California Notary Public Exam
Journal and thumbprints: practice questions
Our California Notary bank has 17 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What should a California notary do if the journal is lost or stolen?
- Start a new journal and not report the loss to anyone
- Notify the Secretary of State immediately by certified or registered mail, with details
- Wait until the end of the month and then report it together with any other changes to the commission
- Report it only to the employer, who will notify the state
Show the answer
B. Notify the Secretary of State immediately by certified or registered mail, with details — Include the period of entries and the notary's commission details.
Question 2
What is the maximum fee for providing a copy of a journal line item to a member of the public?
- $15 per page
- No fee may be charged
- $0.30 per page
- $1 per page
Show the answer
C. $0.30 per page — The notary must respond within 15 business days.
Question 3
What is the civil penalty for willfully refusing a peace officer access to the journal?
- No penalty
- Up to $2,500
- Up to $25,000
- Up to $50
Show the answer
B. Up to $2,500 — Journals must be available to peace officers on request.
Question 4
Who may inspect or get a copy of a line in a California notary's journal?
- A member of the public who makes a written request identifying the parties, type of document and month and year
- Only a court, never a member of the public
- Anyone who calls the notary and asks, without giving details
- Only the notary's employer, at any time
Show the answer
A. A member of the public who makes a written request identifying the parties, type of document and month and year — The notary should provide the copy within 15 business days.
Question 5
How long may county clerks keep notarial records before they can be destroyed by court order, if unused?
- 1 year
- 10 years from the date of deposit
- Forever
- 50 years from the date of deposit
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B. 10 years from the date of deposit — Notaries deliver journals to the clerk within 30 days when the commission ends.