Florida Notary Public Education Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What makes an identification document 'currently valid' for Florida notarization purposes?

It has not passed its expiration date (Correct answer)
It includes the issuing agency's current address
It was issued within the last 10 years
It was issued in the United States

Correct answer: It has not passed its expiration date

A document is currently valid for Florida notarization purposes if it has not yet reached its expiration date at the time of the notarial act.

Question 2: Which of the following documents would MOST LIKELY require a jurat rather than an acknowledgment?

A real estate deed
A power of attorney
A vehicle title transfer
A financial affidavit in a divorce proceeding (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A financial affidavit in a divorce proceeding

A financial affidavit requires the signer to swear under oath that the financial information is true, making a jurat the appropriate notarial act.

Question 3: What language is typically included in a jurat certificate to indicate an oath was administered?

"Sworn to and subscribed before me" (Correct answer)
"Certified to be a true copy"
"This instrument was acknowledged before me"
"Witnessed and approved by"

Correct answer: "Sworn to and subscribed before me"

The phrase 'Sworn to and subscribed before me' is the standard jurat certificate language in Florida, confirming both the oath and the in-presence signing.

Question 4: Is a Florida notary required by law to keep a notarial journal?

Only notaries who perform RON are required to keep a journal
No, a journal is optional but recommended (Correct answer)
Yes, but only for real estate transactions
Yes, all notarial acts must be recorded in a journal

Correct answer: No, a journal is optional but recommended

Florida law does not require traditional notaries to keep a journal, though it is highly recommended as a best practice and is required for Remote Online Notarization (RON).

Question 5: Which action could result in a Florida notary's commission being permanently revoked (rather than suspended)?

Forgetting to update their address with the state
Performing a notarization for a family member
Criminal conviction for fraud or moral turpitude (Correct answer)
Overcharging by $5 on two separate occasions

Correct answer: Criminal conviction for fraud or moral turpitude

A criminal conviction for fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude can result in permanent revocation of a Florida notary's commission by the Governor.

Question 6: A Florida notary who advertises notary services in a language other than English must include which disclaimer?

A statement that they are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice (Correct answer)
A translation of the state seal into the advertised language
A statement that services are available to all persons regardless of nationality
A statement that fees are charged per act

Correct answer: A statement that they are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice

Florida law requires notaries who advertise in languages other than English to prominently state that they are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, to prevent the 'notario publico' misconception.

Question 7: A signer presents a U.S. permanent resident card (green card) for a Florida notarization. Is this acceptable?

Yes, it is a government-issued photo ID with a signature and identifying number (Correct answer)
Only for documents related to immigration matters
No, only U.S. citizens may use government ID for notarizations
Only if the signer also presents their passport

Correct answer: Yes, it is a government-issued photo ID with a signature and identifying number

A U.S. permanent resident card is issued by the federal government and contains a photo, signature, and identifying number, making it acceptable identification.

Question 8: What must a Florida notary do if their official seal is lost or stolen?

Contact local law enforcement and the Governor's office
Order a replacement seal immediately without reporting
Notify the Department of State in writing and disable the lost seal (Correct answer)
Continue using a backup seal while waiting for a replacement

Correct answer: Notify the Department of State in writing and disable the lost seal

If a notary's seal is lost or stolen, they must notify the Department of State and should take steps to prevent unauthorized use of the lost seal.

Question 9: If a Florida notary makes an error in their paper journal, what is the correct way to correct it?

Use correction fluid to cover the mistake
Leave the error and add a note at the end of the journal
Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and write the correction (Correct answer)
Tear out the page and rewrite the entry

Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and write the correction

The proper correction method is to draw a single line through the error, initial the correction, and write the correct information so the original entry remains readable.

Question 10: 4 things on the notary seal stamp

the words "notary public-state of Florida"; notary's exact commissioned name; the notary's commission number; the notary's commission expiration date. (Correct answer)
no. there either needs to be something on the doc that tells you which one, or the signer needs to know.
the governor
FL DL - FL vehicle title - SS card - diploma - medical record - us passport - bill of sale - contract - lease - resident alien card - personal letter

Correct answer: the words "notary public-state of Florida"; notary's exact commissioned name; the notary's commission number; the notary's commission expiration date.

Florida Statute 117.05(3)(a) explicitly outlines the four required elements for a Florida notary seal stamp. These include the words 'notary public-state of Florida,' the notary's exact commissioned name, their commission number, and the commission expiration date. These details are crucial for verifying the notary's authority and the validity of the notarial act.

Question 11: Under Florida law, 'satisfactory evidence of identity' can be established by which alternative when no ID is available?

The signer's verbal assurance of their identity
A notarized letter from the signer's employer
The signer's attorney present at the notarization
A credible witness personally known to the notary who vouches for the signer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A credible witness personally known to the notary who vouches for the signer

Florida allows a credible witness who is personally known to the notary (and swears under oath to the signer's identity) to serve as satisfactory evidence of identity.

Question 12: Which of the following is NOT sufficient by itself as identification for a Florida notarization?

A voter registration card without a photo (Correct answer)
A valid U.S. passport
A valid Florida driver's license
A valid U.S. military ID card

Correct answer: A voter registration card without a photo

A voter registration card without a photo does not meet Florida's requirement that acceptable ID include a photograph of the signer.

Question 13: A Florida notary is asked to perform an acknowledgment. What must the signer do at minimum?

Sign the document in the notary's presence and swear an oath
Acknowledge to the notary that the signature on the document is their own (Correct answer)
Present two forms of government-issued ID
Read the entire document aloud to the notary

Correct answer: Acknowledge to the notary that the signature on the document is their own

For an acknowledgment, the signer must appear before the notary and acknowledge that the signature on the document is their own; they do not need to sign in the notary's presence.

Question 14: Which of the following notarial acts is unique to Florida among many U.S. states and is specifically authorized under Florida Statute 117.045?

Witnessing the signing of a will
Administering oaths to elected officials
Certifying digital documents
Solemnizing marriages (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Solemnizing marriages

Florida Statute 117.045 specifically authorizes Florida notaries to solemnize marriages, a power not granted to notaries in all U.S. states.

Question 15: A Notary Public may notarize the signature of their spouse?

True
False (Correct answer)

Correct answer: False

Florida law prohibits a Notary Public from notarizing the signature of their spouse, or any person for whom they are a party to the instrument or have a financial interest in the transaction. This restriction is in place to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the notary's impartiality, which is fundamental to the integrity of the notarial act.

Question 16: A U.S. passport presented for a Florida notarization that expired 6 months ago — is it acceptable?

No, the ID must be currently valid and not expired (Correct answer)
Only if accompanied by a second form of expired ID
Yes, passports are always acceptable regardless of expiration
Yes, if the photo still resembles the signer

Correct answer: No, the ID must be currently valid and not expired

Florida requires identification to be currently valid; an expired document does not constitute satisfactory evidence of identity.

Question 17: Is the notary responsible for securing the notary seal against misuse?

No
Yes (Correct answer)
Yes. Any unauthorized use of a notary seal by a person who is not the lawfully commissioned notary public is a criminal offense. It is also unlawful for a person to possess a notary seal or commission certificate when that person is not the lawfully commissioned notary public. See sections 117.05(7) and (8).
Still no.

Correct answer: Yes

A Florida Notary Public is legally responsible for securing their notary seal against misuse. Unauthorized possession or use of a notary seal by someone other than the commissioned notary is a criminal offense, as outlined in Florida Statute 117.05(7) and (8). This responsibility ensures the integrity and security of notarial acts and prevents fraudulent activities.

Question 18: What should a Florida notary do if they suspect a signer's ID is fraudulent?

Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
Confiscate the ID and contact police
Request additional identification and proceed if one is valid
Proceed with the notarization and note the suspicion in the journal

Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization

If a notary suspects the presented identification is fraudulent, they must refuse to perform the notarial act to avoid facilitating fraud.

Question 19: How long is the term of office for a notary public in Florida?

Lifetime appointment
2 years
4 years (Correct answer)
6 years

Correct answer: 4 years

The term of office for a Notary Public in Florida is four years. This fixed period, as stipulated in Florida Statute 117.01(1)(b), requires notaries to periodically renew their commission to continue performing notarial acts, ensuring they remain current with laws and requirements.

Question 20: What is a Florida notary's obligation when a signer cannot physically sign their name?

Refuse the notarization entirely
Accept a verbal oath only
Have the signer's attorney sign on their behalf
Allow a mark or signature by another person at the signer's direction in the presence of two witnesses (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Allow a mark or signature by another person at the signer's direction in the presence of two witnesses

Florida law allows a notary to notarize a document signed with a mark, or signed by another at the physically-impaired signer's direction, in the presence of two witnesses.

Question 21: Which notarial act in Florida is used to certify that a copy of an original document is a true and accurate reproduction?

Attested copy certification (Correct answer)
Jurat
Acknowledgment
Solemnization

Correct answer: Attested copy certification

An attested copy certification allows the notary to certify that a copy they have made or compared to the original is a true reproduction.

Question 22: Which of the following is a requirement for renewing a notary commission in Florida?

Submitting a renewal application before the current commission expires (Correct answer)
Residing in Florida for at least 10 years
Retaking the notary education course
Passing a written examination

Correct answer: Submitting a renewal application before the current commission expires

To renew a notary commission in Florida, the primary requirement is to submit a renewal application before the current commission expires. This process ensures continuity of service and allows the Department of State to verify ongoing eligibility. While education is required for initial commissioning, a specific re-education course is not typically mandated for renewal unless laws change significantly.

Question 23: What is 'credential analysis' in the context of Florida's RON identity verification?

Technology that analyzes the physical and digital features of an ID document to confirm its authenticity (Correct answer)
A background check performed by law enforcement
The notary manually inspecting a scanned copy of the ID
Reviewing the signer's professional credentials and licenses

Correct answer: Technology that analyzes the physical and digital features of an ID document to confirm its authenticity

Credential analysis uses automated technology to examine security features of an ID document presented via camera to confirm it is genuine and matches the signer.

Question 24: An electronic document notarized via Florida RON is signed using what?

An electronic signature applied during the RON session (Correct answer)
The notary's signature applied on behalf of the signer
A typed name in a specific font designated by the state
A wet ink signature scanned and uploaded

Correct answer: An electronic signature applied during the RON session

During a Florida RON session, the signer applies an electronic signature to the document digitally within the approved RON platform.

Question 25: How many witnesses other than the notary are recommended to sign the marriage certificate?

Witness signatures are not necessary on a marriage certificate.
Two witnesses are recommended in case proof of the marriage ceremony is ever needed. (Correct answer)
At least five witnesses should sign the marriage certificate.
Only the notary is required to sign the marriage certificate.

Correct answer: Two witnesses are recommended in case proof of the marriage ceremony is ever needed.

While Florida law allows a Notary Public to solemnize marriages, it is strongly recommended that two witnesses, in addition to the notary, sign the marriage certificate. Although not always strictly mandated for the notary's part, having witnesses provides crucial corroborating evidence of the marriage ceremony. This practice helps ensure the legal validity and provides proof of the marriage should it ever be challenged or questioned.

Question 26: What is the correct term for a notary's act of confirming that a signer personally appeared and swore an oath?

Jurat (Correct answer)
Attestation
Apostille
Acknowledgment

Correct answer: Jurat

A jurat is the notarial act in which the notary certifies that the signer appeared, was administered an oath or affirmation, and signed the document in the notary's presence.

Question 27: What should a Florida notary do with their seal when their commission expires or is revoked?

Return it to the Department of State
Transfer it to the next notary in their office
Store it indefinitely as a historical record
Destroy the seal to prevent unauthorized use (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Destroy the seal to prevent unauthorized use

Upon expiration or revocation of a commission, a notary should destroy their official seal to prevent its unauthorized use after their authority has ended.

Question 28: Which document is considered acceptable identification for a Florida notarization?

A library card with a photo
A student ID from a private school
A Medicare card
A Florida driver's license (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A Florida driver's license

A Florida driver's license is a government-issued photo ID and is explicitly listed as acceptable identification under Florida notary law.

Question 29: Florida notaries are authorized to certify copies of which type of document?

Non-recordable documents such as private contracts (Correct answer)
Vital records kept by the county clerk
Birth certificates issued by the state
Passports

Correct answer: Non-recordable documents such as private contracts

Florida notaries may certify copies only of non-recordable documents; certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage) must be obtained from the issuing government agency.

Question 30: What is the required bond amount that a Florida notary public must obtain before receiving their commission?

$7,500 (Correct answer)
$5,000
$10,000
$1,000

Correct answer: $7,500

Before receiving their commission, a Florida Notary Public must obtain a $7,500 surety bond. This bond, required by Florida Statute 117.01(1)(c), serves as financial protection for the public against any damages caused by the notary's misconduct or negligence during their official duties.

Question 31: Can a Florida RON notary perform a RON for a signer physically located in another U.S. state?

No, both parties must be in Florida
Yes, as long as all Florida RON requirements are met (Correct answer)
Only if the document is governed by Florida law
Only if the other state has a reciprocity agreement with Florida

Correct answer: Yes, as long as all Florida RON requirements are met

The Florida RON statute allows the signer to be located anywhere, including other U.S. states, as long as the notary complies with all Florida RON requirements.

Question 32: What is a Florida notary's primary duty when performing a notarial act?

To certify the signer's identity and willingness (Correct answer)
To witness the document being drafted
To provide legal advice to the signer
To guarantee the accuracy of the document's content

Correct answer: To certify the signer's identity and willingness

A Florida notary's primary duty is to verify the signer's identity and confirm they are signing willingly and without duress.

Question 33: When do fees belong to an employee-notary?

Notaries can keep all fees regardless of the circumstances.
For any notarial act outside of regular working hours and capacity of their employment. See sections 117.05(2), 117.045, and 28.24(29). (Correct answer)
Fees belong to the employer-notary for all acts.
Employees must return all fees to the client.

Correct answer: For any notarial act outside of regular working hours and capacity of their employment. See sections 117.05(2), 117.045, and 28.24(29).

According to Florida Statute 117.05(2), fees for notarial acts performed by an employee-notary belong to them only when the acts are conducted outside of their regular working hours and capacity of employment. If the notarial act is performed during work hours as part of their job, the fees typically belong to the employer. This distinction clarifies ownership of notarial fees based on the context of the service.

Question 34: Which notarial act requires the signer to be physically present before the notary but does NOT require the signer to swear to the truth of the document's contents?

Acknowledgment (Correct answer)
Oath of affirmation
Attested copy
Jurat

Correct answer: Acknowledgment

In an acknowledgment, the signer only acknowledges that the signature is theirs and made of their own free will — no oath about the document's contents is required.

Question 35: If a notary certifies a copy of a document, the notary is certifying that:

The copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original (Correct answer)
The document's contents are true and accurate
The signer of the original document is who they claim to be
The document was created by a licensed attorney

Correct answer: The copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original

When certifying a copy, the notary is only attesting that the copy is an accurate reproduction of the original, not verifying the truth of the document's contents.

Question 36: What does it mean when a Florida notary performs an 'affirmation' instead of an 'oath'?

The document is notarized without a signature
The signer swears on a religious text
The notary verifies the document with a witness present
The signer solemnly promises truthfulness without invoking a deity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The signer solemnly promises truthfulness without invoking a deity

An affirmation is a legally equivalent alternative to an oath that does not reference a higher power, used when the signer objects to swearing for religious or personal reasons.

Question 37: Which element of a government-issued ID is most important in allowing a notary to verify the signer's identity visually?

The signer's address
The ID's serial number
The photograph of the signer (Correct answer)
The issuing agency's name

Correct answer: The photograph of the signer

The photograph allows the notary to compare the person before them with the ID holder, making it the most critical element for visual identity verification.

Question 38: A Florida notary's commission is tied to which government office?

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Governor of Florida and the Department of State (Correct answer)
The county clerk's office where the notary resides
The Florida Supreme Court

Correct answer: The Governor of Florida and the Department of State

Florida notaries are commissioned by the Governor of Florida and their records are maintained by the Florida Department of State.

Question 39: When notarizing for a person who is signing a document written in a foreign language not understood by the notary, the notarial certificate must be completed in English

False
True (Correct answer)

Correct answer: True

Regardless of the language of the document being notarized, the notarial certificate itself must always be completed in English. This ensures that the official record of the notarial act is clear, understandable, and legally valid within the United States legal system. The notary's duty is to verify the identity of the signer and witness the signature, not to interpret or translate the document's content.

Question 40: Under Florida's RON law, who is responsible for ensuring the RON technology platform is approved?

The notary who uses the platform (Correct answer)
The document's recipient or lender
The Florida Bar Association
The signer who initiates the session

Correct answer: The notary who uses the platform

The notary is responsible for ensuring they use a technology platform that meets the Florida Department of State's RON requirements.

Florida Notary Public Education Exam

The Florida Notary Public Education Course is required for all first-time notary applicants in Florida, covering state notary laws, duties, acceptable identification, notarial acts, seal and journal requirements, and Remote Online Notarization (RON).

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60 min

Time Limit

70%

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