Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam exam like?+
About 30 questions, and you need 75% to pass. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
Are these the real exam questions?+
No. Every question is 100% original, written from public primary sources with explanations. We never copy real exam questions or paid prep material.
Can I study in Chinese or Spanish?+
PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Sample practice questions
A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Acts
Under Pennsylvania's RULONA, what term is used for what other states call a 'jurat'?
- a.Copy certification
- b.Acknowledgment
- c.Verification on oath or affirmation
- d.Protest
Answer: c
Explanation: RULONA calls the jurat a 'verification on oath or affirmation': the signer swears the statement is true and signs in the notary's presence. An acknowledgment only confirms voluntary signing. Knowing RULONA's terminology is a common Pennsylvania exam point.
- 2. Acts
In a Pennsylvania acknowledgment, the signer:
- a.Declares they signed the record voluntarily
- b.Swears the contents are true under oath
- c.Must sign in the notary's presence
- d.Provides a thumbprint
Answer: a
Explanation: In an acknowledgment the signer declares they executed the record voluntarily; the record may already be signed. A verification (jurat) is what requires signing in the notary's presence plus an oath that the contents are true. Selecting the act is the signer's or document's role.
- 3. Id
Under RULONA, satisfactory evidence of identity may be established by:
- a.The signer's spoken name only
- b.A current government photo ID with signature, or a credible witness
- c.A utility bill
- d.A social media profile
Answer: b
Explanation: RULONA accepts a current government-issued ID bearing the individual's photograph and signature, or a credible witness who personally knows the individual and is known to the notary or identified by ID. The individual must personally appear at the time of the act.
- 4. Id
For a Pennsylvania notarial act, when must the individual appear before the notary?
- a.Within 24 hours after signing
- b.Never, if ID is mailed
- c.At the time of the notarial act
- d.Only for verifications
Answer: c
Explanation: RULONA requires personal appearance at the time of the notarial act for both traditional and remote (audio-video) notarizations. A notary cannot notarize a signature for someone who did not appear—mailing in ID or a signed document is not appearance.
- 5. Journal
Which detail must a Pennsylvania journal entry include?
- a.The signer's income
- b.The notary's home value
- c.The date/time, type of act, individual's name, and how identity was verified
- d.Nothing specific
Answer: c
Explanation: A Pennsylvania journal entry records the date and time, the type of act, a description of the record, the individual's name and address, how identity was verified, and the fee charged—made at the time of the act. Complete entries protect the notary and the public.
- 6. Prohibited
A Pennsylvania notary who is not an attorney advises a client on which legal form to use. This is:
- a.A required service
- b.Permitted for a fee
- c.The unauthorized practice of law and prohibited
- d.Only allowed for RON
Answer: c
Explanation: Advising which legal document or act to use is the unauthorized practice of law for a non-attorney notary. It can lead to discipline and liability. The notary may complete the notarial certificate but must not give legal advice.
- 7. Commission
What bond amount must a Pennsylvania notary obtain?
- a.$1,000
- b.$10,000
- c.$50,000
- d.No bond is required
Answer: b
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires a $10,000 surety bond. After the commission issues, the notary must record the commission and signature with the recorder of deeds in the county of their business address before performing notarial acts.
- 8. Fees
Under the Pennsylvania fee schedule, the maximum fee for taking an acknowledgment is:
- a.$2
- b.$5
- c.$15
- d.Unlimited
Answer: b
Explanation: The Pennsylvania Department of State fee schedule caps the acknowledgment fee (for example, $5), with set maximums for oaths, verifications, and certifications. A notary may not exceed the scheduled maximum but may waive fees. Always verify the current schedule.
- 9. Seal
Which is a required element of the Pennsylvania notary seal?
- a.The signer's photo
- b.The notary's home phone
- c.The notary's name as commissioned, 'Notary Public,' county, commission expiration, and commission ID number
- d.The county sheriff's name
Answer: c
Explanation: The Pennsylvania seal must show the notary's name exactly as commissioned, 'Notary Public,' the county where the notary maintains an office, the commission expiration date, the commission identification number, and the Commonwealth designation, and be photographically reproducible.
- 10. Enotary
To perform remote online notarizations in Pennsylvania, a notary must:
- a.Do nothing extra
- b.Notify the Department of State, use approved audio-video technology, and keep an A/V recording
- c.Move to another state
- d.Stop keeping a journal
Answer: b
Explanation: A Pennsylvania notary must notify the Department of State of intent to perform electronic/remote acts, identify the approved technology, use identity proofing/credential analysis, and retain an audio-video recording. The mandatory journal duty extends to these acts.