Free New Jersey Notary Public Online Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1Which state entity administers New Jersey's notary public rules?

   1. A. Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
   2. B. Office of Administrative Law
   3. C. County Clerks Association
   4. D. Department of State, Division of Elections

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule identifies the "Department of the Treasury" and its Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services as the administering entity.

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.1(a), p. 2

2. 2A signer declares before an officer that she signed a record for its stated purpose. What notarial act is this?

   1. A. Acknowledgment
   2. B. Verification on oath or affirmation
   3. C. Copy certification
   4. D. Protest of a negotiable instrument

   Answer: A

   Explanation: An acknowledgment is a "declaration by an individual before a notarial officer that the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record." The scenario matches that definition.

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.2, definition of Acknowledgment, p. 2

3. 3Which applicant satisfies New Jersey's age requirement for appointment as a notary public?

   1. A. An applicant who is 18 years old
   2. B. An applicant who will turn 18 after appointment
   3. C. An applicant who is 17 and employed in New Jersey
   4. D. An applicant who is 17 and endorsed by a legislator

   Answer: A

   Explanation: At appointment, the person must "be at least 18 years of age." Future age, employment, or endorsement does not replace that condition.

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.3(a)1, p. 2

4. 4To whom does an applicant formally apply for a New Jersey notary commission?

   1. A. The State Treasurer
   2. B. The county clerk
   3. C. The Office of Administrative Law
   4. D. The Appellate Division

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule states: "An applicant for commission as a notary public shall make application to the State Treasurer."

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.4(a), p. 2

5. 5Which conduct is an express ground for denying or disciplining a New Jersey notary commission?

   1. A. A fraudulent or deceitful omission in the commission application
   2. B. Selecting one compliant electronic-notarization technology
   3. C. Refusing a notarization because capacity is doubtful
   4. D. Using personal knowledge to identify a familiar signer

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Express grounds include "a fraudulent, dishonest, or deceitful misstatement or omission in the application for commission." The other acts can be permitted by the rules.

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.7(a)2, p. 3

6. 6Before certifying a copy, what determination must the notarial officer make?

   1. A. The copy is a full, true, and accurate transcription or reproduction
   2. B. The original is eligible for electronic recording
   3. C. The copy has been retained for ten years
   4. D. The owner personally drafted the original

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The officer must determine that the copy is "a full, true, and accurate transcription or reproduction of the record or item."

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.12, p. 5

7. 7When an act concerns a statement or signature, how must the individual appear before the officer?

   1. A. Personally or by communication technology
   2. B. Only through a written declaration
   3. C. Only by sending the original record
   4. D. Only through a credible witness

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The individual "shall appear personally before the notarial officer or shall use communication technology to appear."

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.14(a), p. 6

8. 8Who selects the tamper-evident technology used by a notarial officer for electronic records?

   1. A. The notarial officer
   2. B. The signer
   3. C. The officer's employer
   4. D. The receiving county clerk

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule says a notarial officer "may select one or more tamper-evident technologies." Another person may not require use of technology the officer did not select.

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.15(a), p. 7

9. 9A signer appears unable to understand the record being executed. What may the notarial officer do?

   1. A. Refuse because the officer is not satisfied about competence or capacity
   2. B. Proceed if the signer pays no fee
   3. C. Proceed if the employer approves
   4. D. Replace the act with a copy certification

   Answer: A

   Explanation: An officer may refuse if not satisfied that "the individual executing the record is competent or has the capacity to execute the record."

   Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.17(a)1, p. 8

10. 10What fee may a New Jersey notarial officer collect for a routine acknowledgment that is not part of the specified real-estate transactions?

    1. A. $2.50 per act
    2. B. $15 per act
    3. C. $25 per act
    4. D. $30 per act

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The fee rule allows "taking acknowledgments, $2.50 per act." The larger amounts apply to the listed real-estate transaction categories.

    Reference: Njac 17 50 Adoption — N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.18(a)1, p. 8