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California Notary Public Exam

Scenarios: practice questions

Our California Notary bank has 12 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

A customer wants the notary to date a certificate with an earlier date. What should the notary do?

  1. Refuse; the certificate must show the actual date of the act
  2. Use the earlier date on the certificate, but note the real date in the journal
  3. Agree, if the customer pays extra
  4. Agree, since the document was signed earlier
Show the answer

A. Refuse; the certificate must show the actual date of the act — Backdating is a false certificate.

Question 2

A signer refuses to give a thumbprint for a deed of trust. What should the notary do?

  1. Use a credible witness's thumbprint
  2. Proceed without the thumbprint
  3. Note the refusal and proceed
  4. Refuse to notarize
Show the answer

D. Refuse to notarize — The thumbprint is required for documents affecting real property.

Question 3

A notary is asked to notarize her own signature on an application. What should she do?

  1. Notarize it if a witness is present
  2. Notarize it because she knows her own identity
  3. Refuse and have another notary notarize it
  4. Notarize it if there is no fee
Show the answer

C. Refuse and have another notary notarize it — A notary may not notarize their own signature.

Question 4

A customer offers to pay extra to skip identification because 'everyone here knows me'. What should the notary do?

  1. Refuse; satisfactory evidence of identity is required
  2. Accept, if the extra fee is under $15
  3. Accept, if another customer vouches
  4. Accept, because the notary knows the customer personally
Show the answer

A. Refuse; satisfactory evidence of identity is required — Personal knowledge isn't allowed and fees can't exceed the maximum.

Question 5

A signer appears confused and unsure what the document is. What should the notary do?

  1. Explain the legal effect of the document
  2. Notarize it with an extra fee
  3. Refuse to notarize
  4. Notarize it if a family member insists
Show the answer

C. Refuse to notarize — The notary must believe the signer understands and acts willingly.

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