Vermont notary exam practice questions

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

1. Which office commissions Vermont notaries?

   1. The town clerk where you live
   2. The clerk of the Vermont Supreme Court
   3. The Office of Professional Regulation
   4. Each county's assistant judges
   Show the answer

   C. The Office of Professional Regulation

   26 V.S.A. 5304 and 5341: the Office of Professional Regulation within the Secretary of State.

   Source: 26 V.S.A. 5341 (legislature.vermont.gov)

2. What does the basic examination under 26 V.S.A. 5341 cover?

   1. Vermont real estate closing practice
   2. Notarial statutes, rules and ethics
   3. Federal immigration forms
   4. Basic bookkeeping and tax law
   Show the answer

   B. Notarial statutes, rules and ethics

   26 V.S.A. 5341(b)(5).

   Source: 26 V.S.A. 5341 (legislature.vermont.gov)

3. Which initial applicants must pass the exam?

   1. Only applicants who previously held a commission in another state
   2. Only applicants who will perform remote and electronic notarial acts
   3. Every applicant, with no exemptions for any profession or employment
   4. Those who applied on or after February 1, 2021, unless exempt
   Show the answer

   D. Those who applied on or after February 1, 2021, unless exempt

   OPR Notary FAQs; exemptions in 26 V.S.A. 5305 and Rule 4-3.

   Source: OPR Notary FAQs (sos.vermont.gov)

4. How long is a Vermont notary commission term?

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

   C. Two years

   26 V.S.A. 5304: February 1 through January 31 of the second year.

   Source: 26 V.S.A. 5304 (legislature.vermont.gov)

5. On what date do Vermont notary commissions expire?

   1. December 31 of every year
   2. January 31 of odd-numbered years
   3. June 30 of every even-numbered year
   4. The applicant's birthday, every four years
   Show the answer

   B. January 31 of odd-numbered years

   OPR Notary FAQs; 26 V.S.A. 5304.

   Source: OPR Notary FAQs (sos.vermont.gov)

6. At what time on the expiration date does a commission expire?

   1. Midnight
   2. Noon
   3. 5 p.m.
   4. 8:30 a.m.
   Show the answer

   A. Midnight

   Rule 4-7; practicing after expiration violates 3 V.S.A. 127.

   Source: Administrative Rules for Notaries Public, Rule 4-7 (OPR)

7. Where must a Vermont notary be to perform a Vermont notarial act?

   1. Physically in Vermont
   2. Anywhere in New England
   3. Anywhere in the U.S.
   4. In the signer's state
   Show the answer

   A. Physically in Vermont

   Rule 4-4.

   Source: Administrative Rules for Notaries Public, Rule 4-4 (OPR)

8. Who may perform a notarial act in Vermont under 26 V.S.A. 5361?

   1. Any notary commissioned in any U.S. state
   2. Only a notary commissioned under chapter 103
   3. Any attorney licensed in any U.S. state
   4. Any adult who has a Vermont driver's license
   Show the answer

   B. Only a notary commissioned under chapter 103

   26 V.S.A. 5361; exempt law enforcement-related employees act within official duties under 5305.

   Source: 26 V.S.A. 5361 (legislature.vermont.gov)

9. What may a notary do with only a commission and no special endorsement?

   1. Electronic acts on electronic records using a digital certificate
   2. Remote acts by video for signers located anywhere in the United States
   3. Notarial acts on tangible records for signers who appear in person
   4. Any notarial act at all, in person, remote or electronic
   Show the answer

   C. Notarial acts on tangible records for signers who appear in person

   Rule 4-1; 26 V.S.A. 5341(e).

   Source: Administrative Rules for Notaries Public, Rule 4-1 (OPR)

10. Personal knowledge means the notary knows the individual through dealings giving:

    1. Absolute certainty of identity
    2. Knowledge of the person's address
    3. A family relationship to the person
    4. Reasonable certainty of identity
    Show the answer

    D. Reasonable certainty of identity

    26 V.S.A. 5365(a).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5365 (legislature.vermont.gov)

11. Which ID is satisfactory evidence under 26 V.S.A. 5365?

    1. A utility bill that shows the person's current address
    2. A credit card that carries the person's printed signature
    3. A passport, driver's license or government nondriver ID
    4. A membership card from a Vermont warehouse store
    Show the answer

    C. A passport, driver's license or government nondriver ID

    26 V.S.A. 5365(b).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5365 (legislature.vermont.gov)

12. How long may an identification credential be expired and still be used?

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

    B. No more than 3 years

    26 V.S.A. 5365(b).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5365 (legislature.vermont.gov)

13. When must a notarial certificate be completed?

    1. At the same time as the notarial act
    2. Within 30 days after the notarial act
    3. When the record is recorded
    4. Before the signer arrives
    Show the answer

    A. At the same time as the notarial act

    26 V.S.A. 5367(a)(1).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5367 (legislature.vermont.gov)

14. Which item must every Vermont notarial certificate state?

    1. The signer's date of birth and age
    2. The notary's home street address
    3. The fee the notary charged for the notarial act
    4. The notary's commission expiration date
    Show the answer

    D. The notary's commission expiration date

    26 V.S.A. 5367(a), with the signature and date, jurisdiction and title.

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5367 (legislature.vermont.gov)

15. May a notary sign a certificate before the act is performed?

    1. Only for jurats
    2. Only if dated
    3. No, never
    4. Yes, if busy
    Show the answer

    C. No, never

    26 V.S.A. 5367(e).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5367 (legislature.vermont.gov)

16. May a person act as a Vermont notary without a commission?

    1. Yes, if trained
    2. Only for oaths
    3. Yes, for family
    4. No, not allowed
    Show the answer

    D. No, not allowed

    26 V.S.A. 5345(a).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5345 (legislature.vermont.gov)

17. Does a Vermont commission authorize drafting legal records or giving legal advice?

    1. No, it does not
    2. Only for wills
    3. Yes, it does
    4. Only with a fee
    Show the answer

    A. No, it does not

    26 V.S.A. 5345(e).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5345 (legislature.vermont.gov)

18. May a notary withhold an original record from the person who asked for the act?

    1. Yes, for up to 30 days
    2. Yes, if the notary keeps a copy
    3. Yes, until the fee is paid
    4. No, except as the law allows
    Show the answer

    D. No, except as the law allows

    26 V.S.A. 5345(f).

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5345 (legislature.vermont.gov)

19. What does a notary need to perform electronic or remote notarial acts?

    1. Nothing beyond a commission
    2. A $10,000 bond for remote work
    3. A second commission from the county
    4. The special endorsement from OPR
    Show the answer

    D. The special endorsement from OPR

    26 V.S.A. 5341(d); Rule 6-1.

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5341 (legislature.vermont.gov)

20. Where must the notary be for a remote notarial act?

    1. In Vermont
    2. Anywhere in the U.S.
    3. At OPR
    4. In the signer's state
    Show the answer

    A. In Vermont

    26 V.S.A. 5379(b); Rule 8-4.

    Source: 26 V.S.A. 5379 (legislature.vermont.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 Vermont, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.