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Notary Exam Resources

Free guides, exam tips, and everything you need to know about becoming a notary public in California and Texas.

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California

California Notary Thumbprint Requirements: When a Journal Thumbprint Is Required

Learn which documents require a thumbprint in the California notary journal, what to do when a signer cannot provide one, and the three exceptions every notary must know under Gov. Code Section 8206.

7 min read·Jul 8, 2026
California

California Notary Discipline: 13 Grounds for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation

Learn the 13 statutory grounds that can get a California notary commission denied, suspended, or revoked under Gov. Code Section 8214.1. Includes criminal penalties, exam tips, and real statute references.

7 min read·Jul 6, 2026
California

Signature by Mark in California: Notary Rules When a Signer Cannot Write

Learn the California rules for notarizing a signature by mark. Covers the step-by-step process, witness requirements, journal entries, and common exam questions under Civil Code Section 14.

6 min read·Jun 26, 2026
California

Notarizing Power of Attorney Documents in California: Rules Every Notary Must Know

Learn the California rules for notarizing power of attorney documents. Covers thumbprint requirements, certifying copies under Probate Code 4307, subscribing witness restrictions, conflict of interest rules, and common exam questions.

7 min read·Jun 22, 2026
California

California Notary Advertising Rules: The Notario Publico Prohibition Explained

California notary advertising rules explained. Learn about the notario publico prohibition, foreign language notice requirements, immigration form limits, and penalties for violations under Gov. Code Section 8219.5.

6 min read·Jun 5, 2026
California

Proof of Execution by Subscribing Witness: California Notary Rules Explained

Learn how proof of execution by subscribing witness works in California. Covers the three-person process, document restrictions, credible witness requirements, and exam tips with statute references.

7 min read·Jun 3, 2026
California

When Must a California Notary Refuse to Notarize? (2026 Exam Guide)

Learn when California notaries are legally required to refuse a notarization. Covers incomplete documents, missing signers, identification failures, conflict of interest, and unauthorized practice of law.

7 min read·May 29, 2026
California

California Notary Practice Test: Free Resources and Study Tips

Prepare for the California notary exam with targeted study tips, key topics to focus on, and practice test strategies. Covers the exact format, high-weight subjects, and must-know facts.

7 min read·May 20, 2026
General

Notary Signing Agent vs Notary Public: What's the Difference?

Learn the key differences between a notary signing agent and a notary public. Covers duties, training, income, legal limitations, and how to decide which path fits your goals.

7 min read·May 8, 2026
California

What Happens If You Fail the California Notary Exam?

Failed the California notary exam or worried you might? Learn what happens next, how to retake it, whether your education course is still valid, and how to change your study strategy to pass on the next attempt.

6 min read·May 6, 2026
California

Top 10 Mistakes That Fail You on the California Notary Exam

Avoid the most common errors that cause people to fail the California notary exam. Learn the tricky rules about jurats vs acknowledgments, ID requirements, fees, and journal entries that trip up test-takers.

7 min read·May 4, 2026
Exam Topics

Texas vs California Notary Requirements: Key Differences

Side-by-side comparison of Texas and California notary requirements for 2026. Education, exam format, fees, bonds, seal rules, journal and record keeping, and identification differences explained.

7 min read·May 1, 2026
California

Remote Online Notarization in California: When Is It Coming?

California signed the Online Notarization Act (SB 696) in 2023, but remote online notarization is still not available. Learn what the law says, when RON takes effect, and what it means for California notaries.

7 min read·Apr 27, 2026
California

California Notary Exam Pass Rate: What to Expect in 2026

What is the California notary exam pass rate? Learn about the exam format, scoring, the topics that cause the most failures, and how to make sure you pass on your first attempt.

6 min read·Apr 24, 2026
California

What Is a Credible Witness? California Notary ID Verification Rules

Learn how the credible witness process works for California notaries. Single vs. two credible witnesses, the five oath requirements, journal rules, and common exam questions explained.

7 min read·Apr 24, 2026
California

How Many Questions Are on the California Notary Exam? (2026 Guide)

Learn exactly how many questions are on the California notary exam, how the scoring works, the passing score, time limit, and what topics are covered. Updated for 2026.

6 min read·Apr 20, 2026
California

How to Become a Notary Public in California (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Complete guide to becoming a California notary public in 2026. Learn the requirements, costs, application steps, and how to pass the notary exam on your first try.

8 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Texas

How to Become a Notary Public in Texas (2026 Guide with New SB693 Requirements)

Complete guide to becoming a Texas notary public in 2026. Covers the new SB693 education and exam requirements, application steps, costs, and tips to pass the assessment.

7 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Acknowledgment vs Jurat: What's the Difference? (Notary Exam Guide)

The difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat is one of the most tested topics on the notary exam. Learn when to use each, the required steps, and common exam traps.

6 min read·Apr 13, 2026
California

California Notary Fees 2026: Complete Fee Schedule and Maximum Charges

Complete California notary fee schedule for 2026. Maximum fees for acknowledgments, jurats, depositions, powers of attorney, immigration forms, and more. What you can and cannot charge.

5 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Texas

Texas SB693 Explained: The New Notary Education and Exam Requirements for 2026

Everything you need to know about Texas Senate Bill 693 and the new mandatory notary education and exam. Who it affects, what's required, exam format, costs, and how to prepare.

6 min read·Apr 13, 2026
California

California Notary Journal Requirements: What to Record and How to Keep It

Everything California notaries need to know about journal requirements. What to record for each notarial act, thumbprint rules, lost journal procedures, and common exam questions.

6 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Notary Seal Requirements: California vs Texas (Size, Format, and Rules)

Complete guide to notary seal requirements for California and Texas. Seal size limits, required elements, proper use, security rules, and what happens when your commission ends.

5 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Texas

Texas Notary Fees 2026: Complete Fee Schedule and Maximum Charges

Complete Texas notary fee schedule for 2026. Maximum fees for acknowledgments, oaths, depositions, protests, and more. Includes fee posting requirements and fee book rules.

5 min read·Apr 13, 2026
California

How to Pass the California Notary Exam on Your First Try (2026 Tips)

Proven strategies to pass the California notary exam on your first attempt. Study plan, high-weight topics, must-memorize numbers, practice exam tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

7 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Notary Identification Requirements: What ID Is Acceptable? (California and Texas)

What identification documents can a notary accept? Complete guide to acceptable IDs, credible witnesses, expired IDs, and identification rules for California and Texas notaries.

6 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Notary Bond Requirements: California ($15,000) vs Texas ($10,000) Explained

Everything you need to know about notary surety bonds. Bond amounts, how to get one, what it protects, filing deadlines, and what happens if someone makes a claim against your bond.

5 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Can a Notary Notarize for Family Members? (California and Texas Rules)

Can you notarize documents for your spouse, parents, children, or other relatives? Learn the conflict of interest rules for California and Texas notaries and what the exam tests.

5 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Career

How Much Do Notaries Make? (2026 Income Guide for California and Texas)

How much money can you make as a notary public? Realistic income expectations for California and Texas notaries, including mobile notary and loan signing agent earnings.

6 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Career

What Does a Notary Public Do? (Duties, Powers, and Limitations Explained)

What exactly does a notary public do? A clear explanation of notary duties, authorized acts, common misconceptions, and what notaries are NOT allowed to do.

5 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Free Notary Exam Practice Questions (California and Texas Sample Quiz)

Test your knowledge with free notary exam practice questions for California and Texas. Sample questions covering fees, identification, acknowledgments, jurats, and more.

7 min read·Apr 13, 2026
Exam Topics

Best Notary Exam Study Resources in 2026 (California and Texas)

The best resources for studying for the notary exam in 2026. Free and paid options for California and Texas, including official handbooks, practice tests, study guides, and AI-powered prep tools.

7 min read·Apr 13, 2026

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