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Maine Notary Public Exam Cram Sheet (2026)
The highest-yield points on the Maine Notary Publicexam, grouped by the exam's real content areas. Print it, review the ones you keep missing, then drill them with free practice questions.
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5content areas
Notarial Acts and Certificates
26% of the exam- An acknowledgment certifies the identified signer appeared and acknowledged signing voluntarily.
- A jurat certifies the signer signed in the notary's presence and swore or affirmed the statement is true.
- Maine notaries may solemnize (perform) marriages, a power most states do not grant notaries.
- Choosing the notarial act for a signer is the unauthorized practice of law.
- A jurat requires an oath or affirmation; an acknowledgment does not.
- For a jurat the signer must sign in front of the notary.
- An oath and affirmation carry equal legal weight.
- Both acts require identifying the signer.
- Personal appearance is required for every notarization.
- Remote acts require an approved audio-video platform with identity verification.
- An email, phone vouch, or reputation never satisfies personal appearance.
- State the venue and the date of the act.
- Sign the certificate and identify the notary's title and commission expiration date.
- Maine does not require a thumbprint; never record a Social Security number.
- Never include a legal opinion in the certificate.
Identifying the Signer
18% of the exam- Personal knowledge means the notary knows the individual well enough to have no reasonable doubt.
- Satisfactory evidence means an acceptable ID or the oath of a credible witness.
- A signer stating their own name is never sufficient.
- A current government photo ID with a signature and identifying number qualifies: passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID.
- Shopper cards, Social Security cards, and utility bills do not qualify.
- The ID should be current so its features can be confirmed.
- The witness must personally know the signer and be known to or identified by the notary.
- The notary must place the witness under oath before relying on them.
- A witness should have no financial interest in the transaction.
- If identity cannot be established, the notary must refuse the act.
Records and Official Stamp
18% of the exam- Keeping a journal of notarial acts is strongly recommended as the notary's record.
- A good journal is the best defense if an act is later questioned.
- Remote (online) notaries must keep records of their electronic acts.
- Do not store unnecessary sensitive data such as account numbers.
- The stamp shows the notary's name, title as a Maine notary public, and commission expiration date.
- The notary signs the certificate together with affixing the stamp.
- The impression must be legible and reproducible on the document.
- The stamp never contains the signer's information.
- Keep the stamp and records secure and under the notary's control.
- Report a lost or stolen stamp promptly and obtain a replacement.
- When the commission ends, dispose of the stamp so it cannot be misused.
Commission, Oath, and the Exam
18% of the exam- An applicant must be at least 18 and able to read and write English.
- The applicant must generally reside in Maine, or reside in an adjacent state while employed or doing business in Maine.
- The commission is valid for seven years.
- Citizenship, property ownership, and a law license are not required.
- After the application is approved, a commission certificate is issued.
- The applicant has 30 days to appear before a Dedimus Justice to take the oath of office.
- Only after taking the oath may the notary begin performing acts.
- New applicants complete an examination as part of the application.
- Renewing notaries take an online examination based on the state's Course of Study.
- Maine does not publish a fixed percentage passing threshold, so none should be stated as official.
- Study the Course of Study and handbook rather than a fixed set of items.
Prohibited Acts, Fees, and Liability
20% of the exam- Follow the current Maine handbook rather than assuming a single fixed cap.
- Disclose any fee to the signer before performing the act.
- Confirm current fee rules with the Secretary of State when in doubt.
- Record any fee charged in the journal.
- A notary may not act as a party to, or with a financial interest in, the transaction beyond the fee.
- Disclosure does not cure a disqualifying interest; the notary must decline.
- A notary must refuse when the signer is absent, unidentified, unwilling, or coerced.
- Do not give legal advice or predict how a document will fare in court.
- Do not choose the notarial certificate for the signer.
- Do not advertise as a legal expert or use a misleading title.
- Knowingly making a false certificate can bring civil liability and criminal charges.
- The Secretary of State may investigate and revoke a commission for cause.
- The notary remains personally responsible for harm caused by misconduct.
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Study aid, not a substitute for the official material — always confirm the current rule with Maine Secretary of State — Notaries Public. Last verified: August 2026.