Wisconsin notary exam practice questions

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

1. What score must a Wisconsin applicant reach on the DFI notary exam?

   1. 75% or higher
   2. 70% or higher
   3. 80% or higher
   4. 90% or higher
   Show the answer

   D. 90% or higher

   DFI tutorial page and General Information page.

   Source: Wisconsin DFI, Notary Public Education Course and Exam introduction (apps.dfi.wi.gov)

2. Who must take the DFI notary exam?

   1. Every applicant for a 4-year commission, new or renewing
   2. Only first-time applicants, not renewing notaries
   3. Only Wisconsin attorneys seeking a commission
   4. Only notaries who will perform remote acts
   Show the answer

   A. Every applicant for a 4-year commission, new or renewing

   DFI tutorial page.

   Source: Wisconsin DFI, Notary Public Education Course and Exam introduction (apps.dfi.wi.gov)

3. What is the minimum age for a Wisconsin 4-year commission?

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

   B. 18

   Wis. Stat. § 140.02(1)(a).

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

4. Which residence requirement applies to a 4-year commission?

   1. A Wisconsin property owner
   2. A Wisconsin voter
   3. A Wisconsin resident for one year
   4. A United States resident
   Show the answer

   D. A United States resident

   Wis. Stat. § 140.02(1)(a); DFI General Information page.

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

5. Which commission may a Wisconsin-licensed attorney receive?

   1. A 10-year commission
   2. A permanent commission
   3. None; attorneys cannot be notaries
   4. A 1-year commission
   Show the answer

   B. A permanent commission

   Wis. Stat. § 140.02(2)(a); DFI General Information page.

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

6. What is the fee for an attorney's permanent commission?

   1. $3
   2. $500
   3. $50
   4. $20
   Show the answer

   C. $50

   Wis. Stat. § 140.02(2)(a).

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

7. What may a Wisconsin notary seal or stamp state?

   1. Any information the notary chooses to include, such as a phone number
   2. The notary's name, county of residence and commission expiration date
   3. Only "Notary Public", "State of Wisconsin" and the notary's name
   4. The notary's name, DFI commission number and the date of commission
   Show the answer

   C. Only "Notary Public", "State of Wisconsin" and the notary's name

   Wis. Stat. § 140.02(3)(a).

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

8. Which tool satisfies the Wisconsin seal requirement?

   1. A sticker printed at home with the notary's name and title
   2. A self-inking signature stamp that reproduces the notary's handwritten name
   3. A handwritten note stating the notary's name and title
   4. An engraved seal or a rubber stamp making a distinct, legible impression
   Show the answer

   D. An engraved seal or a rubber stamp making a distinct, legible impression

   Wis. Stat. § 140.02(3)(a).

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

9. Which act is included in Wisconsin's definition of 'notarial act'?

   1. Drafting a will for a client
   2. Giving legal advice on the meaning of a contract
   3. Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument
   4. Issuing an apostille for foreign use
   Show the answer

   C. Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument

   Wis. Stat. § 140.01(7).

   Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.01 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

10. A 'verification on oath or affirmation' is a declaration that:

    1. A statement in a record is true
    2. A copy of a record is accurate
    3. A signature was witnessed
    4. A bill of exchange was protested
    Show the answer

    A. A statement in a record is true

    Wis. Stat. § 140.01(18).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.01 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

11. Personal knowledge exists when the individual is known through dealings sufficient to provide:

    1. A family connection to the signer
    2. Reasonable certainty of identity
    3. A reasonable guess about identity
    4. Absolute certainty of identity
    Show the answer

    B. Reasonable certainty of identity

    Wis. Stat. § 140.07(1).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.07 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

12. A driver's license used as ID may be expired no more than:

    1. 5 years before the notarial act
    2. 1 year before the notarial act
    3. 6 months before the notarial act
    4. 3 years before the notarial act
    Show the answer

    D. 3 years before the notarial act

    Wis. Stat. § 140.07(2)(a)1.

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.07 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

13. What is the most a Wisconsin notary may charge for an acknowledgment?

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

    D. $5 per document

    Wis. Stat. § 140.02(9)(e), unless the department sets different fees.

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

14. What is the most a notary may charge for drawing and copying a protest of nonpayment of a note?

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

    C. $5

    Wis. Stat. § 140.02(9)(a).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

15. A non-attorney Wisconsin notary may not:

    1. Administer an oath or affirmation
    2. Charge the statutory fee for an acknowledgment
    3. Claim to be an attorney licensed in Wisconsin
    4. Take an acknowledgment of a deed
    Show the answer

    C. Claim to be an attorney licensed in Wisconsin

    Wis. Stat. § 140.02(1)(i).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

16. A non-attorney notary accepts pay to prepare documents for an immigration proceeding. This is:

    1. Allowed if under $50
    2. Prohibited
    3. Allowed for family
    4. Allowed with a disclaimer
    Show the answer

    B. Prohibited

    Wis. Stat. § 140.02(1)(i).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

17. A notary moves to another U.S. state. Does the office become vacant?

    1. No, a change of residence within the U.S. does not vacate the office
    2. Yes, the office becomes vacant 30 days after the move
    3. Only if the notary moves to a state that does not border Wisconsin
    4. Yes, the office is vacated immediately when the notary moves
    Show the answer

    A. No, a change of residence within the U.S. does not vacate the office

    Wis. Stat. § 140.02(6m).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

18. Within how long must a notary give DFI written notice of an address change?

    1. 60 days
    2. 30 days
    3. 45 days
    4. 10 days
    Show the answer

    D. 10 days

    Wis. Stat. § 140.02(6m).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.02 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

19. What statement must a remote notarial certificate include?

    1. "This notarial act involved the use of communication technology."
    2. No statement is required on a remote certificate
    3. "Remotely notarized by video conference under Wisconsin law."
    4. "Online notary seal applied by an approved provider."
    Show the answer

    A. "This notarial act involved the use of communication technology."

    Wis. Stat. § 140.145(5)(b).

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.145 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)

20. How long must the audio-visual recording of a remote notarial act be kept?

    1. At least 7 years from the recording date
    2. At least 3 years from the recording date
    3. At least 10 years from the recording date
    4. 1 year, then it may be deleted
    Show the answer

    A. At least 7 years from the recording date

    Wis. Stat. § 140.145(6), unless a rule sets a different period.

    Source: Wis. Stat. § 140.145 (docs.legis.wisconsin.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 Wisconsin, and are not legal advice. Rules change, so check the commissioning office's current materials.