Montana notary exam practice questions

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

1. What is the minimum age for a Montana notary commission?

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

   D. 18

   Applying for a Commission.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

2. Which citizenship status does Montana require?

   1. U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
   2. Any status, with a Montana mailing address
   3. U.S. citizen born in Montana or a bordering state
   4. A valid work visa issued by any country
   Show the answer

   A. U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident

   Applying for a Commission.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

3. A nonresident can qualify in which situation?

   1. Holding a current Montana professional license
   2. Holding a notary commission in a neighboring state
   3. Owning a cabin or ranch land somewhere in Montana
   4. Having visited Montana for work within the last year
   Show the answer

   A. Holding a current Montana professional license

   Applying for a Commission; also military spouses or dependents on active duty in Montana, a registered Montana place of business, or regular Montana employment.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

4. What bond amount does a Montana notary need?

   1. $5,000
   2. $15,000
   3. $10,000
   4. $25,000
   Show the answer

   D. $25,000

   Applying for a Commission; Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

5. About how much does the Secretary say a four-year bond costs?

   1. About $250 to $500
   2. About $10 to $15
   3. About $1,000
   4. About $50 to $70
   Show the answer

   D. About $50 to $70

   Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

   Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

6. Which statement about the bond's purpose is correct?

   1. It covers the notary's stamp, journal and training costs during the four-year term
   2. It insures the notary against any lawsuit, and the bonding company pays all of the costs without any right to be repaid by the notary
   3. It reimburses a person harmed by notary misconduct, up to the limit; the notary may have to repay the bonding company
   4. It pays the notary's legal fees if a signer complains to the Secretary of State about an act
   Show the answer

   C. It reimburses a person harmed by notary misconduct, up to the limit; the notary may have to repay the bonding company

   Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

   Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

7. How long is a Montana notary commission?

   1. 2 years
   2. 4 years
   3. 10 years
   4. 6 years
   Show the answer

   B. 4 years

   Applying for a Commission.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

8. When may a renewal application be submitted?

   1. Any time during the final year of the commission, with no grace period at all
   2. Only after the commission expires, within 90 days of the expiration date
   3. No more than 30 days before expiration, and not after a 30-day grace period
   4. No more than 90 days before expiration, with a one-year grace period after
   Show the answer

   C. No more than 30 days before expiration, and not after a 30-day grace period

   Applying for a Commission.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

9. Which continuing education meets the renewal requirement?

   1. 1 hour each year of the term, from any provider in any state
   2. 4 hours in the 12 months before applying, or 2 hours in each of the 3 prior years
   3. 8 hours in the final year of the term, taken only in person at the Secretary's office in Helena
   4. None; renewing notaries only pay the fee and buy a new bond
   Show the answer

   B. 4 hours in the 12 months before applying, or 2 hours in each of the 3 prior years

   Applying for a Commission.

   Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

10. What shape and size is the Montana notary stamp?

    1. Any shape, as long as it is legible
    2. Square, about 2 inches on each side, with a border
    3. Rectangular, about 1 inch by 2 1/2 inches
    4. Round, about 1 1/2 inches across
    Show the answer

    C. Rectangular, about 1 inch by 2 1/2 inches

    Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

    Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

11. What ink colors may a Montana stamp use?

    1. Any color
    2. Purple only, for all acts
    3. Blue or black only
    4. Black or red
    Show the answer

    C. Blue or black only

    Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

    Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

12. Which title must appear on the Montana stamp?

    1. "Commissioned Notary, Montana Secretary of State"
    2. "Montana Notarial Officer" and the license number
    3. "Official Notary Seal, County of" and the county
    4. "Notary Public for the State of Montana"
    Show the answer

    D. "Notary Public for the State of Montana"

    Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

    Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

13. Which notarial acts must a Montana notary record in a journal?

    1. All notarial acts
    2. Only acknowledgments
    3. Only acts with fees
    4. Only remote acts
    Show the answer

    A. All notarial acts

    Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

    Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

14. Which journal formats are allowed?

    1. Loose-leaf pages kept in a binder that can be rearranged at any time
    2. A permanent bound paper journal or a tamper-evident electronic journal
    3. A spreadsheet that the notary can edit and update after each act
    4. Sticky notes attached to copies of each document that was notarized
    Show the answer

    B. A permanent bound paper journal or a tamper-evident electronic journal

    Bonds, Stamps, and Journals.

    Source: Bonds, Stamps, and Journals - Tools of the Trade, Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov)

15. How long may an ID have been expired and still count as satisfactory evidence?

    1. It must be current on the day of the act
    2. Not more than 1 year before the act
    3. Not more than 3 years before the act
    4. Not more than 5 years before the act
    Show the answer

    C. Not more than 3 years before the act

    MCA 1-5-603(12).

    Source: MCA 1-5-603, as cited in the Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.gov)

16. Which ID can be satisfactory evidence in Montana?

    1. A business card and a personal check
    2. A store loyalty card with the person's name and photo
    3. A government-issued ID with a photo or signature
    4. A utility bill with the person's address
    Show the answer

    C. A government-issued ID with a photo or signature

    MCA 1-5-603(12): a passport, driver's license, nondriver ID or other government ID.

    Source: MCA 1-5-603, as cited in the Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.gov)

17. What is the maximum fee for a Montana notarial act such as an acknowledgment or jurat?

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

    B. $10

    MCA 1-5-626(1), as stated in the Handbook.

    Source: MCA 1-5-626, as cited in the Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.gov)

18. When may a Montana notary charge for travel?

    1. Never; travel is included in the $10 notarial fee for every act
    2. Always, at any rate the notary chooses, as long as the notary posts the rate on a website in advance
    3. Only if explained as not set by law, agreed in advance, and not above the IRS mileage rate
    4. Only for trips over 50 miles, at a flat rate of $1 per mile
    Show the answer

    C. Only if explained as not set by law, agreed in advance, and not above the IRS mileage rate

    Montana Notary Public Handbook.

    Source: Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.gov)

19. When did Montana's Legislature authorize remote online notarization?

    1. 2015
    2. 2019
    3. 2021
    4. 2025
    Show the answer

    B. 2019

    Montana Notary Public Handbook.

    Source: Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.gov)

20. What must a notary do to add remote notarization?

    1. Nothing; every commissioned Montana notary may begin remote acts right away
    2. Choose an approved platform, complete the course, pass the exam and file an amendment
    3. Buy a second $25,000 bond and record it with the county clerk and recorder
    4. Pass an in-person skills test at the Secretary of State's office in Helena
    Show the answer

    B. Choose an approved platform, complete the course, pass the exam and file an amendment

    Montana Notary Public Handbook.

    Source: Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.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 Montana, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.