PA Notary Exam Prep — 25 Questions

A free, cited sample of Pennsylvania notary exam practice questions. Every answer links back to RULONA or 4 Pa. Code so you can dig deeper. Click a question to reveal the answer.

Version: 2026-04-19 10 easy 10 medium 5 hard

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Try each question without looking. Then expand to see the correct answer, why it\u2019s right, and the exact citation. The real Pearson VUE PA notary exam is scaled: you need a 75 to pass, weighted by question difficulty.

1
easy notarial-acts

Which of the following is NOT one of the notarial acts a Pennsylvania notary public is authorized to perform under RULONA?
- A) Taking an acknowledgment
- B) Administering an oath or affirmation
- C) Solemnizing a civil marriage
- D) Certifying a copy of a record
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 304 and § 302 (definition of 'notarial act'), a PA notary may take acknowledgments, administer oaths/affirmations, take verifications, witness or attest signatures, certify copies, and note protests. Officiating a marriage is explicitly not a notarial power.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302; § 304
2
easy notarial-acts

A signer declares before the notary that she has already signed a document for the purpose stated in it. Which notarial act is appropriate?
- A) Acknowledgment
- B) Verification on oath or affirmation (jurat)
- C) Witnessing or attesting a signature
- D) Copy certification
▸
Correct answer: A

Per 57 Pa.C.S. § 302, an acknowledgment is a declaration by the signer that she has signed the record for the purpose stated. Verifications (jurats) require swearing the statement is true; witnessing requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302; § 305(a)
3
medium notarial-acts

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.63, a verification on oath or affirmation (jurat) must be:
- A) Signed before the notary arrives and acknowledged on appearance
- B) Signed only if the notary personally knows the signer
- C) Signed either before or after the notary administers the oath
- D) Signed in the notary's presence and accompanied by an oath or affirmation
▸
Correct answer: D

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.63, a record containing a statement being verified must be signed in the notary's presence and may not be signed prior to or subsequent to the verification. The notary must also administer the oath or affirmation.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.63; 57 Pa.C.S. § 305(b)
4
hard notarial-acts

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.61, a signer brings a document already signed at home for an acknowledgment. Which condition invalidates the notarial act?
- A) The signer signed the document the day before in blue ink
- B) The document presented to the notary is a photocopy rather than the original
- C) The signer will not recite the document's purpose aloud
- D) The notary's journal entry omits the time of the act
▸
Correct answer: B

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.61(3), if an acknowledgment record was signed prior to appearance, the record presented to the notary may not be a photocopy. Pre-signing is otherwise permitted for acknowledgments (unlike jurats).

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.61(3)
5
medium identity

Which of the following satisfies the 'satisfactory evidence' identity standard under 57 Pa.C.S. § 307(b)?
- A) The signer's expired U.S. passport (expired 30 days ago)
- B) The notary's belief that the signer 'looks honest'
- C) A utility bill showing the signer's name and address
- D) The signer's current, unexpired PA driver's license
▸
Correct answer: D

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 307(b)(1)(i), a current and unexpired passport, driver's license, or government-issued nondriver ID constitutes satisfactory evidence. Expired IDs are not satisfactory; utility bills and subjective impressions never qualify.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 307(b)
6
medium identity

When identifying a signer via a credible witness under § 307(b)(2), the credible witness must:
- A) Be personally known to the signer only
- B) Be personally known to the notary and to the signer, appear in person, and swear to the signer's identity under oath
- C) Present two forms of government ID on the signer's behalf
- D) Be a licensed attorney
▸
Correct answer: B

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 307(b)(2) and 4 Pa. Code § 167.43(b), the credible witness must appear contemporaneously, be personally known to the notary, personally know the signer, have no pecuniary interest, and swear under oath to the signer's identity.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 307(b)(2); 4 Pa. Code § 167.43(b)
7
easy identity

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.43(a)(2), which ID is an acceptable 'other form of government ID' when current and bearing a signature or photograph?
- A) A Pennsylvania state or state-related university ID card
- B) A gym membership card
- C) A signed handwritten affidavit
- D) A credit card with photo
▸
Correct answer: A

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.43(a)(2)(v), a Pennsylvania state or state-related university ID card (e.g., Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln) is acceptable if current and bearing a signature or photograph. Gym cards and credit cards are not government-issued IDs.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.43(a)(2); 57 Pa.C.S. § 307(b)(1)(ii)
8
easy fees

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.3, what is the maximum fee a PA notary may charge for taking an acknowledgment from the first individual named in the certificate?
- A) $2
- B) $25
- C) $10
- D) $5
▸
Correct answer: D

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.3(a), the maximum fee for taking an acknowledgment from the first individual named is $5. Each additional name on the same certificate is capped at $2.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.3(a)
9
medium fees

In addition to base fees under § 167.3(a), what is the maximum extra fee a remote notary may charge per notarial act using communication technology?
- A) $5
- B) $10
- C) $20
- D) $50
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.3(b), electronic and remote notaries may charge an additional fee not to exceed $20 per notarial act performed with respect to electronic records or using communication technology.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.3(b)
10
medium fees

A notary charges $5 for an acknowledgment and also charges a $15 'travel fee' for driving to the signer's home. Which of the following is required?
- A) The travel fee is illegal and cannot be charged
- B) The travel fee must be disclosed to the customer prior to notarization and itemized on the receipt
- C) The travel fee may be added silently to the $5 notarial fee
- D) The travel fee must be approved by the Department of State in advance
▸
Correct answer: B

Travel, copy, and other clerical fees are not regulated but must be 'reasonable and customary,' disclosed to the customer prior to notarization, and itemized separately from notarial fees on the receipt required under 4 Pa. Code § 167.3(c).

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.3(c); 57 Pa.C.S. § 329.1(c)
11
easy stamp-journal

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 317, what are the maximum dimensions of a PA notary's official rubber stamp?
- A) 1 inch high by 3.5 inches wide with a plain border
- B) 2 inches high by 4 inches wide
- C) 0.5 inch high by 2 inches wide
- D) There is no size limit
▸
Correct answer: A

Per 57 Pa.C.S. § 317, the notary seal must have a maximum height of one inch and width of three and one-half inches, with a plain border, and must be capable of photographic reproduction.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 317
12
medium stamp-journal

Under the 2026 final regulations (4 Pa. Code § 167.32), which of the following is PROHIBITED from being recorded in a notary's journal?
- A) The date and time of the notarial act
- B) The last four digits of the signer's driver's license number
- C) Any portion of the signer's Social Security number
- D) The fee charged
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.32(d), the journal may not contain any part of a Social Security number. Date/time and fees are required; the last four digits of a driver's license or passport are expressly permitted as optional terminal-number entries under § 167.32(e).

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.32(d)
13
easy stamp-journal

A PA notary's stamping device is stolen from her car. Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.22(e), she must notify the Department of State within how many days of discovery?
- A) 24 hours
- B) 90 days
- C) 30 days
- D) 15 days
▸
Correct answer: D

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.22(e), notification of loss or theft of the stamping device must be made in writing or by email to the Department within 15 days after the notary discovers the loss or theft.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.22(e); 57 Pa.C.S. § 318(b)
14
easy ethics-upl

A notary who is not an attorney is asked by a Spanish-speaking client to advertise as a 'notario publico.' Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 325(c), the notary:
- A) May do so if the client consents in writing
- B) May not use the term 'notario' or 'notario publico' (only PA-licensed attorneys may)
- C) May do so because it is a direct translation
- D) Must use the term in every language the notary advertises in
▸
Correct answer: B

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 325(c), a notary public may not use the term 'notario' or 'notario publico' except when the notary is also an attorney at law. The prohibition protects non-English-speaking communities from confusion with attorney-level authority abroad.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 325(c); 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(12)
15
medium ethics-upl

Which action by a PA notary is an explicit disciplinary ground under 4 Pa. Code § 167.121?
- A) Notarizing the notary's own signature
- B) Charging the $5 maximum fee for an acknowledgment
- C) Refusing to notarize a document the notary cannot read
- D) Keeping a chronological journal of every notarial act
▸
Correct answer: A

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(1) and § 167.111(b), a notary may not notarize the notary's own signature or statement. It is among the explicit disciplinary grounds and is an absolute bar.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(1); § 167.111(b)
16
easy commission

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e), how long is a PA notary public commission valid?
- A) One year
- B) Two years
- C) Four years
- D) Life of the notary
▸
Correct answer: C

Per 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e), the Department of State issues a commission for a term of four years. Renewal is unlimited, but each term is four years.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e)
17
easy commission

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a), which of the following is a minimum eligibility requirement to be appointed a PA notary public?
- A) At least 21 years of age
- B) Bachelor's degree in law
- C) At least 18 years of age, U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and able to read and write English
- D) Must be a licensed attorney
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a), an applicant must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, a resident of or employed in PA, able to read and write English, not disqualified under § 323, and have passed the § 322 exam.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)
18
medium commission

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.18 and 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(f), what happens if an appointee fails to record the bond, oath, and commission within 45 days of appointment?
- A) The commission is extended 30 days automatically
- B) The Department files the documents on the appointee's behalf
- C) The notary is fined $100 but keeps the commission
- D) The commission becomes null and void; the appointee must reapply as a new applicant
▸
Correct answer: D

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(f) and 4 Pa. Code § 167.18, failure to record within 45 days makes the commission null and void. The appointee must reapply per § 167.13 as if a new (lapsed) applicant — including the basic education course and exam.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(f); 4 Pa. Code § 167.18
19
medium ron

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(b), to identify a remotely located individual without personal knowledge or a credible witness, a PA remote notary must use:
- A) A single government-issued photo ID shown on camera
- B) At least two different types of identity-proofing processes or services
- C) A notarized affidavit of identity mailed in advance
- D) The signer's Social Security number
▸
Correct answer: B

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(b)(1)(iii), a PA remote notary may reasonably identify a remotely located individual using at least two different types of identity-proofing processes or services (typically credential analysis plus dynamic knowledge-based authentication).

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(b)(1); 4 Pa. Code § 167.86(4)
20
medium ron

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(e), how long must a PA remote notary (or her designee) retain the audio-visual recording of a remote notarial act?
- A) 1 year
- B) 5 years
- C) 10 years
- D) 30 years
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(e) and 4 Pa. Code § 167.86(6), the AV recording of the entire remote notarial act must be retained for at least 10 years after creation, or as otherwise required by regulation.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(e); 4 Pa. Code § 167.86(6)
21
easy 2026-changes

Under the 2026 final RULONA regulations (4 Pa. Code § 167.16(b)), what is the required surety bond amount for a notary newly appointed or reappointed after March 28, 2026?
- A) $5,000
- B) $10,000
- C) $25,000
- D) $100,000
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(b), an applicant shall obtain a surety bond in the amount of $25,000, increased from the prior $10,000 statutory floor. Notaries holding a commission on the effective date may retain the existing bond until expiration.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(b); 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)
22
hard 2026-changes

Maria holds a 2025 commission with a $10,000 bond expiring in 2029. Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(c), must she replace it with a $25,000 bond in 2026?
- A) Yes — she must obtain the $25,000 bond within 30 days of March 28, 2026
- B) No — she may retain her existing $10,000 bond until the end of her current commission
- C) Yes — all PA notaries must carry a $25,000 bond at all times after March 28, 2026
- D) No — Maria is permanently exempt from the increase
▸
Correct answer: B

Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(c), notaries holding a commission on the final-form effective date may continue to use the existing bond until the expiration of that commission. Maria must obtain the $25,000 bond only when she is reappointed for her next term.

Cite: 4 Pa. Code § 167.16(c)
23
hard scenario

A notary's husband is buying a rental property in which she has no ownership. May she notarize his signature on the deed under 4 Pa. Code § 167.111(c)?
- A) Yes — spouses may always notarize for each other
- B) No — she may not notarize for her spouse because he has a direct pecuniary interest in the transaction
- C) Yes — provided she waives the $5 fee
- D) Yes — as long as she records it in a separate journal
▸
Correct answer: B

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 304(b) and 4 Pa. Code § 167.111(c), a notary may notarize for a spouse ONLY if neither spouse has a direct or pecuniary interest. Because the husband is the buyer and has a clear pecuniary interest, the act is prohibited and would be voidable.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 304(b); 4 Pa. Code § 167.111(c); § 167.121(2)
24
hard scenario

A notary is asked to complete Section 2 of a federal I-9 form for a new hire as an authorized representative of the employer. Per PA DOS guidance, she should:
- A) Complete Section 2 as an authorized representative only, without using her notary title, seal, or any notarial certificate
- B) Use her notary stamp and sign the I-9 as a notary public
- C) Attach a separate notarial acknowledgment certificate referencing the I-9
- D) Decline — PA notaries are prohibited from completing I-9 forms
▸
Correct answer: A

Per PA DOS guidance on I-9 forms, completing Section 2 is NOT a notarial act. The notary acts as an authorized representative of the employer and must not use her notary title, seal, or any notarial certificate. Using the seal on a non-notarial act is prohibited under 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(14).

Cite: PA DOS 'PA Notaries and Completion of I-9 Forms'; 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(14); 57 Pa.C.S. § 304
25
hard scenario

A non-attorney notary advertises online as a 'notary public' and tells a client, 'I can help you draft the power of attorney you need.' Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 325, this is:
- A) Permissible if the notary does not charge for the drafting
- B) Permissible if the client signs a waiver
- C) The unauthorized practice of law — a notary may not draft legal records or give legal advice
- D) Permissible only for powers of attorney
▸
Correct answer: C

Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 325(a)(1) and 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(13) & § 167.124, a notary public who is not an attorney may not assist in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law. This is the unauthorized practice of law and a disciplinary violation.

Cite: 57 Pa.C.S. § 325(a); 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(13); § 167.124

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This page is educational information, not legal advice. Pennsylvania notary law changes; always verify against the current version of RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. §§ 301–331) and 4 Pa. Code at pa.gov. Consult a PA-licensed attorney for specific situations.