Oregon notary exam practice questions

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

1. What is the minimum age to become an Oregon notary?

   1. 21
   2. 19
   3. 18
   4. 16
   Show the answer

   C. 18

   ORS 194.315; Secretary of State qualification page.

   Source: ORS 194.315 (oregonlegislature.gov)

2. Which connection to Oregon must an applicant have?

   1. Ownership of real property in an Oregon county
   2. Registration as a voter in an Oregon county
   3. Oregon residence, or a place of employment or practice in Oregon
   4. At least two years of Oregon residence immediately before the application
   Show the answer

   C. Oregon residence, or a place of employment or practice in Oregon

   ORS 194.315; qualification page.

   Source: ORS 194.315 (oregonlegislature.gov)

3. Which language skill is required?

   1. Bilingual in English and Spanish
   2. Speak English only
   3. Able to read and write English
   4. No language requirement
   Show the answer

   C. Able to read and write English

   ORS 194.315.

   Source: ORS 194.315 (oregonlegislature.gov)

4. How long is an Oregon notary commission?

   1. 2 years
   2. 8 years
   3. 5 years
   4. 4 years
   Show the answer

   D. 4 years

   ORS 194.315.

   Source: ORS 194.315 (oregonlegislature.gov)

5. Before the Secretary issues a commission, the applicant must:

   1. Execute an oath of office and submit it to the Secretary
   2. Record the commission with the county clerk of the county of residence
   3. Post a $10,000 bond with the Secretary
   4. Buy an embosser from an approved vendor
   Show the answer

   A. Execute an oath of office and submit it to the Secretary

   ORS 194.315.

   Source: ORS 194.315 (oregonlegislature.gov)

6. How does an approved applicant receive the oath form?

   1. At the county courthouse
   2. By certified mail only
   3. By email
   4. From the training provider
   Show the answer

   C. By email

   Commission Application page.

   Source: Oregon Secretary of State, Commission Application/Reapplication page (sos.oregon.gov)

7. An Oregon notary's spouse is a party to a record. The notary:

   1. May not notarize it; such an act is voidable
   2. May notarize it if the spouse consents in writing
   3. May notarize it if no fee is charged
   4. May notarize it with a credible witness present
   Show the answer

   A. May not notarize it; such an act is voidable

   ORS 194.225.

   Source: ORS 194.225 (oregonlegislature.gov)

8. May an Oregon notarial officer certify that a paper copy of an electronic record is accurate?

   1. Only attorneys
   2. Yes, that is allowed
   3. No
   4. Only county clerks and their deputies
   Show the answer

   B. Yes, that is allowed

   ORS 194.225.

   Source: ORS 194.225 (oregonlegislature.gov)

9. Which item must an Oregon notarial certificate include for a notary?

   1. The signer's home address
   2. The commission expiration date
   3. The notary's employer's name
   4. The fee charged for the act
   Show the answer

   B. The commission expiration date

   ORS 194.280; it is also signed and dated, identifies the jurisdiction and states the title.

   Source: ORS 194.280 (oregonlegislature.gov)

10. On a certificate for a paper record, a notary must:

    1. Record it with the county
    2. Attach a copy of the ID
    3. Add the signer's thumbprint
    4. Affix an official stamp
    Show the answer

    D. Affix an official stamp

    ORS 194.280.

    Source: ORS 194.280 (oregonlegislature.gov)

11. How long must an Oregon notary keep a journal?

    1. Until the commission expires, then send it to the Secretary
    2. 10 years after the last notarial act recorded in it
    3. 3 years after the last act recorded in it
    4. 5 years after the last act recorded in it
    Show the answer

    B. 10 years after the last notarial act recorded in it

    ORS 194.300.

    Source: ORS 194.300 (oregonlegislature.gov)

12. What form must a paper journal take?

    1. Any notebook the notary chooses
    2. A bound book with numbered pages
    3. Index cards filed by date
    4. A loose-leaf binder with dividers
    Show the answer

    B. A bound book with numbered pages

    ORS 194.300.

    Source: ORS 194.300 (oregonlegislature.gov)

13. What is the most an Oregon notary may charge for an in-person notarial act?

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

    A. $10

    ORS 194.400.

    Source: ORS 194.400 (oregonlegislature.gov)

14. What is the most an Oregon notary may charge for a remote notarial act under ORS 194.277?

    1. $15
    2. $25
    3. $40
    4. $10
    Show the answer

    B. $25

    ORS 194.400.

    Source: ORS 194.400 (oregonlegislature.gov)

15. Does an Oregon notary commission authorize giving advice on immigration?

    1. No, it does not
    2. Yes, it does
    3. Only with a disclaimer
    4. Only in Spanish
    Show the answer

    A. No, it does not

    ORS 194.350.

    Source: ORS 194.350 (oregonlegislature.gov)

16. Who may use the term "notario publico" in Oregon?

    1. Only licensed attorneys
    2. Any notary with a disclaimer
    3. Any notary
    4. Any bilingual notary
    Show the answer

    A. Only licensed attorneys

    ORS 194.350.

    Source: ORS 194.350 (oregonlegislature.gov)

17. May a county clerk accept a paper copy of an electronic record for recording?

    1. Only with a court order directing recording
    2. No, never; only original paper documents with ink signatures are recorded
    3. Yes, with a statement certifying it is an accurate copy
    4. Only from attorneys licensed in Oregon
    Show the answer

    C. Yes, with a statement certifying it is an accurate copy

    ORS 194.305.

    Source: ORS 194.305 (oregonlegislature.gov)

18. Someone knowingly obtains or destroys a notary's journal or records without authority. This is:

    1. Allowed for employers
    2. A civil matter only
    3. A Class B misdemeanor
    4. Not an offense
    Show the answer

    C. A Class B misdemeanor

    ORS 194.990.

    Source: ORS 194.990 (oregonlegislature.gov)

19. What civil penalty may the Secretary of State impose per violation?

    1. Up to $500
    2. Up to $10,000
    3. Up to $100
    4. Up to $1,500
    Show the answer

    D. Up to $1,500

    ORS 194.980.

    Source: ORS 194.980 (oregonlegislature.gov)

20. Before performing a first act on an electronic record, an Oregon notary must:

    1. Register the technology with the county clerk where the notary lives
    2. Notify the Secretary of State and identify the technology
    3. Post a second surety bond that covers only electronic records
    4. Buy an electronic embosser from a vendor approved by the state
    Show the answer

    B. Notify the Secretary of State and identify the technology

    ORS 194.305.

    Source: ORS 194.305 (oregonlegislature.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 Oregon, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.