Maine Notary Public — All Questions

How long is a Maine notary public commission valid?

• a.2 years
• b.4 years
• c.7 years✓
• d.10 years

A Maine notary commission is valid for seven years, longer than most states. To keep serving, the notary must renew and, at renewal, pass the online examination based on the state's Course of Study.4 M.R.S. Ch. 19 (notaries public); Maine Notary Public Handbook

After Maine approves a notary application, how is the new notary sworn in?

• a.By mailing a signed form to the Governor
• b.By appearing before a Dedimus Justice within 30 days to take the oath of office✓
• c.By taking the oath online instantly
• d.No oath is required in Maine

Once a Maine application is approved and the commission certificate is issued, the applicant has 30 days to appear before a Dedimus Justice to take the prescribed oath of office. Only after taking the oath may the notary begin to act.4 M.R.S. Sec. 1922(3) (oath); Maine Notary Public Handbook

Which is a qualification to become a Maine notary public?

• a.Be at least 18, be able to read and write English, and be a Maine resident (or reside in an adjacent state while employed or doing business in Maine)✓
• b.Be a U.S. citizen who owns property in Maine
• c.Hold a law license
• d.Be at least 25 years old

A Maine applicant must be at least 18, be able to read and write English, and generally reside in Maine, or reside in an adjacent state while regularly employed or doing business in Maine. Citizenship, property ownership, and a law license are not required.4 M.R.S. Ch. 19; Maine Notary Public Handbook

Which statement about the Maine notary exam is correct?

• a.There is no exam in Maine
• b.It is always a proctored, in-person, closed-book test
• c.It requires a fixed 90% score set by statute
• d.New applicants complete an examination as part of the application, and renewing notaries take an online examination based on the state's Course of Study✓

Maine handles testing through the application: new applicants complete an examination as part of applying, while renewing notaries take an online Notary Public Examination based on the Course of Study. Maine does not publish a fixed percentage threshold, so a study program should not state one as official.Maine Secretary of State — Notary Public Examination and Course of Study