep a private record of the actual date.
Refuse to backdate the document and explain that doing so is illegal. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to backdate the document and explain that doing so is illegal.

Backdating a document is a fraudulent act that falsifies the date of a notarial act. A Wisconsin notary is legally and ethically bound to record the actual date the notarial act occurs. Participating in backdating would constitute official misconduct and could lead to severe penalties, including commission revocation and criminal charges.

Question 26: What oath wording should a Wisconsin notary use when administering an oath for a jurat?

Do you authorize this document to be recorded?
Do you confirm your identity as stated?
Do you agree that this document is correct?
Do you swear (or affirm) that the statements in this document are true to the best of your knowledge? (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Do you swear (or affirm) that the statements in this document are true to the best of your knowledge?

The standard jurat oath asks the signer to swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true to the best of their knowledge.

Question 27: In Wisconsin, should a notary make a journal entry for each individual document notarized in a multi-document signing?

Yes, each separate notarial act should have its own entry (Correct answer)
Only if requested by the signer
Only if the documents are for different parties
No, one entry covers all documents in a signing

Correct answer: Yes, each separate notarial act should have its own entry

Best practice is to record each notarial act separately, even if multiple documents are notarized in a single session for the same person.

Question 28: A Wisconsin notary is asked to notarize a document but notices that the signer appears unsure of the contents. What should the notary do?

Refuse to notarize the document until the signer fully understands it. (Correct answer)
Notarize the document as long as the signer signs it.
Notarize the document but make a note about the signer's uncertainty.
Explain the document to the signer to ensure they understand.

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document until the signer fully understands it.

A Wisconsin notary must ensure that the signer appears willing and aware of what they are signing. If a signer seems unsure or confused about the document's contents, the notary should refuse to proceed. Notaries are not permitted to explain or interpret documents, but they must be satisfied that the signer is acting knowingly and voluntarily.

Question 29: A Wisconsin notary is asked to notarize a document in which they have a direct financial interest. What should the notary do?

Notarize the document if the signer consents to your involvement.
Notarize the document but avoid benefiting from the transaction.
Notarize the document, but disclose your interest to the signer.
Refuse to notarize the document due to the conflict of interest. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document due to the conflict of interest.

A Wisconsin notary must avoid any situation where they have a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction being notarized. Notarizing a document in which they have such an interest creates a conflict of interest, compromising their impartiality and the integrity of the notarial act. Refusal is necessary to uphold ethical standards and legal requirements.

Question 30: How should a Wisconsin notary correct an error in their paper journal?

Use correction fluid (white-out) to cover the mistake
Tear out the page and start a new entry
Leave the error uncorrected
Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it

Errors in a notary journal should be corrected by lining out the mistake, writing the correct information, and initialing the correction to maintain the integrity of the record.

Wisconsin Notary Public Exam

The Wisconsin Notary Public Exam tests applicants on state notary law, proper notarial procedures, certificate requirements, and ethical obligations as administered by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Candidates must complete a 7-chapter online tutorial and pass the final exam to become commissioned as a Wisconsin notary public.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

90%

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