California Notary Public Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Someone mails you a signed document and asks for an acknowledgment. What should you do?

   • ANotarize it if a cover letter is attached
   • BNotarize it after a phone call with the signer
   • CRefuse, because the signer did not appear in person
   • DNotarize it if the signature looks real
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Refuse, because the signer did not appear in person

   An acknowledgment cannot be completed for a document mailed or delivered without the signer personally appearing.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does the boxed notice at the top of a California acknowledgment or jurat certificate say the notary verifies?

   • AThat the document is legally valid
   • BOnly the identity of the person who signed
   • CThat the document is truthful and accurate
   • DThat a lawyer reviewed the document
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Only the identity of the person who signed

   The required boxed notice states that the notary verifies only the identity of the signer, not the truth or validity of the document.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A document has an attached certificate with the wrong wording. What should you do?

   • ALeave out your signature but use the seal
   • BStamp it anyway and add a note
   • CCross out the title and sign
   • DUse a certificate with the wording required by law
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Use a certificate with the wording required by law

   A notary may not sign and seal a certificate that lacks the required wording, so a correct certificate must be used.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You find a mistake on a certificate after the signer has left. How is it fixed?

   • AMail the signer a corrected page
   • BChange the date and keep the old journal entry
   • CCorrect it with correction fluid and initial it
   • DThe signature must be notarized again with a new certificate and journal entry
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The signature must be notarized again with a new certificate and journal entry

   Errors cannot be fixed after the act, so the signer must appear again for a new notarization and journal entry.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which is required for a jurat but not for an acknowledgment?

   • AAn oath, and signing in the notary's presence
   • BThe signer appears in person before the notary
   • CThe notary applies their official seal
   • DThe signer shows satisfactory identification
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An oath, and signing in the notary's presence

   A jurat certifies that the document was signed in the notary's presence and that an oath or affirmation was given.

6. Question 6 of 25

   A signer brings an affidavit already signed at home and wants a jurat. Can you complete the jurat as it is?

   • ANo, for a jurat the signer must sign in your presence
   • BYes, if a credible witness saw them sign it at home
   • CYes, if the signature matches the one on their ID
   • DYes, if they swear under oath that the signature is theirs
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, for a jurat the signer must sign in your presence

   Government Code section 8202 says a jurat certifies that the document was signed in front of the notary after an oath or affirmation.

7. Question 7 of 25

   When is a proof of execution by a subscribing witness used?

   • AWhen the notary is unable to find a seal
   • BWhen the principal signed but cannot appear before the notary
   • CWhen the document is in a foreign language
   • DWhen the signer has no identification at all
   Show answer

   Answer: B. When the principal signed but cannot appear before the notary

   A subscribing witness who saw the principal sign appears before the notary on the principal's behalf.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which document can NOT be notarized by proof of execution by a subscribing witness?

   • AA school permission form
   • BA general business letter
   • CA deed of trust
   • DA simple contract for services
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A deed of trust

   Proof by a subscribing witness cannot be used for powers of attorney, deeds of trust, mortgages, most grant deeds, quitclaim deeds or other real property instruments.

9. Question 9 of 25

   How does the notary identify the subscribing witness?

   • ABy checking the witness's social media
   • BBy the principal's phone call
   • CThrough a credible witness the notary knows, who shows ID
   • DNo identification is needed
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Through a credible witness the notary knows, who shows ID

   A credible witness personally known to the notary must vouch for the subscribing witness and present valid identification.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which document may a California notary certify as a true copy?

    • AA birth certificate
    • BA power of attorney
    • CA death certificate
    • DA marriage certificate
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A power of attorney

    Probate Code section 4307 lets a notary certify a copy of a power of attorney after comparing it with the original.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Someone asks you to certify a copy of their birth certificate. What should you do?

    • ACertify it if they show the original
    • BRefuse and refer them to the agency that issues vital records
    • CCertify it if they are a relative
    • DCertify it for a reduced fee
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Refuse and refer them to the agency that issues vital records

    Notaries cannot certify copies of birth, death or marriage records; only the state or local registrar or county recorder can.

12. Question 12 of 25

    A signer can only make an X as a signature. Who must witness the mark on the document?

    • AOne relative of the signer
    • BTwo people, who sign their own names as witnesses
    • CNo one, the notary is enough
    • DA judge
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Two people, who sign their own names as witnesses

    A signature by mark must be witnessed by two people who write their own names on the document as witnesses.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You cannot speak the signer's language. A friend offers to interpret. What should you do?

    • AHave the signer nod to each question
    • BUse a translation app and proceed
    • CUse the friend as an interpreter
    • DRefer the signer to a notary who speaks their language
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Refer the signer to a notary who speaks their language

    The notary must communicate directly with the signer and the handbook says an interpreter should not be used.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Can you notarize a signature on a document written in a language you cannot read?

    • ANo, never
    • BYes, if you can communicate directly with the signer
    • COnly if a lawyer translates it first
    • DOnly for acknowledgments of deeds
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Yes, if you can communicate directly with the signer

    The notary's role is about the signature, not the content, so a foreign-language document is allowed when the notary and signer can talk directly.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A document has blank spaces that should be filled in. What should you do?

    • ANotarize it if the signer promises to finish it
    • BRefuse to notarize it while it is incomplete
    • CNotarize it and let the signer fill it in later
    • DFill in the blanks yourself
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Refuse to notarize it while it is incomplete

    Government Code section 8205 says a notary may not notarize a document they know or can see is incomplete.

16. Question 16 of 25

    When is a California notary disqualified from notarizing a document?

    • AWhen the signer is a co-worker
    • BWhen the signer is a stranger
    • CWhen they are named as a principal in the financial transaction
    • DWhen the document is longer than ten pages
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When they are named as a principal in the financial transaction

    Government Code section 8224 bars a notary from acting when they have a direct financial or beneficial interest, such as being a named principal.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Can you notarize a document for your cousin?

    • AYes, unless it gives you a direct financial or beneficial interest
    • BOnly if a second notary also signs
    • CNo, relatives are never allowed
    • DOnly if your cousin pays double
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Yes, unless it gives you a direct financial or beneficial interest

    The handbook says notaries may act for relatives unless doing so would give them a direct financial or beneficial interest.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A customer asks you which legal form they should use. What should you do?

    • ATell them you cannot advise and refer them to an attorney
    • BChoose the form for them
    • CGive your best guess
    • DFill out the form and charge for it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tell them you cannot advise and refer them to an attorney

    A notary who is not an attorney must not give legal advice or prepare legal documents and should refer the person to a lawyer.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A non-attorney notary advertises in Spanish. Which wording is forbidden?

    • AListing office hours
    • BGiving the office address
    • CTranslating Notary Public as 'notario publico'
    • DSaying they speak Spanish
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Translating Notary Public as 'notario publico'

    Government Code section 8219.5 forbids non-attorney notaries from translating Notary Public as notario publico or notario.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Can a notary advertise themselves as an immigration consultant just because they are a notary?

    • AYes, in any language other than English
    • BYes, notaries are trained in immigration law
    • CYes, if they pass a second exam
    • DNo, the law forbids it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, the law forbids it

    Government Code section 8223 bars a notary from advertising as an immigration specialist or consultant based on the commission.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does the law say about notary fees in California?

    • AA notary may charge any fee the customer agrees to
    • BEvery notary must charge exactly the same fee
    • CFees are set by each employer
    • DThe law sets a maximum fee, and a notary may charge less or nothing
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The law sets a maximum fee, and a notary may charge less or nothing

    Government Code section 8211 sets maximum fees, and charging more than the law allows is a ground for discipline.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Your employer pays for your commission and supplies. What may the employer do?

    • AChange the wording on your certificates
    • BUse your seal when you are away
    • CKeep your journal when you leave
    • DLimit your notarizations to its business transactions
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Limit your notarizations to its business transactions

    Under Government Code section 8202.8, an employer that pays under an agreement may limit the notary's acts to transactions tied to its business purposes.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You move your business address. Within how many days must you tell the Secretary of State?

    • A5 days
    • BThere is no deadline
    • C30 days
    • D90 days
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 30 days

    Government Code section 8213.5 requires written notice of an address change within 30 days by certified mail or another tracked method.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Can a California notary perform a notarization by live video call today?

    • ANo, remote online notarization is not yet available
    • BYes, for any document
    • CYes, if the signer lives out of state
    • DYes, but only for jurats
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, remote online notarization is not yet available

    A video image is not a personal appearance, and remote online notarization starts only when the state's system is ready or by January 1, 2030.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What can happen if a notary willfully states a false fact on an acknowledgment?

    • AOnly a reminder letter
    • BA shorter commission term
    • CA civil penalty and a possible criminal charge
    • DNothing, if the signer agreed
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A civil penalty and a possible criminal charge

    Civil Code section 1189 provides a civil penalty for willful false statements on an acknowledgment, and it is also a criminal offense.

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The real test: A scaled score of at least 70 (scores run from 0 to 100 and are not percentages). 5 of the 45 items are unscored.