15 free questions on Pennsylvania notary law, updated for the regulations that took effect March 28, 2026, with the law behind every answer.
Approved education + state exam required
New regulations effective March 28, 2026
Based on RULONA, 57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3
Score: 0 / 0
1.What is the minimum age to be appointed a Pennsylvania notary public?
Answer: A. An applicant must "Be at least 18 years of age."Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(1)
2.Which of the following is NOT listed in the statute as a notarial act?
Answer: A. The listed notarial acts include "taking an acknowledgment", "certifying or attesting a copy or deposition" and "noting a protest of a negotiable instrument". Drafting documents is not a notarial act.Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302
3.A notary moves to a new home address. Within how many days must she notify the Department?
Answer: A. "A notary public shall notify the department within 30 days of a change in the information on file with the department", including home address.Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.45(a)
4.Dana lives in Delaware but works full time at a law office in Philadelphia. Can she apply for a Pennsylvania notary commission?
Answer: B. An applicant must "Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in this Commonwealth."Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(3)
5.Under RULONA, an "acknowledgment" is a declaration by an individual that:
Answer: B. An acknowledgment is a declaration that "the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record" (and, if signed in a representative capacity, signed with proper authority).Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302
6.A notary marries and changes her last name mid-commission. Which statement is correct?
Answer: B. The notary "may continue to perform notarial acts in the name in which the notary public was commissioned until the expiration of the notary public's term." Renewal "shall be made in the new name."Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.45(c)(2)-(3)
7.The nonrefundable application fee the statute sets for a notary public commission is:
Answer: C. The application must "Be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $42, payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(b)(2)
8.Which notarial act is a declaration, made on oath or affirmation, that a statement in a record is true?
Answer: C. A verification on oath or affirmation is a declaration "by an individual on oath or affirmation before a notarial officer, that a statement in a record is true." The term includes an affidavit.Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302
Full Pennsylvania Notary Study Guide: 100 practice questions
Every answer quotes the Maryland law it comes from, so you can find it fast. Instant PDF, $19.
9.A notary who lived in Pennsylvania moves to Maryland and quits his Pennsylvania job. What is his notary status?
Answer: C. A notary with neither a home nor office address in Pennsylvania "will be deemed to have resigned from the office of notary public as of the date the residency ceases or employment or practice within this Commonwealth terminates."Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.45(d)
10.A first-time applicant must complete an approved basic education course of at least how many hours?
Answer: D. The applicant must "complete a course of at least three hours of notary public basic education approved by the department."Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 322(b)
11.Which person is signing "in a representative capacity"?
Answer: D. Representative capacity includes acting as "an agent or attorney-in-fact for a principal".Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 302
12.A notary's coworker asks to borrow her stamp while she is on vacation. The notary:
Answer: D. "A notary public may not allow another individual to use the device to perform a notarial act."Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 318(a)(1)
13.Lena's Pennsylvania notary commission expired last week and she just mailed her renewal application. Does she have to take the notary examination?
Answer: A. An applicant who does not hold a commission includes one "who previously held a commission as a notary public but whose commission has since expired."Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.15(a)(2)
14.A deed is acknowledged before a New Jersey notary public and then recorded in Pennsylvania. Under RULONA, the New Jersey notarial act:
Answer: A. A notarial act performed in another state "has the same effect under the law of this Commonwealth as if performed by a notarial officer of this Commonwealth" when done by a notary public of that state.Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 311(a)
15.A notary discovers her stamp was stolen from her car. Within how many days must she notify the Department in writing or by email?
Answer: A. Notice of loss or theft of a stamping device "shall be made in writing or by email to the department within 15 days after the date" the loss or theft is discovered.Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.22(e)
Full Pennsylvania Notary Study Guide: 100 practice questions
Every answer quotes the Maryland law it comes from, so you can find it fast. Instant PDF, $19.
StateExamPrepCo makes independent study aids. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any state, licensing board, commission, or exam vendor, and not legal advice. Laws change; check official sources. Made with AI assistance and checked question by question against the cited law.