Free Notary Public Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Notary Public Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Maryland resident is preparing an initial application for appointment as a notary public. What is the minimum age the applicant must have reached?

   1. A. 18 years
   2. B. 19 years
   3. C. 21 years
   4. D. 25 years

   Answer: A

   Explanation: State Government Article §18-102(a)(1) says an individual must "be at least 18 years old." The applicant therefore meets the age requirement at 18.

   Reference: Article - State Government, Section 18-102 — §18-102(a)(1)

2. 2During a commission, a Maryland notary changes the personal email address on file. How soon must the notary notify the Office of the Secretary of State?

   1. A. Within 10 days
   2. B. Within 30 days
   3. C. Within 60 days
   4. D. At the next renewal only

   Answer: B

   Explanation: COMAR 01.02.08.09 requires notaries to notify the Office "within 30 days" when specified information changes, including the personal email address.

   Reference: .09 Change in Name, Address, or Email Information. | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 01.02.08.09

3. 3An applicant lives in Virginia but maintains a regular place of employment in Maryland. Which Maryland eligibility condition addresses this situation?

   1. A. The applicant must also own Maryland real property
   2. B. The applicant may qualify by having a place of employment or practice in Maryland
   3. C. The applicant must first become a Maryland voter
   4. D. The applicant must both live and work in Maryland

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 18-102(a)(3) requires that an applicant "be a resident of the State" or "have a place of employment or practice in the State." Maryland employment satisfies that condition.

   Reference: Article - State Government, Section 18-102 — §18-102(a)(3)

4. 4When a Maryland notary uses an identification credential to identify a signer, what additional credential detail does COMAR require in the journal?

   1. A. The issuing employee's name
   2. B. The identification number associated with the credential
   3. C. The signer's credit score
   4. D. The credential's purchase price

   Answer: B

   Explanation: COMAR 01.02.08.08C states that the notary "shall document in the notary's journal the identification number associated with the identification credential."

   Reference: .08 Responsibilities of Notaries Public. | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 01.02.08.08C

5. 5Which Maryland notary applicant is required by §18-102 to pass the notary examination?

   1. A. A renewal applicant only
   2. B. Every renewal and name-change applicant
   3. C. An initial applicant
   4. D. A former notary seeking only a certified copy of a commission

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 18-102(a)(4)(i) applies the examination requirement "for an initial applicant," while the renewal provision requires completion of the course.

   Reference: Article - State Government, Section 18-102 — §18-102(a)(4)

6. 6A signer requests one ordinary, in-person original notarial act. What current COMAR ceiling applies to that act?

   1. A. $8
   2. B. $6
   3. C. $25
   4. D. $50

   Answer: A

   Explanation: COMAR 01.02.08.02A(1) permits "$8 for the performance of a notarial act."

   Reference: .02 Charges and Fees. | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 01.02.08.02A(1)

7. 7Which four subject areas does Maryland law expressly require the notary examination to cover?

   1. A. Real estate, taxation, insurance, and accounting
   2. B. Court filing, process service, mediation, and arbitration
   3. C. Business formation, immigration, contracts, and probate
   4. D. Laws, regulations, procedures, and ethics relevant to notarial acts

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Section 18-102(b)(1) requires an examination that covers "the laws, regulations, procedures, and ethics relevant to notarial acts."

   Reference: Article - State Government, Section 18-102 — §18-102(b)(1)

8. 8A commissioned notary performs a compliant remote notarization. Which amount is the present maximum charge for the remote act itself?

   1. A. $25
   2. B. $30
   3. C. $50
   4. D. $60

   Answer: B

   Explanation: COMAR 01.02.08.02A(2) permits "$30 for the performance of a remote notarial act."

   Reference: .02 Charges and Fees. | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 01.02.08.02A(2)

9. 9A resident applicant's State Senator has not delegated approval authority, and the senatorial office is not vacant. Whose written approval must accompany the application?

   1. A. The Senator representing the applicant's senatorial district and subdistrict
   2. B. The clerk of any circuit court
   3. C. The Governor acting alone
   4. D. The county executive

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 18-103(a)(2)(i) requires "the written approval of a Senator representing the senatorial district and subdistrict in which the applicant resides" in this situation.

   Reference: Article - State Government, Section 18-103 — §18-103(a)(2)(i)

10. 10Several copies of the same record were signed at the same time by the same person. What may the notary charge for each signature on the original or first copy?

    1. A. $2 per signature
    2. B. $4 per signature
    3. C. $8 per signature on the original or first copy
    4. D. $30 per signature

    Answer: C

    Explanation: COMAR 01.02.08.02B permits "$8 for notarizing each signature on the original or first copy" in this situation.

    Reference: .02 Charges and Fees. | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 01.02.08.02B