Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam — All Questions

Is a journal mandatory for Pennsylvania notaries?

• a.No, it is optional
• b.Yes—a journal (register) of every official act is required✓
• c.Only for real-property acts
• d.Only for attorneys

Pennsylvania is a mandatory-journal state: RULONA requires the notary to keep a journal recording each official act at the time it is performed. Only one journal may be active at a time. This distinguishes PA from states where journaling is optional.

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

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.

How long must a Pennsylvania notary generally retain the journal?

• a.At least ten years after the last entry✓
• b.30 days
• c.One year
• d.Until the next commission

The journal must be retained for the period required by law—generally at least ten years after the last entry—and kept secure under the notary's exclusive control. If lost or stolen, the notary must notify the Department of State.

A Pennsylvania notary's journal is stolen. What must the notary do?

• a.Notify the Department of State✓
• b.Do nothing until audited
• c.Buy an identical replacement and continue
• d.Notify only the signer

If the mandatory journal is lost or stolen, the Pennsylvania notary must notify the Department of State. The journal is a critical, secured record of official acts; prompt notice helps guard against fraud and documents the loss.