New Mexico notary exam practice questions

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

1. What must every new New Mexico notary applicant complete before applying?

   1. A written essay on the state constitution
   2. The Notary Education course and its exam
   3. A practice notarization at a county clerk
   4. A 40-hour apprenticeship with an attorney
   Show the answer

   B. The Notary Education course and its exam

   Become a Notary page; NMSA 14-14A-20 and 14-14A-21.

   Source: New Mexico Secretary of State, Become a Notary (sos.nm.gov)

2. Who gives the New Mexico notary course and exam?

   1. The State Bar of New Mexico, through its members
   2. Each county clerk, in person, once a month
   3. A vendor approved by the Secretary of State
   4. The State Ethics Commission, by mail only
   Show the answer

   C. A vendor approved by the Secretary of State

   Notarial Officer Handbook: fees go directly to the vendor.

   Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

3. What is the amount of the New Mexico notary bond?

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

   C. $10,000

   NMSA 14-14A-20; Become a Notary page.

   Source: New Mexico Secretary of State, Become a Notary (sos.nm.gov)

4. Who may issue the notary bond?

   1. The county clerk, from a county bond fund kept for notaries
   2. The applicant's employer, through its own insurance policy
   3. A surety licensed or authorized to do business in New Mexico
   4. Any bank anywhere in the United States, with a letter of credit
   Show the answer

   C. A surety licensed or authorized to do business in New Mexico

   Become a Notary page; Notarial Officer Handbook.

   Source: New Mexico Secretary of State, Become a Notary (sos.nm.gov)

5. How long is a New Mexico notary commission?

   1. Six years
   2. Ten years, renewable
   3. Two years
   4. Four years
   Show the answer

   D. Four years

   NMSA 14-14A-20.

   Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-20, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

6. How early may a notary file for renewal and keep the same month and day of expiration?

   1. Up to one year before expiration
   2. Up to six months before expiration
   3. Only on the day of expiration
   4. Up to one month before expiration
   Show the answer

   D. Up to one month before expiration

   Notarial Officer Handbook.

   Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

7. What font size must a New Mexico notary stamp use?

   1. 8-point
   2. 10-point
   3. 14-point
   4. 12-point
   Show the answer

   B. 10-point

   Notarial Officer Handbook.

   Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

8. Which item must appear on a notary public's stamp?

   1. The notary's birth date
   2. The New Mexico State seal
   3. The notary's home county name
   4. The notary's bond number
   Show the answer

   B. The New Mexico State seal

   Notarial Officer Handbook, with "State of New Mexico", "Notary Public", legal name, commission number and expiration date.

   Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

9. When must an automatic notarial officer register a stamp?

   1. Before performing any notarial act
   2. Only if a signer asks to see it
   3. Within 45 days after the first act
   4. At the end of each calendar year
   Show the answer

   A. Before performing any notarial act

   Notarial Officer Handbook.

   Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

10. Which officer may also be commissioned as a notary public to act outside official duties?

    1. No automatic officer may ever also hold a notary commission
    2. A county clerk or deputy who is not licensed to practice law
    3. A New Mexico-licensed attorney who already acts automatically
    4. Any automatic officer, but only for acts inside the courthouse
    Show the answer

    B. A county clerk or deputy who is not licensed to practice law

    Become a Notary page; NMSA 14-14A-20.

    Source: New Mexico Secretary of State, Become a Notary (sos.nm.gov)

11. In an acknowledgment, the signer:

    1. Asks the notary to check whether the document is legally valid
    2. Confirms the signature was voluntary, with authority if acting for someone else
    3. Swears an oath that every statement in the document is true and correct in every way
    4. Signs a second copy that the notary keeps in the journal
    Show the answer

    B. Confirms the signature was voluntary, with authority if acting for someone else

    Notarial Officer Handbook.

    Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

12. In a jurat, the person:

    1. Signs at home and later admits the signature to the notary by phone
    2. Mails the document to the notary with a copy of an ID
    3. Has the notary sign the document for them after reading it
    4. Signs in the notary's presence and takes an oath or affirmation
    Show the answer

    D. Signs in the notary's presence and takes an oath or affirmation

    Notarial Officer Handbook.

    Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.gov)

13. Must every New Mexico notarial officer keep a journal?

    1. Only for real estate records
    2. Yes, of every notarial act
    3. Only for remote online acts
    4. No; it is only suggested
    Show the answer

    B. Yes, of every notarial act

    NMSA 14-14A-18; Notarial Officer Handbook.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-18, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

14. How long must a journal be kept?

    1. Until the notary's next renewal date
    2. 10 years after the last act recorded
    3. 7 years after the first act recorded
    4. 4 years after the commission ends
    Show the answer

    B. 10 years after the last act recorded

    NMSA 14-14A-18.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-18, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

15. What is the maximum fee for an acknowledgment?

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

    A. $5

    NMSA 14-14A-28.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-28, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

16. What is the maximum fee for a jurat?

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

    B. $5

    NMSA 14-14A-28.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-28, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

17. Who may use the term "notario publico" in New Mexico?

    1. No one
    2. Any bilingual notary
    3. Any notary
    4. Only attorneys
    Show the answer

    D. Only attorneys

    NMSA 14-14A-24.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-24, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

18. How does the disclaimer a non-attorney notarial officer must include in ads begin?

    1. "This office is approved by the New Mexico Secretary of State."
    2. "I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state."
    3. "Notarization does not make any document legally valid."
    4. "All notary fees are set by the New Mexico Legislature."
    Show the answer

    B. "I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state."

    NMSA 14-14A-24.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-24, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

19. Where must the notarial officer be during a remote online notarization?

    1. Anywhere in the United States
    2. At the county clerk
    3. Physically in New Mexico
    4. In the signer's state
    Show the answer

    C. Physically in New Mexico

    NMSA 14-14A-5; Notarial Officer Handbook.

    Source: NMSA 1978 14-14A-5, as amended by SB 246 (2023) (nmlegis.gov)

20. What is the filing fee to add Remote Online Notary status?

    1. $25
    2. $75
    3. $30
    4. $3
    Show the answer

    B. $75

    Notarial Officer Handbook.

    Source: New Mexico Notarial Officer Handbook (sos.nm.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 New Mexico, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.