Texas notary exam practice questions

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

1. Under S.B. 693, what must a new applicant successfully complete to qualify as a notary?

   1. The education set under Gov't Code 406.023
   2. A 40-hour apprenticeship with a notary
   3. A college course in business law
   4. A written exam at the county clerk
   Show the answer

   A. The education set under Gov't Code 406.023

   S.B. 693 added the education requirement to Gov't Code 406.006.

   Source: S.B. 693, 89th Legislature, enrolled (capitol.texas.gov)

2. Where do Texas applicants complete the notary education requirement?

   1. At a county clerk's office
   2. In the SOS Notary Portal
   3. At a bonding agency's office
   4. At any community college
   Show the answer

   B. In the SOS Notary Portal

   Notary Public page and application guide.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State application guide, Notary Education steps (sos.texas.gov)

3. What must you do before you can start the assessment?

   1. Pass a criminal background check
   2. Post your $10,000 bond
   3. Buy your seal and record book
   4. Watch all four videos from start to finish
   Show the answer

   D. Watch all four videos from start to finish

   Application guide: a check mark appears above each completed video.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State application guide, Notary Education steps (sos.texas.gov)

4. What is the minimum age for a Texas notary?

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

   B. 18

   Training video NV1.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State training video NV1, What is a Notary? (sos.texas.gov)

5. Which residency requirement applies to a Texas notary?

   1. A Texas property owner
   2. A Texas resident
   3. Any US resident
   4. A resident of Texas or a bordering state
   Show the answer

   B. A Texas resident

   Training video NV1.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State training video NV1, What is a Notary? (sos.texas.gov)

6. A conviction for which of these bars a Texas commission?

   1. A felony or a crime of moral turpitude
   2. A personal bankruptcy filing
   3. Any traffic offense in the last five years
   4. A civil judgment for unpaid debt
   Show the answer

   A. A felony or a crime of moral turpitude

   Training video NV1.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State training video NV1, What is a Notary? (sos.texas.gov)

7. Which words must surround the star on a Texas notary seal?

   1. State Notary Officer
   2. Texas Notary Commission
   3. Notary Public, State of Texas
   4. Official Seal of Texas
   Show the answer

   C. Notary Public, State of Texas

   Gov't Code 406.013, on the Educational Information page.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

8. What figure do those words surround?

   1. A five-point star
   2. A map of Texas
   3. An eagle
   4. The state capitol
   Show the answer

   A. A five-point star

   Gov't Code 406.013.

   Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

9. Which notaries must include their notary ID number on the seal?

   1. Those commissioned or renewed since January 1, 2016
   2. Only notaries commissioned before 2016
   3. Only online notaries, on their electronic seal
   4. Only notaries who notarize real estate deeds
   Show the answer

   A. Those commissioned or renewed since January 1, 2016

   Educational Information page (HB 1683).

   Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

10. When must a Texas notary keep a record book?

    1. Whether or not fees are charged
    2. Only for real estate documents
    3. Only when fees are charged
    4. Only for online notarizations
    Show the answer

    A. Whether or not fees are charged

    Gov't Code 406.014.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

11. Which is a required record book entry under 406.014?

    1. The instrument's date and the notarization date
    2. The signer's Social Security number
    3. The signer's thumbprint
    4. The signer's driver's license number
    Show the answer

    A. The instrument's date and the notarization date

    Gov't Code 406.014.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

12. Which may NOT be written in the record book under 1 TAC 87.40?

    1. The date of notarization
    2. An ID card or passport number
    3. The signer's residence
    4. A brief description of the instrument
    Show the answer

    B. An ID card or passport number

    Educational Information page.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

13. If the signer is not personally known or identified by a credible witness, the notary must use:

    1. A credit card with the signer's name
    2. A government-issued ID card or US passport
    3. A utility bill with the signer's address
    4. A Social Security card
    Show the answer

    B. A government-issued ID card or US passport

    Educational Information page.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

14. Is a credit card alone enough to identify a signer?

    1. Yes, with a photo
    2. Yes, for short documents
    3. Yes
    4. No
    Show the answer

    D. No

    Educational Information page.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

15. In an acknowledgment, is the signer placed under oath?

    1. Only when the document was signed beforehand
    2. No; they declare they signed for the stated purpose
    3. Only when the document is a deed
    4. Yes, every signer swears an oath first
    Show the answer

    B. No; they declare they signed for the stated purpose

    Training video NV3.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State training video NV3, Types of Notarial Acts (sos.texas.gov)

16. May a document to be acknowledged be signed before the signer appears?

    1. Only online
    2. Yes
    3. No
    4. Only with a witness
    Show the answer

    B. Yes

    Training video NV3.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State training video NV3, Types of Notarial Acts (sos.texas.gov)

17. May a notary notarize their own signature?

    1. Only on a bond
    2. Only at renewal
    3. Yes
    4. No
    Show the answer

    D. No

    Educational Information page.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

18. A notary is financially interested in a transaction. The notary:

    1. May not take the acknowledgment
    2. Must charge double the fee
    3. May, if no fee is charged
    4. May, with a witness present
    Show the answer

    A. May not take the acknowledgment

    Educational Information page.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

19. What is the maximum fee for an acknowledgment, first signature?

    1. $1
    2. $25
    3. $10
    4. $6
    Show the answer

    C. $10

    Gov't Code 406.024.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.gov)

20. What is the maximum for each additional signature on an acknowledgment?

    1. $1
    2. $10
    3. 50 cents
    4. $5
    Show the answer

    A. $1

    Gov't Code 406.024.

    Source: Texas Secretary of State, Notary Public Educational Information (sos.texas.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 Texas, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.