California Notary Public Practice Test

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1. 1. Duties & Powers

   What is the required amount of a California notary public's official bond?

   • a.$10,000
   • b.$100,000
   • c.$25,000
   • d.$15,000

   Respuesta: d

   Explicación: California Government Code §8212 requires every notary to file a $15,000 bond. The bond protects members of the public who are harmed by the notary's misconduct, not the notary personally. A notary who is sued on the bond must reimburse the surety.

   Fuente: CA Government Code §8212

2. 2. Duties & Powers

   May a California notary notarize his or her own signature?

   • a.No, a notary can never notarize his or her own signature
   • b.Yes, if the notary is a party to the document
   • c.Yes, for real property documents only
   • d.Yes, if a witness is present

   Respuesta: a

   Explicación: A notary may never notarize their own signature because the notary cannot impartially verify their own identity and act. Doing so is a prohibited act that can lead to discipline and revocation of the commission.

   Fuente: CA Government Code §8214.1

3. 3. Duties & Powers

   If an employer pays for a notary's commission, seal, and journal, who owns the journal?

   • a.The notary, who must keep and control the journal personally
   • b.The employer
   • c.The county clerk
   • d.The Secretary of State

   Respuesta: a

   Explicación: Regardless of who pays the costs, the notary personally owns and controls the sequential journal and seal. The employer may not keep the journal, and the notary must take the journal upon leaving the job.

   Fuente: CA Government Code §8206

4. 4. Notarial Acts

   What is a key difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?

   • a.An acknowledgment requires an oath but a jurat does not
   • b.A jurat requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence and take an oath; an acknowledgment does not require an oath
   • c.A jurat can be done by mail
   • d.There is no difference

   Respuesta: b

   Explicación: For a jurat, the signer must sign in front of the notary and swear or affirm to the truth of the document. For an acknowledgment, the signer need only acknowledge a prior signature and takes no oath.

   Fuente: CA Government Code §8202

5. 5. Notarial Acts

   When a signer executes a document with a mark (such as an X) instead of a signature, what does California require?

   • a.The notary signs for the person
   • b.The document must be rejected
   • c.Two witnesses: the signer makes the mark, one witness writes the signer's name near the mark, and both witnesses sign the notary journal
   • d.Nothing extra

   Respuesta: c

   Explicación: For a signature by mark, the signer makes the mark, one witness writes the signer's name beside it, and a second witness observes. Both witnesses also sign the notary's journal, allowing a person who cannot write to execute a document.

   Fuente: CA Civil Code §14

6. 6. Notarial Acts

   Why is direct communication between the notary and the signer important?

   • a.To set the fee
   • b.The notary must be able to identify the signer and confirm willingness without a translator acting as intermediary
   • c.It is not important
   • d.So the notary can translate the document

   Respuesta: b

   Explicación: The notary must communicate directly with the signer to verify identity, awareness, and willingness. Relying on a third-party translator introduces risk of miscommunication or coercion, so the notary should decline if direct communication is impossible.

   Fuente: CA Civil Code §1185

7. 7. Identification

   Which of the following is an acceptable identification document in California?

   • a.A credit card
   • b.A birth certificate
   • c.A Social Security card
   • d.A current California driver's license or DMV-issued ID card

   Respuesta: d

   Explicación: A current California driver's license or state ID card issued by the DMV is a primary acceptable ID. Social Security cards, birth certificates, and credit cards are not acceptable because they lack the required photo, signature, and description.

   Fuente: CA Civil Code §1185

8. 8. Identification

   May a person with a direct financial interest in the transaction serve as a credible witness?

   • a.No; a credible witness must have no financial interest and not be named in the document
   • b.Only if related to the signer
   • c.Yes, for jurats
   • d.Yes, always

   Respuesta: a

   Explicación: A credible witness must be disinterested—having no financial interest in the transaction and not being named in the document. This impartiality protects the integrity of the identification.

   Fuente: CA Civil Code §1185

9. 9. Journal & Seal

   Which of the following must appear on a California notary seal?

   • a.The State Seal, the words 'Notary Public,' the notary's name, the county, the commission number, and the commission expiration date
   • b.The notary's photo
   • c.The employer's logo
   • d.The notary's home address

   Respuesta: a

   Explicación: The seal must show the California State Seal, the words 'Notary Public,' the notary's name, the county where the bond is filed, the commission number, and the commission expiration date. It must be a fixed, legible stamp.

   Fuente: CA Government Code §8207

10. 10. Liability & Law

    What is the maximum fee a California notary may charge for taking an acknowledgment, per signature?

    • a.$50
    • b.$15
    • c.$10
    • d.$25

    Respuesta: b

    Explicación: Government Code §8211 sets the maximum fee for an acknowledgment at $15 per signature. Charging more than the statutory maximum is unlawful and can subject the notary to discipline.

    Fuente: CA Government Code §8211