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Free Pennsylvania Notary Examination Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

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

  1. 1A newly appointed Pennsylvania notary is buying the bond required for the new commission. What bond amount is required?

    1. A. $25,000
    2. B. $10,000
    3. C. $15,000
    4. D. $20,000

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(b) states, “An applicant shall obtain a surety bond in the amount of $25,000.” The new appointee therefore needs a $25,000 bond.

    Reference: Pennsylvania Code — 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(b)

  2. 2How must a Pennsylvania notary sign a notarial certificate?

    1. A. With any customary business signature
    2. B. With first initial and surname only
    3. C. Exactly and only as the name appears on the commission
    4. D. With the name shown on the customer's record

    Answer: C

    Explanation: 57 Pa.C.S. § 315(a)(3)(i)(A) requires the notary to “sign the notary public's name exactly and only as it appears on the commission.”

    Reference: Title 57 - NOTARIES PUBLIC — 57 Pa.C.S. § 315(a)(3)(i)(A)

  3. 3When may a commissioned Pennsylvania notary perform notarial acts with respect to the required bond?

    1. A. Only while a valid bond is on file with the Department
    2. B. Whenever a bond application is pending
    3. C. For 30 days after a bond lapses
    4. D. Until the surety sends a claim notice

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(7) provides that a notary may act “only during the period in which a valid bond is on file with the department.”

    Reference: Title 57 - NOTARIES PUBLIC — 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(7)

  4. 4Which issuer may execute the surety bond for a Pennsylvania notary commission?

    1. A. Any federally chartered bank
    2. B. An insurance company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania
    3. C. Any insurer licensed in another state
    4. D. The county recorder of deeds

    Answer: B

    Explanation: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(3)(i) says the bond must “be executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth.”

    Reference: Title 57 - NOTARIES PUBLIC — 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(3)(i)

  5. 5What must a Pennsylvania notary record in the journal?

    1. A. Only acts for which a fee was charged
    2. B. Only acknowledgments and verifications
    3. C. Only acts involving tangible records
    4. D. All notarial acts, in chronological order

    Answer: D

    Explanation: 57 Pa.C.S. § 319(a) requires a journal recording “in chronological order all notarial acts that the notary public performs.”

    Reference: Title 57 - NOTARIES PUBLIC — 57 Pa.C.S. § 319(a)

  6. 6Which record is expressly excluded from notarial copy certification?

    1. A. A lease
    2. B. A diploma
    3. C. A passport
    4. D. A birth certificate

    Answer: D

    Explanation: 4 Pa. Code § 167.65(4)(i) lists “Vital records (birth and death certificates)” among records a notary may not certify.

    Reference: Pennsylvania Code — 4 Pa. Code § 167.65(4)(i)

  7. 7What period must a Pennsylvania notary's required surety bond cover?

    1. A. Only the first year after appointment
    2. B. The application-review period
    3. C. Acts performed during the commission term
    4. D. Five years after the commission ends

    Answer: C

    Explanation: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(3)(ii) requires the bond to “cover acts performed during the term of the notary public commission.”

    Reference: Title 57 - NOTARIES PUBLIC — 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(3)(ii)

  8. 8For an ordinary in-person notarization, what does personal appearance require?

    1. A. Physical presence with direct observation and interaction
    2. B. A live telephone call with mailed identification
    3. C. A prerecorded video and emailed identification
    4. D. A signed statement delivered by a messenger

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 4 Pa. Code § 167.42(a) requires the signer and notary to be “Physically present before each other” and able to observe and interact.

    Reference: Pennsylvania Code — 4 Pa. Code § 167.42(a)

  9. 9Which federal record may a Pennsylvania notary not certify as a copy?

    1. A. A United States Naturalization Certificate
    2. B. A United States passport
    3. C. A driver's license
    4. D. A public record

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 4 Pa. Code § 167.65(4)(ii) specifically lists “United States Naturalization Certificates” as ineligible for certified copies.

    Reference: Pennsylvania Code — 4 Pa. Code § 167.65(4)(ii)

  10. 10The surety asks which authority's prescribed bond form must be used. Which authority controls?

    1. A. The recorder of deeds in the proper county
    2. B. The bond claimant
    3. C. The testing vendor
    4. D. The Department of State

    Answer: D

    Explanation: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(3)(iii) requires the bond to “be in the form prescribed by the department.”

    Reference: Title 57 - NOTARIES PUBLIC — 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)(3)(iii)

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for Pennsylvania Notary Examination. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • Obtaining Notary Commission
    • Purchase a $25,000 surety bond in order to protect customer from financial loss.
    • Take the oath of office before the recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment.
    • Provide official signature at prothonotary office or the recorder of deeds office within 45 days of appointment so that acts of the notary can be authenticated.
    • Obtain an official stamping device that meets the requirements of the law in order to authenticate notarial acts performed.
    • Obtain a journal in order to create a public record for every notarial act performed.
  • Performing Notarial Acts (Paper-based, Electronically, or Remotely)
    • Ensure the customer appears physically or remotely before the notary, properly identify the person, and assess comprehension and willingness in order to protect against fraud.
    • Examine the document to be notarized to assess document completeness, determine the named signer, and assess if the notarial certificate is present and sufficient.
    • Advise the customer of any fees for the notarial act and provide itemized receipts.
    • Contemporaneously record all required information for the notarial act in the journal to create a chronological compliant public record.
    • Perform the requested notarial act in order to fulfill the customer's intended purpose.
    • Complete, sign and affix the official stamp on the notarial certificate to evidence the notarial act.
  • Notary Commission Management and Compliance
    • Report any changes in the notary's information or status to the Pennsylvania Department of State within the specified time period in order to keep the Department informed.
    • Keep the stamping device and journal in a secure location in order to maintain custody and control, and prevent loss or fraudulent use.
    • Keep the mandatory surety bond in full force and effect in order to protect customer from financial loss.
    • Recognize prohibited acts and grounds for disciplinary action.

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These are independent study questions, not actual examination items. For examination requirements and official information, view Pennsylvania Notary Examination details.