--- title: "California Notary Exam Practice Questions With Answers" description: "20 free California notary exam practice questions, each with the answer, a short reason and the official source it comes from. Unofficial; not the state's exam." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/become-a-notary/california-notary-exam-practice-questions" --- Become a notary in California # California notary exam practice questions ## Overview California's exam is one of the hardest in the country and is based on the Secretary of State's handbook. These questions follow the handbook's topics, including the journal and thumbprint rules. **Quick answer.** These 20 California practice questions are written from the state's own notary law and handbook, each with the answer and its source. To get a California commission: take a 6-hour approved course, pass the written exam, apply for $20 with a passport photo, and clear a Live Scan background check. Once commissioned, buy a $15,000 bond and file it with your oath at the county clerk within 30 calendar days, or the commission is void. California notaries cannot notarize remotely yet. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) New to the process? Start with [how to become a notary in California](/notary/become-a-notary/california). - How many items on the California notary exam count toward your score? 50 - 40 - 30 - 45 **Show the answer** **B. 40** 45 items: 40 scored and 5 unscored (CPS HR exam page). Source: CPS HR Consulting, California Notary Exam information page (the Secretary of State's exam administrator) - How long do you have to complete the California notary exam? 30 minutes - 1 hour - 2 hours - 90 minutes **Show the answer** **B. 1 hour** The exam has a one-hour time limit (CPS HR exam page). Source: CPS HR Consulting, California Notary Exam information page (the Secretary of State's exam administrator) - What is the minimum age for a California notary? 21 - 18 - 25 - 16 **Show the answer** **B. 18** §8201: 18 or older; no maximum age. Source: California Secretary of State, Requirements to Become a Notary Public (sos.ca.gov/notary/qualifications) - Which is a qualification under §8201? Five years of state residency - Legal California resident - Prior US military service - A two-year college degree **Show the answer** **B. Legal California resident** Applicants must be legal California residents. Source: California Secretary of State, Requirements to Become a Notary Public (sos.ca.gov/notary/qualifications) - What bond must a California notary file? $15,000 - $10,000 - $25,000 - $5,000 **Show the answer** **A. $15,000** §8212: a $15,000 surety bond. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Where are the oath and bond filed? With the Secretary of State - With the bonding company only - With the county clerk - With the DOJ **Show the answer** **C. With the county clerk** §§8212, 8213: county clerk. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Within how many days must a notary report a change of business or residence address? 30 - 10 - 60 - 15 **Show the answer** **A. 30** §8213.5: 30 days, by certified mail or receipted delivery. Source: California Secretary of State, Notary Public FAQs (sos.ca.gov/notary/faqs) - Willfully failing to report an address change is: Not punishable if reported at renewal - A misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,500 - An infraction with a fine of up to $500 - A felony punishable by commission revocation **Show the answer** **C. An infraction with a fine of up to $500** §8213.5. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Which item is NOT required on a California notary seal? The State Seal - The county where the oath and bond are filed - The commission expiration date - The notary's home address **Show the answer** **D. The notary's home address** §8207 lists name, State Seal, "Notary Public", county, expiration date, commission and vendor numbers. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Maximum size of a circular seal: 1 1/2 inches across - 2 inches across - 3 inches across - 1 inch across **Show the answer** **B. 2 inches across** §8207: no more than two inches in diameter. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - How many active sequential journals may a notary keep at one time? One at a time - Two at a time - One per county - As many as needed **Show the answer** **A. One at a time** §8206(a): one active sequential journal at a time. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - A right thumbprint is required in the journal for: A jurat on an affidavit - An oath - A grant deed - A copy of a power of attorney **Show the answer** **C. A grant deed** §8206: real property documents and powers of attorney. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - A California driver license used as ID must be: Current only, never expired by even one day - Current or issued within the past 5 years - Issued at any time, if the photo still matches - Current or issued within the past 10 years **Show the answer** **B. Current or issued within the past 5 years** Civil Code §1185. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Is a US passport card acceptable ID? Only for jurats, not acknowledgments - Only along with a second photo ID - No, only a passport book - Yes, like a passport book **Show the answer** **D. Yes, like a passport book** SOS FAQ: Civil Code §1185(b)(3)(B) does not distinguish book and card. Source: California Secretary of State, Notary Public FAQs (sos.ca.gov/notary/faqs) - Under California law, a signer on a live video call is: Present for jurats but not acknowledgments - Personally present for any act - Present if the call is recorded - Not making a personal appearance **Show the answer** **D. Not making a personal appearance** Handbook: a video image is not a personal appearance. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - For an acknowledgment, the signer: Must take an oath that the contents are true - Need not appear if the notary already knows the signer's signature - Must sign the document in front of the notary - May sign beforehand but must appear and acknowledge it **Show the answer** **D. May sign beforehand but must appear and acknowledge it** Civil Code §1189. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Maximum fee for taking an acknowledgment: $10 for each signature - $20 for each signer - $15 for each document - $15 for each signature **Show the answer** **D. $15 for each signature** §8211. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - A notary is the grantee on a deed. May the notary notarize the grantor's signature? No, it gives a direct financial or beneficial interest - Yes, as long as the notary charges no fee - Yes, if a disinterested witness also signs the journal - Yes, because only the grantor's signature is notarized **Show the answer** **A. No, it gives a direct financial or beneficial interest** §8224. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - A non-attorney notary advertising in Spanish may translate "Notary Public" as "notario publico": Only in some California counties - No, not even with the notice - Yes, if the notice is posted - Yes, but only in online ads **Show the answer** **B. No, not even with the notice** §8219.5. Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) - Unauthorized practice of law by a notary is: Allowed when the forms are simple and fill-in-the-blank - Not covered by the Government Code at all - Only a $15 fine for each document prepared - Grounds to refuse, revoke or suspend a commission **Show the answer** **D. Grounds to refuse, revoke or suspend a commission** §8214.1(g). Source: California Secretary of State, 2026 Notary Public Handbook, January 2026 (notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf) Want all 100? ### California Notary Exam Prep Misconduct and fees are 15 of the 40 scored items on the California exam. Learn the handbook rules behind them, then check yourself on 100 questions. [See the exam prep ($29)](/toolkits/ca-notary-exam-prep) [Free sample](/toolkits/ca-notary-exam-prep#free-starter)14-day full refund [California starter kit ($29)](/toolkits/ca-notary-starter-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/ca-notary-starter-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund Join us when you're commissioned ### Paid notary work in California, per job MCC Solutions sends notary and loan signing jobs to independent notaries as requests come in. Each job shows its pay up front, and you choose which ones you take. We can't promise volume. Once you hold your commission (and E&O insurance), you can [see how it works in California and apply](/notary/join/states/california). Unofficial practice questions written from the public sources named under each answer. They are not the state's exam, are not affiliated with the State of California, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials. FAQ ## Quick answers **How many items on the California notary exam count toward your score?** 40. 45 items: 40 scored and 5 unscored (CPS HR exam page). **How long do you have to complete the California notary exam?** 1 hour. The exam has a one-hour time limit (CPS HR exam page). **What is the minimum age for a California notary?** 18. §8201: 18 or older; no maximum age. **Which is a qualification under §8201?** Legal California resident. Applicants must be legal California residents. **What bond must a California notary file?** $15,000. §8212: a $15,000 surety bond. ## Need a document notarized instead? [Book a notary](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)