Connecticut notary exam practice questions

New to the process? Start with how to become a notary in Connecticut.

1. How does a Connecticut applicant take the notary exam?

   1. At a Pearson testing center
   2. As part of the online notary application
   3. In a classroom after a 6-hour course
   4. At the town clerk's office after appointment
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   B. As part of the online notary application

   The Secretary of the State's page: the application contains the examination.

   Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State, Notary Public Licensing page (portal.ct.gov)

2. How is the Connecticut notary exam completed?

   1. Before a proctor at a testing site
   2. With a credible witness present
   3. Orally before a judge
   4. Under oath, by the applicant
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   D. Under oath, by the applicant

   The Secretary of the State's page: the applicant completes the examination under oath.

   Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State, Notary Public Licensing page (portal.ct.gov)

3. How long is a Connecticut notary appointment?

   1. 7 years
   2. 10 years
   3. 5 years
   4. 4 years
   Show the answer

   C. 5 years

   C.G.S. § 3-94c(a) and the Secretary of the State's page.

   Source: C.G.S. § 3-94c (cga.ct.gov)

4. On what day does a Connecticut notary term end?

   1. The last day of the month of appointment, five years later
   2. December 31 of the fifth year of the term
   3. The fifth anniversary of the date the appointment was made
   4. June 30 of the fifth year, at the end of the fiscal year
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   A. The last day of the month of appointment, five years later

   C.G.S. § 3-94c(a).

   Source: C.G.S. § 3-94c (cga.ct.gov)

5. What is the fee to renew a Connecticut notary commission?

   1. $30
   2. $60
   3. $120
   4. $15
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   B. $60

   C.G.S. § 3-94d and the Secretary of the State's page.

   Source: C.G.S. § 3-94d (cga.ct.gov)

6. When may a notary commission be renewed?

   1. Only in the 30 days before the commission expires
   2. From 90 days before expiration to 90 days after expiration
   3. Only in the 6 months after the commission expires
   4. At any time during the five-year term, up to the last day
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   B. From 90 days before expiration to 90 days after expiration

   The Secretary of the State's page.

   Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State, Notary Public Licensing page (portal.ct.gov)

7. Which state police officers may be appointed notaries with no application fee?

   1. Majors, captains, lieutenants and sergeants
   2. Any state police employee, sworn or civilian
   3. Only the commissioner and deputy commissioners
   4. Troopers only, of any rank
   Show the answer

   A. Majors, captains, lieutenants and sergeants

   C.G.S. § 3-94e(a).

   Source: C.G.S. § 3-94e (cga.ct.gov)

8. A state police notary may perform which acts?

   1. Only copy certifications of police reports and records
   2. Every notarial act for any member of the public, the same as any other notary
   3. Only remote notarizations using approved technology
   4. Oaths, affirmations and acknowledgments tied to official police matters
   Show the answer

   D. Oaths, affirmations and acknowledgments tied to official police matters

   C.G.S. § 3-94e(b).

   Source: C.G.S. § 3-94e (cga.ct.gov)

9. In an acknowledgment, the signer tells the notary that the signer:

   1. Has consulted an attorney about the document
   2. Is a Connecticut resident or works in Connecticut
   3. Voluntarily signed the document for its stated purpose
   4. Has read every page of the document aloud
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   C. Voluntarily signed the document for its stated purpose

   C.G.S. § 3-94a(1).

   Source: C.G.S. § 3-94a (cga.ct.gov)

10. Which document may a Connecticut notary NOT certify a copy of?

    1. A signed residential lease
    2. A birth certificate (a vital record)
    3. A letter from a business on its letterhead
    4. A school or college diploma
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    B. A birth certificate (a vital record)

    C.G.S. § 3-94a(2) excludes vital records under § 7-36.

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94a (cga.ct.gov)

11. May a Connecticut notary refuse a lawful transaction?

    1. Never, under any circumstances, even if the fee is not paid
    2. Yes, for any reason the notary chooses, or none
    3. Only when the document involves real estate
    4. Not unreasonably, for a person who pays the statutory fee
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    D. Not unreasonably, for a person who pays the statutory fee

    C.G.S. § 3-94f.

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94f (cga.ct.gov)

12. Under the disqualification rule, a notary may not notarize:

    1. A document in another language
    2. A document the notary signed
    3. A document for a customer of the notary's employer
    4. A document for a co-worker
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    B. A document the notary signed

    C.G.S. § 3-94g.

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94g (cga.ct.gov)

13. Is a Connecticut notary required to use an official seal?

    1. Yes, an embosser is required
    2. Yes, an inked stamp is required
    3. No, a notary may keep and use one
    4. Only for real estate documents
    Show the answer

    C. No, a notary may keep and use one

    C.G.S. § 3-94j(a) says notaries may keep and use an official seal.

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94j (cga.ct.gov)

14. Who may use a notary's official seal?

    1. Only the notary
    2. The notary's employer
    3. Any notary in the office
    4. The notary's spouse
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    A. Only the notary

    C.G.S. § 3-94j(a).

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94j (cga.ct.gov)

15. A notary's official misconduct causes someone a loss. The notary is:

    1. Liable only for up to $500 per act
    2. Never liable while acting in good faith
    3. Liable for the damages proximately caused
    4. Liable only if the notary is bonded
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    C. Liable for the damages proximately caused

    C.G.S. § 3-94l(a).

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94l (cga.ct.gov)

16. When is an employer liable for a notary employee's misconduct?

    1. Never, because notaries hold their appointments personally
    2. Only if the employer is a bank or other financial institution
    3. When the employer directed, encouraged, consented to, ratified or approved it
    4. Always, for any notarial act the employee performs during working hours
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    C. When the employer directed, encouraged, consented to, ratified or approved it

    C.G.S. § 3-94l(b).

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94l (cga.ct.gov)

17. A resident notary changes residence address. Written notice to the Secretary is due within:

    1. 30 days
    2. 45 days
    3. 60 days
    4. 10 days
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    A. 30 days

    C.G.S. § 3-94n.

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-94n (cga.ct.gov)

18. From July 1, 2026, what is the most a Connecticut notary may charge for any notarial act?

    1. $15
    2. $5
    3. $10
    4. $25
    Show the answer

    C. $10

    The Secretary of the State's page: Public Act 26-81 raised the fee from $5 to $10, effective July 1, 2026.

    Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State, Notary Public Licensing page (portal.ct.gov)

19. May a Connecticut notary give legal advice in immigration matters?

    1. Yes, after five years as a commissioned notary
    2. Yes, if the notary charges no fee and states that in writing
    3. Only if admitted as an attorney or authorized under 8 CFR 292.2
    4. Yes, in Spanish only, with a written disclaimer
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    C. Only if admitted as an attorney or authorized under 8 CFR 292.2

    C.G.S. § 3-95a(a).

    Source: C.G.S. § 3-95a (cga.ct.gov)

20. When did Connecticut's remote notarial act law (Public Act 23-28) take effect?

    1. October 1, 2023
    2. October 1, 2021
    3. July 1, 2026
    4. January 1, 2020
    Show the answer

    A. October 1, 2023

    Public Act 23-28, effective October 1, 2023.

    Source: Public Act 23-28, section 1 (C.G.S. § 3-95b), chaptered text

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 Connecticut, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.