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Notary Public Exam — Core Principles

Journal, seal and certificates: practice questions

Our Notary Public bank has 13 questions on this topic. Here are 4 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

When should the signer sign the notary journal?

  1. Within 24 hours after the notarization
  2. At the time of the notarization
  3. Before the notary arrives
  4. A week later
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B. At the time of the notarization — The journal signature is evidence of personal appearance.

Question 2

What information is usually recorded in a notary journal?

  1. Date, type of act, document description, signer's name and address, ID used, fee and signer's signature
  2. The document's full text
  3. Only the signer's phone number
  4. Only the fee
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A. Date, type of act, document description, signer's name and address, ID used, fee and signer's signature — Requirements vary by state.

Question 3

Can a notary backdate a certificate?

  1. Yes, up to 30 days back
  2. Yes, if the signer asks and the earlier date is accurate
  3. No, the date must be the actual date of the notarial act
  4. Yes, for tax documents
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C. No, the date must be the actual date of the notarial act — Backdating is fraud.

Question 4

What should a notary do if the notarial certificate wording on a document is missing?

  1. Refuse all notarizations
  2. Attach a proper loose certificate if the signer chooses the act, as state law allows
  3. Write a new legal document
  4. Write wording yourself that best fits the document and choose the act for the signer
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B. Attach a proper loose certificate if the signer chooses the act, as state law allows — The signer chooses the type of certificate.

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