California Notary Public Exam
Identifying signers: practice questions
Our California Notary bank has 14 questions on this topic. Here are 3 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What must a credible witness swear or affirm?
- That the signer understands every clause in the document
- That the signer is who they claim to be, that the signer has no ID and it would be hard to get one, and that the witness has no interest in the document
- That the notary is properly commissioned and the seal is genuine
- That the document is legally valid and that its contents are true and accurate
Show the answer
B. That the signer is who they claim to be, that the signer has no ID and it would be hard to get one, and that the witness has no interest in the document — These statements are made under oath.
Question 2
An ID was issued six years ago and has expired. May a California notary rely on it?
- No, an ID must be current or issued within the past five years
- Yes, if the signer explains why the ID hasn't been renewed yet
- Yes, as long as the photo still looks like the signer
- Yes, but only for jurats, not for acknowledgments
Show the answer
A. No, an ID must be current or issued within the past five years — Expired IDs older than five years from issue don't qualify.
Question 3
What should a notary do if a signer's ID appears altered?
- Ask the signer to sign a statement that it is genuine
- Accept it if the signer has a second, unaltered ID that has expired
- Refuse the notarization
- Accept it and note the alteration in the journal
Show the answer
C. Refuse the notarization — A notary must be satisfied that the ID is genuine.