Indiana Notary Public — All Questions

What is the maximum fee an Indiana notary may charge for a standard, in-person notarial act?

• a.$2
• b.$10✓
• c.$25
• d.There is no limit

Indiana caps a standard in-person notarial act at $10. A notary may charge less or nothing, but not more. Remote notarizations are governed by separate fee rules under the remote-notary statute.Indiana Code Title 33, Art. 42; Indiana Notary Public Guide

How often must an Indiana notary complete continuing education during the commission?

• a.Never
• b.Only once at the start
• c.Every two years✓
• d.Every month

Indiana notaries must complete continuing education every two years during the eight-year commission, keeping them current on notarial law. Missing the required education can jeopardize the commission's good standing.Indiana Notary Public Guide (Indiana Secretary of State)

When must an Indiana notary refuse to perform a notarial act?

• a.When the notary has a disqualifying interest, or the signer is absent, unidentified, unwilling, or appears coerced✓
• b.Whenever the document is typed rather than handwritten
• c.Whenever the signer is under 25
• d.Whenever the fee is waived

A notary must refuse when they have a disqualifying interest in the transaction, when the signer does not personally appear, when identity cannot be confirmed, or when the signer appears unwilling, confused, or coerced. Impartiality and a competent, willing signer are required.Indiana Code Title 33, Art. 42; Indiana Notary Public Guide

A non-attorney Indiana notary is asked to explain the legal effect of a contract. What should the notary do?

• a.Give a short legal opinion
• b.Advertise as a 'notario publico'
• c.Refuse to notarize anything
• d.Decline to give legal advice and refer the signer to an attorney, while still able to perform the notarization✓

A non-attorney notary may not give legal advice or interpret a document's effect; that is the unauthorized practice of law. The notary declines to advise, refers the signer to a lawyer, and must not use the misleading title 'notario publico,' but may still perform the notarization itself.Indiana Code Title 33, Art. 42; Indiana Notary Public Guide