--- title: "Montana Notary Exam Practice Questions With Answers" description: "20 free Montana 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/montana-notary-exam-practice-questions" --- Become a notary in Montana # Montana notary exam practice questions ## Overview **Quick answer.** These 20 Montana practice questions are written from the state's own notary law and handbook, each with the answer and its source. To get a Montana commission: complete 4 hours of approved training, pass the Montana notary exam with 80%, buy a $25,000 bond on the state's form, then apply online at biz.sosmt.gov with your certificates and the $25 fee. Training counts for 12 months and the exam result for 6, so take them close together. Commissions last four years, and every notarial act goes in a journal. ✓ 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 Montana](/notary/become-a-notary/montana). - What is the minimum age for a Montana notary commission? 21 - 25 - 19 - 18 **Show the answer** **D. 18** Applying for a Commission. Source: Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal), Montana Secretary of State (sosmt.gov) - Which citizenship status does Montana require? U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident - Any status, with a Montana mailing address - U.S. citizen born in Montana or a bordering state - 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) - A nonresident can qualify in which situation? Holding a current Montana professional license - Holding a notary commission in a neighboring state - Owning a cabin or ranch land somewhere in Montana - 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) - What bond amount does a Montana notary need? $5,000 - $15,000 - $10,000 - $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) - About how much does the Secretary say a four-year bond costs? About $250 to $500 - About $10 to $15 - About $1,000 - 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) - Which statement about the bond's purpose is correct? It covers the notary's stamp, journal and training costs during the four-year term - 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 - It reimburses a person harmed by notary misconduct, up to the limit; the notary may have to repay the bonding company - 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) - How long is a Montana notary commission? 2 years - 4 years - 10 years - 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) - When may a renewal application be submitted? Any time during the final year of the commission, with no grace period at all - Only after the commission expires, within 90 days of the expiration date - No more than 30 days before expiration, and not after a 30-day grace period - 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) - Which continuing education meets the renewal requirement? 1 hour each year of the term, from any provider in any state - 4 hours in the 12 months before applying, or 2 hours in each of the 3 prior years - 8 hours in the final year of the term, taken only in person at the Secretary's office in Helena - 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) - What shape and size is the Montana notary stamp? Any shape, as long as it is legible - Square, about 2 inches on each side, with a border - Rectangular, about 1 inch by 2 1/2 inches - 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) - What ink colors may a Montana stamp use? Any color - Purple only, for all acts - Blue or black only - 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) - Which title must appear on the Montana stamp? "Commissioned Notary, Montana Secretary of State" - "Montana Notarial Officer" and the license number - "Official Notary Seal, County of" and the county - "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) - Which notarial acts must a Montana notary record in a journal? All notarial acts - Only acknowledgments - Only acts with fees - 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) - Which journal formats are allowed? Loose-leaf pages kept in a binder that can be rearranged at any time - A permanent bound paper journal or a tamper-evident electronic journal - A spreadsheet that the notary can edit and update after each act - 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) - How long may an ID have been expired and still count as satisfactory evidence? It must be current on the day of the act - Not more than 1 year before the act - Not more than 3 years before the act - 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) - Which ID can be satisfactory evidence in Montana? A business card and a personal check - A store loyalty card with the person's name and photo - A government-issued ID with a photo or signature - 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) - What is the maximum fee for a Montana notarial act such as an acknowledgment or jurat? $25 - $10 - $5 - $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) - When may a Montana notary charge for travel? Never; travel is included in the $10 notarial fee for every act - Always, at any rate the notary chooses, as long as the notary posts the rate on a website in advance - Only if explained as not set by law, agreed in advance, and not above the IRS mileage rate - 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) - When did Montana's Legislature authorize remote online notarization? 2015 - 2019 - 2021 - 2025 **Show the answer** **B. 2019** Montana Notary Public Handbook. Source: Montana Notary Public Handbook (sosmt.gov) - What must a notary do to add remote notarization? Nothing; every commissioned Montana notary may begin remote acts right away - Choose an approved platform, complete the course, pass the exam and file an amendment - Buy a second $25,000 bond and record it with the county clerk and recorder - 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) Want all 100? ### Montana Notary Exam Prep Montana's notary exam takes 80% and is separate from your 4 hours of approved training. Time them together, since training counts for 12 months and the exam for 6, and practice first with 100 questions. [See the exam prep ($29)](/toolkits/mt-notary-exam-prep) [Free sample](/toolkits/mt-notary-exam-prep#free-starter)14-day full refund [Montana starter kit ($29)](/toolkits/mt-notary-starter-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/mt-notary-starter-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund Join us when you're commissioned ### Paid notary work in Montana, 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 Montana and apply](/notary/join/states/montana). 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. FAQ ## Quick answers **What is the minimum age for a Montana notary commission?** 18. Applying for a Commission. **Which citizenship status does Montana require?** U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. Applying for a Commission. **A nonresident can qualify in which situation?** 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. **What bond amount does a Montana notary need?** $25,000. Applying for a Commission; Bonds, Stamps, and Journals. **About how much does the Secretary say a four-year bond costs?** About $50 to $70. Bonds, Stamps, and Journals. ## Need a document notarized instead? [Book a notary](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)