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. 1Under Maine law, who administers the initial Notary Public Examination or approves an entity to administer it?

   1. A. The Secretary of State
   2. B. The Attorney General
   3. C. The State Treasurer
   4. D. The county clerk

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The statute states: “An applicant for a notary public commission who at the time of application does not hold a commission in this State must pass an examination administered by the Secretary of State or an entity approved by the Secretary of State.” This identifies the administering or approving authority.

   Reference: Title 4 Chapter 39 — 4 M.R.S. § 1923(1)

2. 2After receiving a Maine notary commission, within what period must the appointee be sworn into office?

   1. A. 15 days
   2. B. 30 days
   3. C. 45 days
   4. D. 90 days

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule states that the applicant “has 30 calendar days to appear before a Dedimus Justice to take the oath.” The appointee must meet that deadline.

   Reference: Chapter 700 Rules — Chapter 700, § 2(2)

3. 3A Maine notary is asked to administer an oath to a petition circulator for a people's veto referendum. Which additional activity for that same referendum would disqualify the notary from administering that oath?

   1. A. Administering an oath to another circulator for the referendum.
   2. B. Providing unpaid voter outreach that promotes the referendum.
   3. C. Taking an acknowledgment on a filing for the referendum.
   4. D. Certifying a copy of a campaign record for the referendum.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 903-E(1) says, "A notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations generally is not authorized to administer an oath or affirmation to the circulator of a petition under section 902 if the notary public or other generally authorized person is:" Paragraph B specifies, "Providing services other than notarial acts, regardless of compensation, to promote the direct initiative or people's veto referendum for which the petition is being circulated." Unpaid outreach promoting this same referendum is a nonnotarial promotional service. The other options describe notarial acts, which by themselves do not meet this subsection's additional-service condition.

   Reference: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 903-E — 21-A M.R.S. §903-E(1), opening provision

4. 4What must a first-time Maine notary applicant do regarding the state examination?

   1. A. Pass it before applying
   2. B. Pass it as part of the initial application process
   3. C. Take it only after seven years
   4. D. Skip it if age 18 or older

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statute states: “An applicant for a notary public commission who at the time of application does not hold a commission in this State must pass an examination administered by the Secretary of State or an entity approved by the Secretary of State.” The first-time applicant therefore must pass it in the initial process.

   Reference: Title 4 Chapter 39 — 4 M.R.S. § 1923(1)

5. 5After timely taking the oath, which document must a newly appointed Maine notary return to finish qualification?

   1. A. The original application returned to the Dedimus Justice
   2. B. The completed certificate of qualification returned to the Secretary of State
   3. C. A surety bond returned to the municipal clerk
   4. D. A new examination returned to the county registry

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule gives the applicant “45 calendar days from the date of appointment to return the completed certificate of qualification to the Secretary of State.” This is the filing required after the oath.

   Reference: Chapter 700 Rules — Chapter 700, § 2(4)(A)

6. 6Maine's initial Notary Public Examination must be based on what?

   1. A. A county clerk interview
   2. B. The Secretary of State's course of study
   3. C. A federal civil-service manual
   4. D. A private association's unpublished test

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statute states: “The examination must be based on the course of study described in subsection 2.” Therefore the Secretary of State's course of study controls the examination content.

   Reference: Title 4 Chapter 39 — 4 M.R.S. § 1923(1)-(2)

7. 7What is the ordinary term of a Maine resident notary public commission?

   1. A. Two years
   2. B. Four years
   3. C. Seven years
   4. D. Ten years

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The rule says the Secretary “shall issue a notary public commission to the applicant for a term of 7 years from the date of issuance.” The ordinary commission term is seven years.

   Reference: Chapter 700 Rules — Chapter 700, § 2(3)

8. 8Which office maintains Maine notary commission records and processes applications?

   1. A. Secretary of State
   2. B. Department of Labor
   3. C. Judicial Branch
   4. D. Department of Revenue

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The course states: “The role of the Secretary of State is limited to the appointment and commissioning of notaries public.” That office therefore processes and maintains the commission program.

   Reference: Author: cathy.beaudoin — Secretary of State Role

9. 9Under Maine's notary rule, which benefit constitutes a direct beneficial interest beyond the customary notarial fee?

   1. A. An advantage, property interest, or other consideration connected with the record
   2. B. The customary fee charged solely for performing the notarial act
   3. C. A commission certificate issued by the Secretary of State
   4. D. A journal entry made contemporaneously with the act

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule defines direct beneficial interest as “a fee other than the customary fee for performance of the notarial act, or any advantage, right, title, interest, cash, property or other consideration received in connection with the record.” A connected property or financial advantage qualifies.

   Reference: Chapter 700 Rules — Chapter 700, § 1(2)

10. 10Which event provides a qualified Maine applicant with authority to perform notarial acts?

    1. A. Submitting the initial application for review
    2. B. Passing the examination before appointment
    3. C. Receiving the commission issued after statutory compliance
    4. D. Ordering an optional tangible-record stamp

    Answer: C

    Explanation: Section 1922 states: “A commission issued under subsection 4 authorizes the notary public to perform notarial acts.” Authority follows issuance of the commission after compliance.

    Reference: Title 4 Chapter 39 — 4 M.R.S. § 1922(5)