California Notary Exam 2025 | Practice Test | Mobile Notary Public | Loan Signing Agent

Prepare for success with the California Notary Exam 2025! Our comprehensive practice test is tailored to help aspiring notaries public master essential knowledge, including state laws, notarial procedures, and ethical guidelines. Enhance your readiness with expertly designed questions that mirror the actual exam format. Whether you’re aiming to get appointed for the first time or seeking reappointment, this resource ensures you feel confident and prepared. Ace the test with ease—start practicing today!This test simulator has 45 questions, and you have 60 minutes to complete this test. Keep in mind this test does not contain exactly the same questions you will have on your exam (this is against the law), but they are very similar. The passing score for this test is 70%. If you have 80%+ you will very likely pass the actual exam. If you score bellow 70% we suggest to review “Notary Public Handbook.” Good Luck!

When presented with a scenario, determine who the Notary is in the scenario. Select the “best” answer.
If you are having difficulty finding the “correct” answer, use a process of elimination and select the “best” answer.
If you are not 100% sure of the answer, skip it for now. Sometimes the test itself will help you answer the question. Be sure to come back and answer the question. Remember an unanswered question is a 100% wrong answer; a wild guess has a 25% chance of being the correct answer.

Select the most whole and complete answer, which can stand on its own.

California Notary Exam 2025 - Practice Test

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NOTARY PRACTICE TEST #1

Notary Exam - Practice Test

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1 / 45

A. In the following form, what goes after the words “personally appeared”?

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A. The names of both signers plus their authorized capacity.

B. The name of the signer exactly as it appears on the document.

C. The name of the signer exactly as it appears on their ID.

D. The name of the notary public.

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B. John is a mobile Notary who visited the State Line resort on the border of California and Nevada. While on the California side, his friend Judy asked him to notarize three documents: one Acknowledgement and two Jurats. John performed the notarizations by notarizing the Acknowledgment and administering an oath for both Jurats. Which of the following is true.

A. John faces a fine of $750.

B. Judy must personally know John because she is going under oath.

C. John may fill out one Jurat certificate for both documents.

D. John followed the law by completing the notarizations on the California side of the border.

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C. When identifying the signer and there is no indication that the any of the information, evidence, names or physical description would lead a reasonable person to believe that
the signer is not who he or she claims to be or that the document was forged, translated or miss-represents the signer’s legal obligation, how should the notary proceed:

A. Proceed with notarization, ensuring the signer provides acceptable identification and willingly signs the document.

B. Refuse to notarize the document to avoid any potential liability.

C. Require the signer to bring two additional witnesses regardless of the presented identification.

D. Require the signer to provide additional forms of identification before proceeding.

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D. Samuel introduces himself to a local notary and presents a paper identification, but it is expired and issued 7 years ago. The notary refuses to notarize because the paper identification document is not valid. So Samuel returns to the notary and introduces his wife, Cynthia, who has a valid Military ID card. How should the notary proceed?

A. None of the above.

B. Place both Samuel and Cynthia in the journal.

C. Require the military ID contain a signature before accepting.

D. Notarize using Cynthia as a credible witness.

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E. A notary public in California is asked to notarize a document but realizes that the signer is under duress. What is the appropriate action for the notary to take?

A. Proceed with the notarization as long as the signer provides proper identification

B. Charge a higher fee due to the complexity of the situation

C. Ask the signer to return at a later time without the person exerting duress

D. Refuse to notarize the document and document the incident

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F. What is the required amount of the surety bond that a California notary public must maintain during their commission?

A. $20,000

B. $10,000

C. $15,000

D. $5,000

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G. Sally, a California notary, is asked to notarize a document, but upon review, she notices she cannot stamp her notary seal onto the document. What is the document Sally is asked to Notarize.

A. Hard Copy of a California Driver License

B. Grand Deed

C. Circulator’s Affidavit or other Voting Documen

D. California Subdivision Map

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H. What is a credible identifying witness, and when might a notary public in California use one?

A. A credible identifying witness is a person who personally knows the notary and can verify the authenticity of any document the notary notarizes.

B. A credible identifying witness is someone who personally knows the signer, presents valid identification, and swears under oath that the signer is who they claim to be when the signer lacks acceptable ID.

C. A credible identifying witness is any individual who is willing to sign a statement verifying the signer’s identity, regardless of their relationship to the signer or the notary.

D. A credible identifying witness is a government official who must be present whenever a notary public performs notarizations for signers without ID.

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I. Kelly is a notary and also an escrow officer; she earns a bonus from her company for processing the sale of a property for one of the clients. She may:

A. Refer another notary who has no financial interest in the document.

B. Notarize the document, only if she declines the bonus.

C. Notarize the document involving this transaction.

D. Not notarize the document under any circumstances.

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J. When accepting an ID card from another state, the ID card must have the following:

A. a physical description, photograph and signature

B. a signature, identifying number, physical description and photograph

C. a signature, identifying number and physical description

D. a photograph, signature, identifying number and birth date

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K. Bob, a California notary, is given a Vietnamese document, which he cannot read. Which of the following is true:

A. Bob must make sure the document is complete.

B. Bob must refuse the notarization.

C. Bob must include the title of the document in the official Notary journal

D. Bob must ask the signer to translate the document.

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L. Timothy is a notary, but is also gaining a direct financial compensation from the transaction. Timothy is therefore a

A. Vendor

B. None of the above

C. Employee

D. Real estate agent

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M. Which document must a notary notarize for free?

A. Military Veteran’s Benefits Document

B. Vote-by-Mail Ballot Identification Envelope

C. Both B and C

D. A veteran’s will.

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N. The California Notary’s stamp does not include

A. The Notary’s identification number.

B. The Notary's commission expiration date.

C. The vendor’s identification number

D. The county of Notary's residence

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O. Bill brings a document to be acknowledged before a Notary Public. The Notary Public certifies on the Acknowledgment form to all of the following, except

A. That Bill acknowledged executing the document to the Notary.

B. That the signer personally appeared before the notary public.

C. “Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me”.

D. The county and to the identity of the signer.

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P. Which of the following procedures may not be used for a “Proof of Execution by a Subscribing Witness”?

A. f Jake has signed the document but cannot appear before the notary.

B. If Jake has signed the document and swears under oath to a Subscribing Witness that he is the document principal.

C. If the Credible Witness personally knows the Notary and personally knows the Subscribing Witness, who personally knows the document signer.

D. If Jake arranges with a notary over the phone to have a Subscribing Witness appear before the notary.

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Q. What type of notarial act requires the notary public to ensure that the signer is willingly and knowingly executing the document?

A. Protest

B. Jurat

C. Copy Certification

D. Acknowledgment

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R. If by review of your journal it is discovered that you failed to obtain a thumbprint from the signer for a deed of trust, what would the financial penalty be?

A. 2500$

B. 750$

C. 1500$

D. 10000$

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S. A notary public in California is asked to notarize a document written in a foreign language that the notary does not understand. What is the appropriate action?

A. Refuse to notarize the document

B. Proceed with the notarization if the notary can communicate with the signer in a common language

C. Find an interpreter to assist with the notarization

D. Use a translation app to understand the document and then notarize

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T. What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public in California?

A. 18 years

B. 16 years

C. 21 years

D. 25 years

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U. What is an acceptable form of identification for a notary public to use in verifying a signer’s identity in California?

A. A social security card

B. A valid passport issued by a foreign government

C. A birth certificate

D. A temporary driver’s license without a photograph

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V. Wilma is asked by her father, who is also her employer, to notarize a Grant Deed, in which Wilma is named as a grantee.

A. Wilma may not notarize the document because she is a relative.

B. Wilma must notarize the document in the authorized capacity of an employee.

C. Wilma may not notarize.

D. Wilma must include fingerprints in the journal because the document is a Deed.

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W. What is the penalty for notary execution of any certificate on a deed, containing a statement known to the notary public to be false?

A. 1500$

B. 750$

C. 2500$

D. 10000$

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X. The $15,000 surety bond

A. Must be filed with the CA Secretary of State.

B. Provides a limited fund to reimburse members of the public who are damaged by notarial misconduct.

C. Must be obtained from a licensed insurance company.

D. Limits the maximum amount of recoverable monetary award against a notary in a civil lawsuit.

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Y. Sandra is a notary and a qualified and bonded immigration specialist. How much can Sandra charge to help one individual complete immigration forms?

A. $5 for the oath and $5 for the certificate

B. Sandra may not give legal advice or tell people how to fill out any documents.

C. $15

D. None of the above.

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Z. Joe is asked by his employer Kristen, a loan officer, to explain the terms of the loan document to the client, including the interest rate, the length of the loan and the mortgage payments. Which of the following is true.

A. If Joe complies, he will be fined $1,000

B. Joe must indicate the document’s date in the journal

C. Joe may not notarize the document.

D. Kristen has just committed a misdemeanor.

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AA. In California, what is the maximum fee a notary public can charge for administering an oath or affirmation?

A. $15

B. $20

C. $10

D. $5

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AB. A notary public in California realizes they have overcharged a client for a notarization. What is the appropriate action for the notary to take?

A. Offer a discount on a future notarization

B. Refund the overcharged amount to the client

C. Donate the overcharged amount to charity

D. Keep the extra fee as a tip

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AC. If a notary public in California changes their address, how many days do they have to notify the Secretary of State of the change?

A. 20 DAYS

B. 40 DAYS

C. 10 DAYS

D. 30 DAYS

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AD. The Venue:

A. The State and County where the notary has filed his or her bond and oath.

B. The State and County where the document was signed.

C. Is the State and County where the document was drawn.

D. The State and County where the notary preformed the oath or affirmation, or where the notary required the signer to acknowledge that they signed the document.

31 / 45

AE. When performing a Jurat, what must the notary public do in addition to administering an oath or affirmation?

A. Ensure the document is complete and accurate

B. Verify the signer’s identity using personal knowledge

C. Have the signer sign the document in their presence

D. Provide legal advice on the document’s content

32 / 45

AF. Nat Notary is presented with a written request for a copy of a line item in her journal; for a Notarization she did a few months back. It contains all the information necessary to provide the copy. How long does Nat Notary have to provide a photostatic copy?

A. 15 calendar days

B. 30 calendar days

C. 30 business days

D. 15 business days

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AG. What is the primary purpose of a notary public’s journal entry for each notarial act performed?

A. To provide legal advice to the signer

B. To create a permanent, chronological record

C. To advertise the notary’s services

D. To determine the fees to be charged

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AH. When a Notary moves to a new county, he must:

A. Inform his client base of his new location.

B. Inform the SOS of his new address.

C. Update his address with the county recorder’s office.

D. Refile his oath and bond in his new county and obtain a new seal.

35 / 45

AI. Mark is a notary appointed to an air force base. While visiting his family in Sacramento, he’s asked to notarize an Arizona Deed of Trust by his Father. Which of the following is true:

A. Mark cannot notarize because the document signer is his direct relation.

B. Mark cannot notarize.

C. Mark cannot notarize because the document is from another state

D. Mark cannot notarize because he is not in the same county as his commission

36 / 45

AJ. When performing a copy certification, what must the notary public ensure about the document being copied?

A. It is an original document

B. It is a translated document

C. It is a legal document

D. It is a publicly recorded document

37 / 45

AK. When certifying a copy of a Power of Attorney…

A. The notary public must either witness the signer sign the document or require the signer acknowledge they signed the document.

B. If an attorney recommends that the document be notarized, a notary public may do so

C. The notary must certify the copy, according to probate law.

D. None of the above.

38 / 45

AL. Fred met his brother Steve, a California notary, to have his Grand Deed notarized for his and his wife’s property in Mexico. Fred came alone, even though both he and his wife signed the document. Fred’s ID was issued 6 years ago but is expired. Can Steve preform the notary?

A. No, because the Grand Deed includes Fred’s wife’s signature

B. Yes, because Fred and Steve are long time friends.

C. Yes, because the Mexican document is currently within California state lines

D. No, because Fred’s only ID is expired and issued over 5 years ago.

39 / 45

AM. Fernando has been a notary, employed by his company for 30 years. He recently retired, therefore, he must

A. b.Take the journal to the County Clerk’s office where his oath and bond are filed.

B. Both a & b

C. a.Destroy the notary seal.

D. None of the above.

40 / 45

AN. Jemisha brings a document to Mr. Singh, a notary public. Mr. Singh will mark in his journal that he performed a Jurat. What identifying wording did she rely on?

A. "Personally appeared”

B. “Do you swear or affirm that the statements in this document are true?”

C. “Acknowledged to me..."

D. Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me”

41 / 45

AO. Linda, a close friend of Mary, a notary public, brings in a document to be notarized that is incomplete. What should Mary do?

A. Refuse to notarize the document.

B. None of the above.

C. Make copies and enter into his/her notary public journal

D. The notary public should decline and advise the person requesting the notarization to consult a member of the California State Bar.

42 / 45

AP. Marissa recently moved from San Diego county to Orange County. Which of the following is true.

A. File a change of address to avoid a $500 fine.

B. She must file a new oath and bond at the at Orange County Clerk’s office.

C. Get a new notary seal.

D. File a change of address to avoid a $750 fine.

43 / 45

AQ. Virginia has taken the notary class online and just passed her notary test with a score of 70%. She now has 30 days to:

A. Buy a $15,000 surety bond.

B. Take her oath of office at the County Clerk’s Office.

C. Re-take her test until she receives a score of 75%.

D. None of the above.

44 / 45

AR. Felicia is called to notarize a document at a nursing home, where she meets Carlton, the document signer. He is unable to sign his own name and therefore says he has brought his daughter and granddaughter to act as the Subscribing Witness and Credible Witness respectfully. How shall Felicia proceed?

A. None of the above

B. Refuse because the Carlton’s granddaughter is under 18 years of age

C. Require an ID from Carlton’s daughter.

D. Require Carlton sign the Proof of Execution by Subscribing Witness form.

45 / 45

AS. Maria, a Spanish speaking notary, wants to advertise to the Spanish speaking community. She creates a sign that reads, “Notario Publico,” followed by the term, “I am not an attorney and therefore cannot give legal advice on immigration matters or any other legal matters,” both in English and Spanish. Which of the following is true

A. Maria will face a fine of $1,000 for giving legal advice.

B. Maria will face a fine of $1,500.

C. Maria will have her notary licensed revoked.

D. Maria has included the required legal disclaimer.

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California Notary Exam 2025 - Practice Test

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