Wyoming Notary Public Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: May a Wyoming notary backdate an acknowledgment certificate?

Yes, to match the document's execution date
No, unless authorized by the Secretary of State
No, the date must reflect when the notarization actually occurred (Correct answer)
Yes, if the signer requests it

Correct answer: No, the date must reflect when the notarization actually occurred

Backdating a notarial certificate is prohibited and constitutes notarial misconduct in Wyoming.

Question 2: What does the notary verify when completing a jurat?

That the signer's identity matches two forms of ID
That the document is free of blanks or alterations
That the document has been notarized before in another state
That the signer signed in their presence and took an oath or affirmation about the document's truthfulness (Correct answer)

Correct answer: That the signer signed in their presence and took an oath or affirmation about the document's truthfulness

For a jurat, the notary witnesses the signing and administers an oath or affirmation that the document's contents are true and correct.

Question 3: According to Wyoming Statutes, what is the maximum fee a notary public may charge for performing a single traditional notarial act, such as taking an acknowledgment?

A reasonable fee determined by the notary.
$15.00
$10.00 (Correct answer)
$5.00

Correct answer: $10.00

Wyoming Statute 32-3-126(b)(i) explicitly states that a notarial officer may charge not more than ten dollars ($10.00) per notarial act.

Question 4: A newly commissioned Notary Public in Wyoming receives their Certificate of Commission from the Secretary of State. What is the standard term of a Wyoming Notary Public commission?

Six years (Correct answer)
Ten years
Four years
Two years

Correct answer: Six years

According to Wyoming statutes, a commission for a Notary Public is issued for a term of six years. This was an increase from the previous four-year term.

Question 5: A person asks a Wyoming notary to notarize a signature on a document. The signer explains they understand the document and are signing willingly, but the pre-printed notarial certificate is incomplete. What is the appropriate action for the notary?

Refuse to notarize until the signer can provide a document with a complete notarial certificate.
Perform the notarization but leave the certificate blank for the signer to fill in later.
Proceed with the notarization and simply sign and stamp the incomplete certificate.
Cross out the incomplete certificate and attach a completed, correct notarial certificate. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cross out the incomplete certificate and attach a completed, correct notarial certificate.

A Wyoming notary is prohibited from notarizing a document that does not have a complete notarial certificate. If the certificate is incomplete or incorrect, the notary should cross it out and attach a new, complete certificate that accurately reflects the notarial act performed.

Question 6: A non-attorney Wyoming notary is fluent in Spanish and advertises their services in a local Spanish-language newspaper. Which of the following actions constitutes a prohibited act?

Advertising notarial services in a language other than English.
Listing their hours of availability for performing notarial acts.
Including a schedule of the maximum fees allowed by Wyoming law in the advertisement.
Using the term "Notario Publico" in the advertisement to attract Spanish-speaking clients. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Using the term "Notario Publico" in the advertisement to attract Spanish-speaking clients.

Wyoming statute § 32-3-123(d) explicitly prohibits a notary public who is not an attorney from using the term "notario" or "notario publico". This is to prevent misleading the public into believing the notary can provide legal advice, as the term implies in many other countries.

Question 7: Which of the following would be a prohibited act for a Wyoming notary during the notarization process?

Accepting a handwritten letter as a notarial document.
Notarizing a document for someone who presents a valid form of ID.
Using a signature stamp in place of a manual signature. (Correct answer)
Performing notarizations remotely without registering for remote online notarization (RON). (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Using a signature stamp in place of a manual signature.

Wyoming notaries are required to personally sign their official notarial certificates with a manual, wet-ink signature. Using a signature stamp in place of a handwritten signature is generally prohibited because it compromises the authenticity and personal accountability associated with the notary's official act. This requirement ensures the notary's direct involvement and endorsement of the notarization.

Question 8: The Wyoming Secretary of State may deny a notary commission application for several reasons. Which of the following is a valid ground for denial?

A conviction for a misdemeanor traffic violation.
A felony conviction where civil rights have not been restored. (Correct answer)
A previous bankruptcy filing.
Failing to be a member of a professional organization.

Correct answer: A felony conviction where civil rights have not been restored.

Wyoming statutes explicitly state that an applicant can be disqualified for a felony conviction unless their civil rights have been restored. The other options are not listed as statutory grounds for denial of a notary commission.

Question 9: A Wyoming notary is recording an acknowledgment in their required journal. Which of the following pieces of information is a recommended best practice to include for each journal entry, as outlined by the Secretary of State?

The signer's occupation.
The signer's social security number.
The brand of pen used by the signer.
A detailed description of how the signer was identified. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A detailed description of how the signer was identified.

While Wyoming law mandates keeping a journal, the Secretary of State provides examples of what should be chronicled. This includes the date, type of notarization, document type, signer's name and signature, address, the fee, and a detailed description of how the signer was identified (e.g., personal knowledge, credible witness, or ID card details).

Question 10: What is a 'loose certificate' in notarial practice?

A certificate that has become detached and is invalid
An informal certificate without a seal
A certificate used only for copies
A separate notarial certificate page attached to the document (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A separate notarial certificate page attached to the document

A loose certificate is a standalone notarial certificate page that is stapled or attached to a document when the document itself has no certificate space.

Question 11: An applicant for a Wyoming Notary Public commission must meet several qualifications. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for commissioning?

Be a resident of Wyoming for at least one year prior to applying.
Be a registered voter in Wyoming.
Post a $5,000 surety bond with the Secretary of State.
Be at least 18 years of age. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Be at least 18 years of age.

Wyoming law requires a notary public applicant to be at least 18 years old. While residency or having a place of employment in the state is required, a one-year prior residency is not. Surety bonds are no longer required, and being a registered voter is not a qualification.

Question 12: What is the venue in a notarial certificate?

The address of the signer
The state and county where the notarization took place (Correct answer)
The notary's business address
The location where the document will be filed

Correct answer: The state and county where the notarization took place

The venue identifies the state and county in which the notarial act was performed, establishing jurisdiction.

Question 13: A signer appears before a Wyoming notary for an acknowledgment. The notary does not personally know the signer. Which of the following is an unacceptable method for the notary to identify the signer?

Viewing a personally recognized and trusted friend's social media profile picture to match the signer. (Correct answer)
Confirmation by a credible witness who personally knows both the notary and the signer.
Personal knowledge of the signer's identity from previous, unrelated business interactions.
Inspecting a valid, unexpired U.S. passport with a photograph and signature.

Correct answer: Viewing a personally recognized and trusted friend's social media profile picture to match the signer.

Wyoming law specifies three primary ways to identify a signer: the notary's personal knowledge, identification by a credible witness, or a valid identification document. A social media profile is not a secure or legally recognized form of identification for notarial acts.

Question 14: A Wyoming notary's official stamp was stolen. According to Wyoming law and administrative rules, what is the notary's IMMEDIATE required action upon discovering the theft?

File a report with the local police department within 24 hours.
Publish a notice in a local newspaper for one week.
Promptly notify the Wyoming Secretary of State. (Correct answer)
Order a new stamp and begin using it immediately.

Correct answer: Promptly notify the Wyoming Secretary of State.

Wyoming law (W.S. § 32-3-117) and administrative rules require a notary public to promptly notify the Secretary of State upon discovering that their stamping device is lost or stolen. While filing a police report is a good practice, the legally mandated first step is to inform the commissioning authority, the Secretary of State.

Question 15: When a Wyoming notary resigns their commission before its expiration date, what is the proper procedure for handling their official stamping device?

Sell it to another commissioned notary public.
Continue using it until the original expiration date.
Disable the stamping device by destroying or defacing it. (Correct answer)
Surrender it to the county clerk's office.

Correct answer: Disable the stamping device by destroying or defacing it.

According to Wyoming Statute 32-3-117, upon resignation, revocation, or expiration of a commission, the notary public must disable the stamping device by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing, or securing it in a manner that renders it unusable.

Question 16: Which of the following is NOT a mandatory element required to be within the border of a Wyoming notary's official rectangular stamp?

The notary's commission expiration date.
The notary's commission ID number.
The notary's county of residence. (Correct answer)
The words "Notary Public" and "State of Wyoming".

Correct answer: The notary's county of residence.

Wyoming law explicitly states that the notary's county of residence CANNOT be included on the official stamp. The required elements are the notary's name, "Notary Public," "State of Wyoming," the commission ID number, and "My commission expires (date)".

Question 17: A Wyoming notary works for a law firm that paid for their commission and supplies. The notary resigns from the firm. The employer insists on keeping the notary's journal because the notarizations were for company business. What is the correct course of action for the notary?

Make photocopies of the journal for the employer and take the original.
Leave the journal with the employer as it is company property.
Report the employer to the state bar association for attempting to retain legal records.
Surrender the journal to the employer only with approval from the Secretary of State. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Surrender the journal to the employer only with approval from the Secretary of State.

Wyoming Statute 32-3-118(g) states that a notary public shall not surrender the journal to an employer upon termination of employment without the approval of the Secretary of State. The journal is the property and responsibility of the notary, not the employer, regardless of who paid for it. An employer may, however, retain a copy.

Question 18: What is a notarial acknowledgment?

A formal declaration by a signer that they willingly signed a document (Correct answer)
A certified copy of an original document
A notary's verification of a signer's identity only
A sworn oath that the document content is true

Correct answer: A formal declaration by a signer that they willingly signed a document

An acknowledgment is a formal declaration by the document signer that they voluntarily executed the document.

Question 19: Which of the following is a specific requirement for the journal maintained by a Wyoming notary for remote online notarizations?

The journal must be in a paper format, with a printed screenshot of the signer attached to the entry.
The journal may be co-owned and shared with the employer if they paid for the RON platform.
The journal must be maintained in a secure electronic format and be tamper-evident. (Correct answer)
The journal entries for RONs must be submitted to the Secretary of State for review at the end of each calendar year.

Correct answer: The journal must be maintained in a secure electronic format and be tamper-evident.

Wyoming law mandates that notaries performing remote notarizations must keep a secure electronic journal. The technology used for this journal must be tamper-evident, meaning it is designed to make any alterations to an entry obvious.

Question 20: Regarding the commissioning process for both new and renewing notaries in Wyoming, what educational requirement must be met?

There are no education or exam requirements for renewal.
Attending a 6-hour in-person training seminar.
Passing a state-administered exam. (Correct answer)
Holding a paralegal certificate.

Correct answer: Passing a state-administered exam.

Both new and renewing notary applicants in Wyoming must pass a state-required examination. They can prepare by reviewing the official Notary Education Presentation or by taking a course from an approved vendor.

Question 21: When an applicant submits their Notary Public Commission Application to the Wyoming Secretary of State, what is one of the critical steps they must complete as part of the application form itself?

Provide three professional references.
Sign an Oath of Office in the presence of an existing notary. (Correct answer)
File a copy of the application with their local county clerk.
Submit fingerprints for a federal background check.

Correct answer: Sign an Oath of Office in the presence of an existing notary.

The Wyoming Notary Public Application form includes an Oath of Office. The applicant must sign this oath before a currently commissioned notary public, who then notarizes the applicant's signature on the form before it is submitted to the Secretary of State.

Question 22: Can a notary add acknowledgment wording to a document after the fact without the signer present?

Yes, as long as the seal is applied the same day
Yes, if the notary remembers the signer appeared
No, the signer must be present when the certificate is completed (Correct answer)
No, but the notary may call the signer to confirm

Correct answer: No, the signer must be present when the certificate is completed

A notarial certificate must be completed at the time of the notarial act with the signer personally present.

Question 23: Is a Wyoming notary required by law to maintain a journal of notarial acts?

Only when performing remote online notarizations.
No, Wyoming law does not require a notary journal, but it is recommended. (Correct answer)
Only for notarizations involving real estate transactions.
Yes, a journal is mandatory for all notarial acts.

Correct answer: No, Wyoming law does not require a notary journal, but it is recommended.

Wyoming law, specifically W.S. 32-1-105(c), states that a notary public *may* maintain a journal of notarial acts, but it is not legally mandatory. While not required by statute, keeping a journal is strongly recommended as a best practice. It provides a valuable record for the notary's protection and for potential legal or investigative purposes.

Question 24: An individual lives in a town in Montana that borders Wyoming. They work full-time at a company located in Sheridan, Wyoming. Based on Wyoming's qualification rules, are they eligible to become a Wyoming Notary Public?

Yes, because they have a place of employment within Wyoming. (Correct answer)
No, because they must be a legal resident of Wyoming.
No, because notaries cannot work across state lines.
Yes, but only if they notarize documents exclusively for their employer.

Correct answer: Yes, because they have a place of employment within Wyoming.

Wyoming law allows an individual to qualify for a notary commission if they are a resident of Wyoming OR have a place of employment or practice in the state. Since the individual works in Wyoming, they meet the eligibility criteria.

Question 25: Which of the following best describes the correct process for copy certification in Wyoming?

The notary signs the copy without reviewing any original document
The notary compares the copy to the original, then completes a certificate attesting to its accuracy (Correct answer)
The notary sends both copy and original to the Secretary of State for authentication
The notary takes an oath from the document owner that the copy is accurate

Correct answer: The notary compares the copy to the original, then completes a certificate attesting to its accuracy

The proper process requires the notary to physically compare the copy to the original document and then complete and sign a certificate stating the copy is accurate.

Question 26: A client asks a Wyoming notary to notarize their signatures on four separate loan documents. The notary performs an acknowledgment on each of the four documents. Excluding any travel or other fees, what is the maximum amount the notary can charge for these notarial acts?

$10.00, as it is a single appointment.
An amount agreed upon with the signer.
$40.00, as the fee is per notarial act. (Correct answer)
$20.00, as a discount is required for multiple documents.

Correct answer: $40.00, as the fee is per notarial act.

Wyoming law permits a notary to charge up to $10.00 for each notarial act performed. Since four separate acknowledgments were completed, the notary may charge up to $10.00 for each, for a total of $40.00.

Question 27: Who must be personally present for a standard acknowledgment in Wyoming?

The notary's supervising attorney
Both the signer and all witnesses
The document signer (Correct answer)
The document's intended recipient

Correct answer: The document signer

Only the document signer needs to personally appear before the notary for an acknowledgment.

Question 28: What is the Wyoming Secretary of State's role regarding notary publics?

To provide insurance bonds for all commissioned notaries
To set maximum fees for notarial acts
To commission notaries, establish rules, and investigate misconduct complaints (Correct answer)
To train and certify notaries through mandatory courses

Correct answer: To commission notaries, establish rules, and investigate misconduct complaints

The Wyoming Secretary of State is the commissioning authority for notaries and has the power to establish rules and investigate or discipline notaries for misconduct.

Question 29: Regarding the physical security of a notary journal, Wyoming law requires the notary to:

Keep it in a secure area under the notary's sole control. (Correct answer)
File it with the county clerk at the end of each calendar year.
Store it in a bank's safe deposit box.
Allow their employer to inspect it upon demand.

Correct answer: Keep it in a secure area under the notary's sole control.

Wyoming Statute 32-3-118(f) explicitly states that a notary public is responsible for the security of their journal and must keep it in a secure area under their sole control. This prevents unauthorized access and protects the private information of the signers recorded within it.

Question 30: A Wyoming notary could face which of the following penalties for committing notarial misconduct?

Revocation of the notary commission. (Correct answer)
Disqualification from renewing their commission. (Correct answer)
A fine of up to $10,000.
Criminal charges. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Revocation of the notary commission.

Notarial misconduct in Wyoming can lead to severe penalties, reflecting the importance of a notary's role in preventing fraud. Revocation of the notary commission is a primary consequence, meaning the individual permanently loses their authority to perform notarial acts. This penalty is imposed to protect the public from fraudulent or negligent notarial practices.

Wyoming Notary Public Exam

The Wyoming state-required notary exam tests knowledge of Wyoming notary law, notarial procedures, ethical responsibilities, stamp and journal requirements, and proper conduct for notaries public commissioned in Wyoming.

Questions

50 min

Time Limit

70%

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