West Virginia Notary Public Knowledge Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which practice best protects a West Virginia notary against fee disputes?

Only accepting cash with no receipts
Recording the fee charged for each act in the notary's journal or records (Correct answer)
Charging every client a different undisclosed rate
Refusing to discuss fees with signers

Correct answer: Recording the fee charged for each act in the notary's journal or records

Documenting the fee for each act creates a record that resolves later disagreements.

Question 2: Where should a notary store the journal when it is not in use?

On the shared office reception desk
In the employer's general filing room accessible to all staff
In the notary's unlocked car
In a secure location under the notary's exclusive control, such as a locked drawer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In a secure location under the notary's exclusive control, such as a locked drawer

The journal contains records of official acts and personal information, so it should be secured under the notary's sole control.

Question 3: During an acknowledgment, the notary observes the signer being pressured and berated by an accompanying relative. The notary should:

Proceed since willingness is not the notary's concern
Refuse or pause the notarization because the signature may not be voluntarily made (Correct answer)
Ask the relative to co-sign the document
Proceed but write 'under duress' in the certificate

Correct answer: Refuse or pause the notarization because the signature may not be voluntarily made

An acknowledgment certifies the signature was made voluntarily, so evident coercion requires the notary to decline or stop.

Question 4: Which element belongs in a properly completed West Virginia acknowledgment certificate?

A statement that the signer personally appeared and acknowledged executing the document (Correct answer)
A certification that the document is a true copy
A statement that the signer swore the contents are true
A promise that the document will be recorded

Correct answer: A statement that the signer personally appeared and acknowledged executing the document

An acknowledgment certifies appearance, identification, and the signer's acknowledgment of the signature—not the truth of contents.

Question 5: How does verifying identity for an oath or affirmation differ from verifying identity for an acknowledgment in West Virginia?

Oaths require two forms of ID
Oaths may rely on the signer's self-declaration alone
Acknowledgments never require identification
It does not differ; the same satisfactory-evidence standard applies to both acts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It does not differ; the same satisfactory-evidence standard applies to both acts

West Virginia applies the same identification standard of personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence to all notarial acts requiring identification.

Question 6: A notary is presented with an ID whose photo barely resembles the signer, and the signature looks different. The best course of action is to:

Proceed because the ID is government-issued
Accept a second, expired ID to resolve the doubt
Notarize and note the discrepancy in the certificate
Decline the notarization unless identity can be satisfactorily established another lawful way (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Decline the notarization unless identity can be satisfactorily established another lawful way

The notary must have satisfactory evidence of identity and should refuse when reasonable doubt remains.

Question 7: Under West Virginia law, how long must the audio-video recording of a remote online notarization session be retained?

5 years (Correct answer)
10 years
3 years
1 year

Correct answer: 5 years

West Virginia requires that the audio-video recording of a remote online notarization be retained for a minimum of five years.

Question 8: A West Virginia notary performs five notarizations in one day. How should the journal entries be made?

In whatever order is convenient, weeks later
Only for the acts the notary considers important
All at once at the end of the month
Chronologically, at the time of each notarization (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Chronologically, at the time of each notarization

Entries should be made contemporaneously and in chronological order so the journal is a reliable real-time record.

Question 9: Which recordkeeping habit best supports a West Virginia notary who charges fees for both in-person and remote online acts?

Recording fees only when the signer pays cash
Relying on memory for all transactions
Tracking remote fees but not in-person fees
Noting the type of act and the fee charged for every notarization performed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Noting the type of act and the fee charged for every notarization performed

Consistent per-act fee records prove compliance with the different in-person and remote caps.

Question 10: A caller asks a West Virginia notary to certify that a photocopy of a birth certificate is a true copy. The notary should:

Decline, because vital records copies must be certified by the issuing agency (Correct answer)
Certify the copy after comparing it to the original
Certify it only if the copy is in color
Notarize the caller's signature on the photocopy itself

Correct answer: Decline, because vital records copies must be certified by the issuing agency

Publicly recorded vital records like birth certificates cannot be copy-certified by a notary; certified copies must come from the record custodian.

Question 11: Which state authority is responsible for approving remote online notarization platforms used by West Virginia notaries?

The West Virginia Secretary of State (Correct answer)
The West Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
The West Virginia Bar Association

Correct answer: The West Virginia Secretary of State

The West Virginia Secretary of State oversees and approves the technology platforms that notaries may use to conduct remote online notarizations.

Question 12: Can a notary use an electronic seal?

Only for government documents
No, only ink stamps are acceptable
Yes, if the state authorizes electronic notarization and the seal meets state requirements (Correct answer)
Only with special permission from the governor

Correct answer: Yes, if the state authorizes electronic notarization and the seal meets state requirements

Many states now authorize electronic seals for electronic notarizations, provided the seal meets state-specific technical requirements for security and tamper-evidence.

Question 13: Under West Virginia law, is a paper notary journal required for standard paper notarizations?

It is required only when the fee exceeds $5
It is not required by statute, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice (Correct answer)
It is required only for acknowledgments
It is required for all notarizations without exception

Correct answer: It is not required by statute, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice

West Virginia does not statutorily require a journal for traditional notarizations, but keeping one is a widely recommended best practice for legal protection.

Question 14: What is the main risk of failing to keep any record of notarial acts?

The notary will be paid lower fees
The notary has no evidence to defend against claims of fraud or improper notarization (Correct answer)
The signer inherits the notary's liability
Documents become automatically invalid

Correct answer: The notary has no evidence to defend against claims of fraud or improper notarization

Without records, a notary accused of misconduct has little proof that the act was performed correctly.

Question 15: A notary who is the treasurer of a local charity is asked to notarize a donor's gift agreement benefiting the charity, from which the notary receives no personal gain. May she notarize under West Virginia law?

No, because charity documents require the Secretary of State
Yes, because she has no personal direct beneficial interest and is not a party (Correct answer)
No, because officers of any involved organization are always disqualified
Yes, but only after resigning her treasurer position

Correct answer: Yes, because she has no personal direct beneficial interest and is not a party

Disqualification requires the notary personally to be a party or have a direct beneficial interest, which an unpaid officer role alone does not create.

Question 16: Which of the following should a notary record about how a signer was identified?

Nothing, since identification is not part of the record
The type of identification presented, such as a driver's license, without copying sensitive numbers in full (Correct answer)
A photocopy of the signer's entire wallet contents
The signer's mother's maiden name

Correct answer: The type of identification presented, such as a driver's license, without copying sensitive numbers in full

Noting the method or type of identification documents how identity was verified without exposing sensitive data.

Question 17: How long must a notary retain their journal records?

30 days after each notarization
Only during the current commission term
For the period specified by state law, typically 7-10 years after the last entry (Correct answer)
No retention requirement exists

Correct answer: For the period specified by state law, typically 7-10 years after the last entry

Most states require notaries to retain their journals for a specified period, often 7-10 years, to allow for future reference and investigation of notarial acts.

Question 18: A notary performs one jurat and one acknowledgment for the same signer in one visit. What is the maximum total the notary may charge for these in-person acts?

$35, using the remote rate for one act
$15, splitting the difference
$20, because each act may be billed up to $10 (Correct answer)
$10, because it was a single visit

Correct answer: $20, because each act may be billed up to $10

A jurat and an acknowledgment are two separate notarial acts, each subject to the $10 cap.

Question 19: If a West Virginia notary who is authorized for RON moves to another state, which of the following is true regarding their ability to perform RON?

They may perform RON remotely as long as they log into the WV Secretary of State portal
They may continue performing RON for WV residents from their new state
They retain RON authority for 90 days after relocation to allow time to re-register
Their WV notary commission and RON authorization terminate, and they must obtain a commission in their new state (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Their WV notary commission and RON authorization terminate, and they must obtain a commission in their new state

A WV notary commission requires the notary to be a WV resident or meet residency requirements; relocating out of state terminates the commission and RON authority.

Question 20: After administering an oath for an affidavit, the notary notices the affiant never actually signed the document. The notary should:

Attach a note explaining the missing signature
Complete the certificate anyway since the oath was given
Sign the affiant's name on their behalf
Have the affiant sign in the notary's presence before completing the jurat certificate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Have the affiant sign in the notary's presence before completing the jurat certificate

A jurat requires both the oath and the signature made in the notary's presence before the certificate is completed.

Question 21: A West Virginia notary who co-owns a small business is asked to notarize a loan agreement in which the business is the borrower. May she notarize?

Yes, because the business is a separate legal entity
No, unless the lender waives the conflict
No, because as co-owner she has a direct beneficial interest in the loan (Correct answer)
Yes, if the other owner signs instead of her

Correct answer: No, because as co-owner she has a direct beneficial interest in the loan

An ownership stake means the notary directly benefits from the loan, creating a disqualifying interest.

Question 22: A signer cannot afford the notary's fee. Which response by the notary is appropriate?

Performing the act and suing the signer later
Waiving or reducing the fee at the notary's discretion (Correct answer)
Reporting the signer to the Secretary of State
Adding the unpaid fee to a future notarization

Correct answer: Waiving or reducing the fee at the notary's discretion

Because fees are optional, a notary may freely waive or reduce them for any signer.

Question 23: Under West Virginia law, what should a notary do if she believes a signer is being coerced into signing?

Perform it if the document is otherwise complete
Ask the coercing party to leave, then proceed regardless
Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
Perform the notarization but report it afterward

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization

A West Virginia notary must refuse to act if the signer does not appear to be signing knowingly and voluntarily.

Question 24: Which of the following notarial acts CAN be performed via remote online notarization in West Virginia?

Taking an acknowledgment on a real estate deed (Correct answer)
Administering an oath in a WV court proceeding requiring physical presence
Witnessing a will signature when two physical witnesses are required by WV probate law
Certifying a copy of a vital record from the state registrar

Correct answer: Taking an acknowledgment on a real estate deed

Taking an acknowledgment is a standard notarial act that WV law permits to be performed remotely via RON, subject to proper identity verification and platform requirements.

Question 25: A remote online notarization is performed for a signer the West Virginia notary has never met. Which identification method is typically required?

A faxed copy of the signer's license
The signer holding their ID up to the camera only
An email from the signer's employer
Identity proofing and credential analysis through approved technology (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Identity proofing and credential analysis through approved technology

Remote notarization requires identity proofing (such as knowledge-based authentication) and credential analysis of the signer's ID through approved technology.

Question 26: A West Virginia notary is a named beneficiary in a will she is asked to notarize. What should she do?

Decline and refer the testator to another notary (Correct answer)
Notarize it because wills are exempt from conflict rules
Cross her name out of the will and then notarize
Notarize it and disclose her interest verbally

Correct answer: Decline and refer the testator to another notary

A direct beneficial interest, such as being a beneficiary, disqualifies the notary, who should decline and refer the signer elsewhere.

Question 27: Under West Virginia's remote online notarization rules, what happens to the electronic notarial certificate when the document is stored as part of the RON record?

The certificate is permanently attached to or logically associated with the electronic document (Correct answer)
The certificate is voided and replaced by the audio-video recording as the sole record
The certificate is stored separately from the document in the RON platform's archive
The certificate is printed and mailed to the WV Secretary of State within 10 days

Correct answer: The certificate is permanently attached to or logically associated with the electronic document

The electronic notarial certificate must be permanently attached to or logically associated with the electronic document so that they cannot be separated, maintaining the integrity of the notarized record.

Question 28: Can a notary refuse to notarize if the signer cannot pay?

Only if the document is non-essential
No, notarization must always be provided regardless of payment
Yes, a notary is not required to perform notarizations for free (Correct answer)
Only government employees must notarize for free

Correct answer: Yes, a notary is not required to perform notarizations for free

A notary is a private service provider (even if commissioned by the state) and may decline service if the fee is not paid, unless they are a government employee required to provide free notarizations.

Question 29: What should a notary do with their journal when their commission ends?

Post it publicly for transparency
Discard it immediately
Follow state law regarding storage, transfer to the state, or destruction (Correct answer)
Give it to the next notary who takes their position

Correct answer: Follow state law regarding storage, transfer to the state, or destruction

State law dictates journal disposition when a commission ends. Some states require submission to the Secretary of State, while others require secure storage or supervised destruction.

Question 30: Which notarial act requires the signer to make a signature in the notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation about the truthfulness of the contents?

Copy certification
Acknowledgment
Signature witnessing without oath
Verification on oath or affirmation (jurat) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Verification on oath or affirmation (jurat)

A jurat requires signing in the notary's presence plus an oath or affirmation that the statement is true.

Question 31: Which body in West Virginia is primarily concerned with prosecuting or restraining the unauthorized practice of law?

The local chamber of commerce
The West Virginia State Bar and the courts (Correct answer)
The county clerk's office
The notary's bonding company

Correct answer: The West Virginia State Bar and the courts

The State Bar and the courts oversee and act against the unauthorized practice of law in West Virginia.

Question 32: Which situation is a permissible notarization for a West Virginia notary?

Notarizing a signature faxed in by a longtime client
Notarizing the notary's own signature on an affidavit
Notarizing for a stranger with valid ID who appears in person at the notary's office (Correct answer)
Notarizing a document in which the notary is named as a party

Correct answer: Notarizing for a stranger with valid ID who appears in person at the notary's office

A disinterested notary may notarize for any signer who personally appears and is properly identified.

Question 33: A West Virginia notary is offered a percentage of a sale's proceeds in exchange for notarizing the sales contract. Accepting would create what?

A direct beneficial interest disqualifying her from the notarization (Correct answer)
A standard notarial fee arrangement
A permissible bonus payment
A tax reporting issue only

Correct answer: A direct beneficial interest disqualifying her from the notarization

Compensation contingent on the transaction's completion gives the notary a direct beneficial interest and disqualifies her.

Question 34: If the audio-video connection is disrupted or lost during a remote online notarization in West Virginia, the notary should:

Proceed with the notarization and note the disruption in the journal
Ask the signer to mail a notarized copy of their identification
Halt the session and restart once a clear, continuous connection is reestablished (Correct answer)
Complete the notarization via telephone audio only to avoid delay

Correct answer: Halt the session and restart once a clear, continuous connection is reestablished

A continuous, clear audio-video connection is required throughout the RON session; if it is lost, the notary must stop and only proceed after a proper connection is restored.

Question 35: What journal entry information must a West Virginia notary record for each remote online notarization performed?

The signer's full social security number and date of birth
The date, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name, identity verification method used, and fee charged (Correct answer)
A screenshot of the audio-video session is sufficient in place of a written journal entry
Only the signer's name and the date of the notarization

Correct answer: The date, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name, identity verification method used, and fee charged

WV notaries must record comprehensive information for each RON entry, including the notarial act type, document, signer identity, verification method, and fee, providing a full audit trail.

Question 36: A signer's appearance has changed dramatically since their ID photo was taken. What is the notary's best practice?

Have the signer take a new photo on the spot
Notarize since the ID is government-issued
Compare the signature, physical details, and ask questions until reasonably certain of identity, or request additional ID (Correct answer)
Refuse automatically since the photo differs

Correct answer: Compare the signature, physical details, and ask questions until reasonably certain of identity, or request additional ID

The notary should use all features of the credential and may require additional identification until reasonably assured of the signer's identity.

Question 37: A signer objects to swearing an oath for religious reasons. The West Virginia notary should:

Refuse to perform the notarization
Require the signer to find a different notary
Offer an affirmation, which has the same legal effect without religious reference (Correct answer)
Perform the jurat without any oath or affirmation

Correct answer: Offer an affirmation, which has the same legal effect without religious reference

An affirmation is a legally equivalent, secular alternative to an oath.

Question 38: A notary is asked to backdate a journal entry to match a document signed last week. What must the notary do?

Leave the date blank so anyone can fill it in later
Backdate it if the employer approves in writing
Backdate it if the signer insists
Refuse, because journal entries must reflect the actual date of the notarial act (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse, because journal entries must reflect the actual date of the notarial act

Backdating a journal entry is falsification of an official record and must be refused.

Question 39: Where must a West Virginia notary be physically located when performing a remote online notarization?

At an approved notarization center anywhere in the world
Within West Virginia (Correct answer)
In the same county as the signer
In the United States, but any state

Correct answer: Within West Virginia

A WV notary must be physically located within the state of West Virginia at the time of performing a remote online notarization, regardless of where the signer is located.

Question 40: Before performing a notarization for pay, what should a West Virginia notary do regarding the fee?

Collect payment only after the signer leaves
Keep the amount confidential until the act is complete
Bill the signer's employer automatically
Disclose the fee to the signer before performing the act (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Disclose the fee to the signer before performing the act

Best practice and fair-dealing rules require telling the signer the fee up front so they can consent.

West Virginia Notary Public Knowledge Assessment

Tests knowledge of West Virginia notary laws, notarial acts, remote online notarization, journal requirements, fees, and prohibited conduct as outlined in W. Va. Code § 39-4-1 et seq. and the WV Secretary of State Notary Handbook.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

70%

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