PA Notary Practice Exam.
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1. A signer cannot come to the notary's office and instead mails in an already-signed document, asking the notary to notarize the signature. What must the notary do?
- A. Notarize it, since the signature is already on the document
- B. Refuse, because the signer must be physically present at the time of notarization
- C. Notarize it if the signer confirms by telephone
- D. Notarize it if a family member delivers the document in person
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A notary may not notarize a signature unless the signer is physically present at the time of the notarization. A mailed-in signature does not satisfy this requirement.2. Which of the following is typically included on a notary's official seal?
- A. The signer's name and address
- B. The notary's home address and telephone number
- C. The notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the commissioning state, and the commission expiration date
- D. The county population and the notary's date of appointment
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
The official seal typically includes the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the commissioning state, and the commission expiration date.3. During a signing, the notary observes that an elderly signer keeps looking nervously at a relative who answers every question for her and appears to be pressuring her to sign. What must the notary do?
- A. Proceed, because the relative is present to assist
- B. Refuse to perform the notarization, because the signer appears coerced
- C. Proceed, but note the relative's name in the journal
- D. Ask the relative to leave and then continue immediately
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A notary must refuse to perform a notarization if the signer appears to be coerced, does not understand the transaction, or cannot be properly identified. Apparent coercion requires the notary to refuse.4. Which of the following best explains why a notary is expected to remain impartial and decline acts involving personal interest?
- A. Because a notary is a private contractor hired by the signer
- B. Because a notary is a public officer commissioned to serve as an impartial witness and to deter fraud
- C. Because notaries are required to be licensed attorneys
- D. Because impartiality lets the notary charge higher fees
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A notary public is a public officer commissioned by the state to serve as an impartial witness to signings and to deter fraud. That impartial role is why the notary must avoid acts involving personal interest.5. A signer mails a signed contract to a notary and asks the notary to notarize the signature, explaining they are too busy to come in person. What is the correct response?
- A. Notarize it, since the signature is clearly on the page
- B. Notarize it only if the signer's ID is enclosed
- C. Refuse, because the signer must be physically present at the time of notarization
- D. Notarize it if a witness confirms the signature by phone
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A notary may not notarize a signature unless the signer is physically present at the time of the notarization. A mailed-in document with an absent signer cannot be notarized.6. A signer at the notary's table appears frightened and is being urged by a companion to "just sign it, it's fine," and cannot explain what the document does. What is the notary's duty?
- A. Notarize quickly to avoid escalating the tension
- B. Notarize, since the signer is physically present
- C. Refuse to perform the notarization
- D. Notarize but record the companion's name as a witness
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A notary must refuse to perform a notarization if the signer appears to be coerced or does not understand the transaction. A frightened, pressured signer who cannot explain the document meets both grounds for refusal.7. A signer appears before a notary and states that the signature on a deed is genuine and was made willingly, but does not sign again in front of the notary. Which notarial act is being performed?
- A. A jurat
- B. An acknowledgment
- C. An oath of office
- D. A protest
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
An acknowledgment is the act in which the signer declares the signature is genuine and made willingly; the signer need not sign in the notary's presence and takes no oath. A jurat, by contrast, requires signing in the notary's presence plus an oath.8. Which requirement distinguishes a jurat from an acknowledgment?
- A. The signer must provide two witnesses
- B. The signer must sign in the notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation that the statements are true
- C. The signer may sign the document at any earlier time and takes no oath
- D. The notary must personally know the signer
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A jurat requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence and to take an oath or affirmation that the document's statements are true; it is used for affidavits and sworn statements. This oath-and-presence-of-signing requirement is what sets it apart from an acknowledgment.9. A notary does not personally know a signer who has come in to have a document notarized. What is the notary's proper course of action to establish the signer's identity?
- A. Accept the signer's spoken statement of their own name
- B. Rely on a co-worker's informal assurance that the signer is trustworthy
- C. Require satisfactory evidence such as a current government-issued identification document
- D. Proceed without identification if the document appears routine
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
When personal knowledge is absent, the notary must positively identify the signer through satisfactory evidence, such as a current government-issued identification document.10. A notary is asked to notarize a mortgage document in a real estate transaction in which the notary personally stands to receive a share of the proceeds. How should the notary respond?
- A. Notarize it, since the notary is not the signer
- B. Notarize it only if a second notary co-signs
- C. Decline, because the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction
- D. Notarize it after disclosing the interest in the journal
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A notary must not notarize a document to which the notary is a party or in which the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest. A share of the proceeds is a direct financial interest, so the notary must decline.11. A member of the public asks a notary who is not an attorney which type of legal form to use and offers to pay for guidance in drafting it. What may the notary properly do?
- A. Give the legal advice and charge a fee for it
- B. Prepare the legal document for the person for a reasonable fee
- C. Decline, because a non-attorney notary may not give legal advice, accept fees for it, or prepare legal documents for others
- D. Advise on the form but not charge for preparing it
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A notary who is not an attorney may not give legal advice, accept fees for legal advice, or prepare legal documents for others. The notary must decline all three.12. During a notarization, the signer seems confused about what the document does and hesitates, appearing to act under pressure from a person accompanying them. What is the notary's duty?
- A. Proceed, since the signer is physically present
- B. Refuse to perform the notarization
- C. Proceed if the accompanying person vouches for the signer
- D. Proceed but note the concern in the journal
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A notary must refuse to perform a notarization if the signer appears to be coerced or does not understand the transaction. Both conditions are present here, so the notary must refuse.13. Which set of details must a notary record in the notary journal for each notarial act?
- A. Only the signer's name and the fee charged
- B. The date and time, type of act, type of document, name and address of each signer, and the identification method used
- C. The signer's date of birth and Social Security number
- D. Only the type of document and the commission expiration date
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
The notary journal records the date and time of the act, the type of act, the type of document, the name and address of each signer, and the method used to identify the signer.14. A notary's co-worker asks to borrow the notary's seal and journal to complete a notarization while the notary is away for the afternoon. What is the proper response, and why?
- A. Lend them, since both employees serve the same office
- B. Lend only the journal but keep the seal
- C. Refuse, because the notary must keep the seal and journal under exclusive control and not let another person use them
- D. Lend them if the co-worker records the acts under the notary's name
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
The notary must keep the seal and journal under the notary's exclusive control and must not allow another person to use them, so the notary must refuse.15. A notary is asked to notarize a deed that transfers property to the notary personally. What is the notary's proper course of action?
- A. Notarize it, since the notary can identify the signer with certainty
- B. Decline, because the notary is a party to the document
- C. Notarize it only after charging a higher fee
- D. Notarize it if a witness co-signs the deed
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A notary must not notarize a document to which the notary is a party or in which the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest. Because the deed transfers property to the notary, the notary is a party and must decline.16. A signer's spouse arrives at the notary's office holding a power of attorney and the document to be signed, explaining that the signer is at home but authorized the spouse to have it notarized in the signer's place. May the notary proceed?
- A. Yes, because the power of attorney authorizes the spouse to act
- B. Yes, if the spouse presents the signer's identification
- C. No, because the signer is not physically present at the notarization
- D. No, unless the notary telephones the signer to confirm
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A notary may not notarize a signature unless the signer is physically present at the time of the notarization. A power of attorney does not substitute for the signer's physical presence.17. A notary who is not an attorney is asked by a customer, 'Which type of deed should I use to avoid probate?' How should the notary respond?
- A. Recommend the deed that best fits the customer's goal
- B. Answer, but only if no separate fee is charged for the answer
- C. Decline to advise and suggest the customer consult an attorney
- D. Prepare the deed for the customer at no charge
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Answer: C
A non-attorney notary may not give legal advice, accept fees for legal advice, or prepare legal documents for others. Recommending which deed to use is legal advice, so the notary must decline and refer the customer to an attorney.18. A notary stands to receive a commission if a business contract is signed, though the notary is not named as a party to the contract. A signer asks the notary to notarize that contract. What is the correct action?
- A. Notarize it, because the notary is not a named party
- B. Notarize it, because a commission is not a beneficial interest
- C. Decline, because the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction
- D. Notarize it after disclosing the commission to the signer
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Answer: C
A notary must not notarize a document to which the notary is a party or in which the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest. A commission tied to the contract's signing is a direct financial interest, so the notary must decline even though not a named party.19. A signer presents a document but cannot produce any identification, and the notary has never met the signer before and has no personal knowledge of the signer's identity. What is the notary's obligation?
- A. Perform the notarization and record 'no ID' in the journal
- B. Perform the notarization if the signer states his name under oath
- C. Refuse, because the signer cannot be properly identified
- D. Perform the notarization if another customer vouches informally
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A notary must refuse if the signer cannot be properly identified. Identification requires personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence such as a current government-issued ID; with neither available, the notary must refuse.20. A regular customer asks a non-attorney notary to draft a simple lease agreement and then notarize the customer's signature on it. How should the notary handle this request?
- A. Draft the lease and notarize it, since the customer is a regular
- B. Draft the lease but decline to notarize it
- C. Decline to draft the lease, because preparing legal documents for others is prohibited
- D. Draft the lease only if the customer signs a waiver
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Answer: C
A non-attorney notary may not prepare legal documents for others. Drafting a lease agreement for the customer is preparing a legal document, which the notary must decline; the notary could still notarize a document the customer prepares if all other requirements are met.21. A signer wants to mail a signed contract to the notary and have the notary notarize the already-affixed signature after it arrives, without the signer coming in. May the notary do so?
- A. Yes, because the signature is genuine and belongs to the signer
- B. Yes, if the notary recognizes the signature from prior dealings
- C. No, because the signer must be physically present at the time of notarization
- D. Yes, if the signer includes a copy of a government-issued ID
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Answer: C
A notary may not notarize a signature unless the signer is physically present at the time of the notarization. Mailing in an already-signed document does not satisfy the physical-presence requirement, regardless of the signature's authenticity or an included ID copy.22. A signer appears confused, cannot describe what the document is, and repeatedly asks the notary what the paper means before signing. What is the notary's proper response?
- A. Explain the legal effect of the document and proceed
- B. Refuse, because the signer does not appear to understand the transaction
- C. Proceed, since understanding the document is not the notary's concern
- D. Proceed if the signer's ID is valid
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Answer: B
A notary must refuse to perform a notarization if the signer does not understand the transaction. Additionally, a non-attorney notary may not give legal advice, so the notary cannot cure the problem by explaining the document's legal effect.23. During a signing, the notary discovers that the person presenting the document is the notary's spouse and that the notary stands to receive money if the transaction closes. Under state law, what must the notary do?
- A. Proceed, because the signer is well known to the notary
- B. Decline to notarize, because the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction
- C. Notarize only after doubling the standard fee
- D. Notarize and note the relationship in the journal
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A notary must not notarize a document to which the notary is a party or in which the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest. The prospect of receiving money if the deal closes is exactly such an interest, so the notary must decline.24. Which statement best distinguishes an acknowledgment from a jurat?
- A. In an acknowledgment the signer takes an oath, while in a jurat the signer does not
- B. In an acknowledgment the signer need not sign in the notary's presence and takes no oath, while in a jurat the signer must sign in the notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation
- C. Both require the signer to swear the statements are true
- D. An acknowledgment is used for affidavits, while a jurat is used for deeds
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Answer: B
In an acknowledgment the signer declares the signature is genuine and willingly made, need not sign in the notary's presence, and takes no oath. In a jurat the signer must sign in the notary's presence and take an oath or affirmation that the statements are true. Choice B captures both distinctions.25. A client asks a non-attorney notary, "Which of these two contract forms should I sign to best protect my rights?" How should the notary respond?
- A. Recommend the form that appears more favorable to the client
- B. Explain that a non-attorney notary may not give legal advice and decline to advise which form to sign
- C. Charge a small fee to review both forms and advise
- D. Prepare a revised contract that combines the best terms of both
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Answer: B
A notary who is not an attorney may not give legal advice, accept fees for legal advice, or prepare legal documents for others. Advising which form to sign, charging to advise, or drafting a revised contract would each violate that prohibition.26. A notary does not personally know the signer. Under state law, how may the notary properly establish the signer's identity?
- A. By accepting the signer's verbal statement of their name
- B. By satisfactory evidence such as a current government-issued identification document
- C. By confirming the signer's identity with the companion who came with them
- D. By matching the signature to the one on the document
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
The notary must positively identify the signer either through personal knowledge or by satisfactory evidence such as a current government-issued ID. Absent personal knowledge, a current government-issued identification document is the proper basis.27. Which set of entries is a notary expected to record in the notary journal for each act?
- A. The signer's political affiliation and employer only
- B. The date and time, the type of act, the type of document, the name and address of each signer, and the method used to identify the signer
- C. Only the type of document and the fee charged
- D. The notary's own commission number and nothing about the signer
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Answer: B
A notary journal records the date and time of the act, the type of act, the type of document, the name and address of each signer, and the identification method used. Choice B lists exactly those items.28. A notary's coworker asks to borrow the notary's official seal for an afternoon to stamp a few documents while the notary is at lunch. What does state law require?
- A. Lending the seal is allowed as long as the coworker is also a notary
- B. The notary must keep the seal under exclusive control and must not allow another person to use it
- C. The notary may lend the seal if the journal is updated afterward
- D. The seal may be shared within the same office freely
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Answer: B
The notary must keep the seal and journal under the notary's exclusive control and must not allow another person to use them. Lending the seal to a coworker violates that duty.29. Which combination of elements does a notary's official seal typically include?
- A. The notary's home address and telephone number
- B. The notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the commissioning state, and the commission expiration date
- C. The signer's name and the document's title
- D. A serial number issued by the federal government
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Answer: B
The official seal typically includes the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the commissioning state, and the commission expiration date. Choice B lists those elements.30. A candidate must pass an examination to be commissioned. Which statement about that examination is correct under state law?
- A. The examination costs $65 per test and the candidate has six months from being authorized to sit for it to pass
- B. The examination is free and may be taken at any time within one year
- C. The examination costs $65 per test but has no deadline to pass
- D. The examination is administered by the state directly for $65 with a three-month window
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Answer: A
The examination is administered by the Department's vendor, Pearson VUE, at a cost of $65 per test, and candidates have six months from the time they are authorized to sit for the examination to pass it. Only choice A states both the fee and the window correctly.