Maryland notary exam practice questions

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

1. Who must complete a course of study and pass an examination to become a Maryland notary?

   1. Only out-of-state applicants
   2. Only renewing notaries
   3. New applicants
   4. Only attorneys
   Show the answer

   C. New applicants

   New Applicant page; FAQ.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, New Applicant Information (sos.maryland.gov)

2. Since what date has Maryland required the course of study and exam for new applicants?

   1. January 22, 2024
   2. October 1, 2021
   3. July 1, 2019
   4. October 1, 2020
   Show the answer

   B. October 1, 2021

   FAQ; Town Hall slides.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

3. What is the minimum age for a Maryland notary?

   1. 18
   2. 19
   3. 21
   4. 25
   Show the answer

   A. 18

   FAQ.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

4. Which personal standard does the FAQ list for applicants?

   1. Membership in a notary association
   2. A four-year college degree
   3. Good moral character and integrity
   4. Five years of office experience
   Show the answer

   C. Good moral character and integrity

   FAQ.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

5. Where does an approved applicant take the oath?

   1. Before any notary
   2. Before the Secretary of State
   3. Before the state senator
   4. Before the Clerk of the Circuit Court
   Show the answer

   D. Before the Clerk of the Circuit Court

   New Applicant page.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, New Applicant Information (sos.maryland.gov)

6. Within how many days of notification must the oath be taken?

   1. 90 days
   2. 60 days
   3. 10 days
   4. 30 days
   Show the answer

   D. 30 days

   New Applicant page.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, New Applicant Information (sos.maryland.gov)

7. A notary wants a new commission in a new name. What are the fees?

   1. $6 to the Secretary and $11 at the clerk
   2. $30 for a new Handbook and $11 at the clerk
   3. $25 to the Secretary and nothing else
   4. No fee at all for a name change
   Show the answer

   A. $6 to the Secretary and $11 at the clerk

   FAQ.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

8. When does a new-name commission expire?

   1. On the notary's birthday
   2. On the original expiration date
   3. Four years after the change
   4. One year after the change
   Show the answer

   B. On the original expiration date

   FAQ.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

9. Which kinds of stamp may a Maryland notary use?

   1. Only a rectangular stamp in purple ink
   2. An ink stamp, embosser or electronic device that copies
   3. Only an electronic seal on a computer
   4. Only a round embosser that raises the paper
   Show the answer

   B. An ink stamp, embosser or electronic device that copies

   FAQ: it must be capable of being copied with the record.

   Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

10. Which item must the Maryland stamp show?

    1. The notary's home address
    2. The state senator's name
    3. The notary's commission number
    4. The county of commission or Baltimore City
    Show the answer

    D. The county of commission or Baltimore City

    FAQ, with the name as commissioned and the words Notary Public.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

11. How long must a Maryland journal be kept?

    1. 7 years after the oath
    2. 4 years after the first act
    3. Until the commission ends
    4. 10 years after the last act in it
    Show the answer

    D. 10 years after the last act in it

    FAQ; Town Hall slides.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

12. When are journal entries made?

    1. Once a month
    2. At the time of each act
    3. At the end of each day
    4. At renewal
    Show the answer

    B. At the time of each act

    FAQ.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

13. What is the most a Maryland notary may charge per signature for an original notarial act?

    1. $4
    2. $10
    3. $8
    4. $6
    Show the answer

    C. $8

    COMAR 01.02.08.02, effective January 22, 2024 (FAQ).

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

14. What is the most for each signature on additional copies signed at the same time?

    1. $1
    2. $2
    3. $4
    4. $8
    Show the answer

    C. $4

    FAQ.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

15. Where in Maryland may a Maryland notary act?

    1. Only in the senator's district
    2. Only in the county of commission
    3. Anywhere in Maryland
    4. Only at the notary's workplace
    Show the answer

    C. Anywhere in Maryland

    FAQ.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

16. Where must a Maryland notary be when performing any notarial act?

    1. Physically in Maryland
    2. In the commission county
    3. In the signer's state
    4. Anywhere in the US
    Show the answer

    A. Physically in Maryland

    FAQ: even for documents used elsewhere.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

17. Which is a notarial act a Maryland notary may perform?

    1. Certifying a copy of a record
    2. Granting an apostille
    3. Issuing a marriage license
    4. Recording a deed
    Show the answer

    A. Certifying a copy of a record

    Town Hall slides, with acknowledgments, verifications on oath, witnessing signatures and protests.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Town Hall slides, Jan. 4, 2024 (insurance.maryland.gov)

18. A record benefits the notary's spouse directly. Under State Government 18-203(b), the act is:

    1. Allowed with a witness
    2. Prohibited and voidable
    3. Required by law
    4. Allowed if free
    Show the answer

    B. Prohibited and voidable

    FAQ.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

19. Since when has remote notarization been legal in Maryland?

    1. October 1, 2021
    2. January 22, 2024
    3. October 1, 2020
    4. January 1, 2000
    Show the answer

    C. October 1, 2020

    FAQ.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

20. Which is a ground for the Secretary to deny or revoke a commission?

    1. Notarizing in a county other than one's own
    2. Using an embosser instead of an ink stamp
    3. False or misleading advertising about notary powers
    4. Charging less than the maximum fee allowed
    Show the answer

    C. False or misleading advertising about notary powers

    FAQ.

    Source: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary FAQ (sos.maryland.gov)

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