Rhode Island notary exam practice questions

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

1. What score shows sufficient knowledge on the Rhode Island Notary Knowledge Assessment?

   1. 80% or higher
   2. 75% or higher
   3. 70% or higher
   4. 100%, every item
   Show the answer

   A. 80% or higher

   Notary Public Manual; Apply for a New Commission page.

   Source: Rhode Island Department of State, Apply for a New Commission (sos.ri.gov)

2. An applicant scores below 80% on the Knowledge Assessment. What does the Department encourage?

   1. Hire an attorney to file the application
   2. Pay an extra fee and submit the application
   3. Wait one full year before applying again
   4. Review the Manual and retake the assessment
   Show the answer

   D. Review the Manual and retake the assessment

   Notary Public Manual.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

3. Who appoints Rhode Island notaries?

   1. The town clerk
   2. The Governor
   3. The Supreme Court
   4. The Attorney General
   Show the answer

   B. The Governor

   Notary Public Manual: the Governor is the commissioning officer.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

4. How long is a Rhode Island notary commission?

   1. Five years
   2. Seven years
   3. Two years
   4. Four years
   Show the answer

   D. Four years

   Notary Public Manual.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

5. What does the Department call a notary's primary duty?

   1. To deter fraud
   2. To draft documents
   3. To verify contracts
   4. To collect fees
   Show the answer

   A. To deter fraud

   Notaries Public hub page; Notary Public Manual.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

6. Which act may a Rhode Island notary perform?

   1. Issuing a subpoena
   2. Granting a divorce
   3. Recording a deed
   4. Issuing an apostille
   Show the answer

   A. Issuing a subpoena

   Notaries Public hub page; Manual citing R.I. Gen. Laws 9-17-3.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

7. Which ID meets the Manual's standard for satisfactory evidence?

   1. A recent utility bill sent to the signer's home address
   2. A credit card that has the signer's full name and signature on it
   3. A current government-issued document with photo and signature
   4. A signed letter from the signer's employer on letterhead
   Show the answer

   C. A current government-issued document with photo and signature

   Notary Public Manual.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

8. How long may an ID be expired and still be acceptable in the state?

   1. No more than 5 years
   2. It must be current
   3. No more than 1 year
   4. No more than 3 years
   Show the answer

   D. No more than 3 years

   Notary Public Manual.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

9. May a Rhode Island notary refuse when the number of requested acts makes it impractical to do them at once?

   1. Yes; the rest are scheduled for later
   2. No; the notary must finish them all now
   3. Only if the notary charges extra fees
   4. Only with the Department's permission
   Show the answer

   A. Yes; the rest are scheduled for later

   Notary Public Manual.

   Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

10. On which basis alone may a notary NOT refuse to notarize?

    1. The signer's advanced age or disability
    2. The signer is not physically present
    3. The signer cannot be identified
    4. The signer will not take a needed oath or affirmation
    Show the answer

    A. The signer's advanced age or disability

    Notary Public Manual: nor race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or health.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

11. Which notarial acts do NOT need a notarial certificate?

    1. Signature witnessings
    2. Oaths and affirmations
    3. Acknowledgments and jurats
    4. Copy certifications
    Show the answer

    B. Oaths and affirmations

    Notary Public Manual.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

12. Which item is a standard element of a state certificate?

    1. The signer's Social Security number
    2. The notary's commission ID number
    3. The notary's home address
    4. The fee charged for the act
    Show the answer

    B. The notary's commission ID number

    Notary Public Manual, with the venue, date, signer, ID statement, signature, stamp, title and expiration date.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

13. Does Rhode Island law require a notary journal?

    1. Yes, a bound journal is required for every act
    2. Yes, for real estate closings only
    3. No, but the Department strongly recommends one
    4. Only for remote online notarizations
    Show the answer

    C. No, but the Department strongly recommends one

    Notary Public Manual; Apply for a New Commission page.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

14. What kind of journal does the Department recommend?

    1. A spreadsheet that the notary updates once each month
    2. A loose-leaf binder so that pages can be removed and filed
    3. A permanently bound book with entries in chronological order
    4. Sticky notes attached to copies of each document
    Show the answer

    C. A permanently bound book with entries in chronological order

    Notary Public Manual.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

15. A signer can only make a mark. Who must be present?

    1. The notary and one family member
    2. The notary and two unaffected witnesses
    3. The notary alone, with no one else present
    4. Two notaries and an attorney
    Show the answer

    B. The notary and two unaffected witnesses

    Notary Public Manual: both witnesses sign beside the mark.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

16. A principal cannot sign or make a mark. When may the notary sign the principal's name?

    1. Whenever a family member of the principal asks the notary to do so
    2. Never; the act must be refused in every such case
    3. At the principal's direction, before two unaffected witnesses
    4. Only with a court order filed with the Department
    Show the answer

    C. At the principal's direction, before two unaffected witnesses

    Notary Public Manual.

    Source: Rhode Island Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

17. Which is a ground under R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-16 to deny or revoke a commission?

    1. Termination of the notary's bar admission or CPA certificate
    2. Using a round stamp instead of a rectangular one
    3. Keeping a journal in a permanently bound book
    4. Charging less than the $25 maximum fee for a notarization in the state
    Show the answer

    A. Termination of the notary's bar admission or CPA certificate

    R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-16, as cited in the Manual.

    Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-16, as cited in the Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

18. Who may deny, revoke or suspend a state commission under 42-30.1-16?

    1. The Superior Court
    2. The Governor
    3. The notary's employer
    4. The town clerk
    Show the answer

    B. The Governor

    R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-16, as cited in the Manual.

    Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-16, as cited in the Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

19. What must a notary do before performing electronic notarizations?

    1. Register with the Department and identify the tamper-evident technology
    2. Nothing more; every commissioned notary may notarize electronically
    3. Pass a second Knowledge Assessment with a score of at least 90 percent online
    4. Post a $10,000 bond with the Department of State for electronic acts
    Show the answer

    A. Register with the Department and identify the tamper-evident technology

    R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-14, as cited in the Manual.

    Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 42-30.1-14, as cited in the Notary Public Manual (sos.ri.gov)

20. Where must the notary be during a state remote online notarization?

    1. In the signer's state
    2. At the Department
    3. Anywhere in the U.S.
    4. In Rhode Island
    Show the answer

    D. In Rhode Island

    Electronic and Remote Online Notarization page.

    Source: Rhode Island Department of State, Electronic and Remote Online Notarization page (sos.ri.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 the state, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.