Oregon Notary Public Exam Overview
The Oregon Notary Public Exam is administered on behalf of the Oregon Secretary of State. Oregon requires both education and examination for notary commission, with notary laws contained in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 194.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become an Oregon Notary Public—serving over 4.2 million residents in a state known for its strong real estate market and progressive business environment.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 40 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Passing Score | 80% (32 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | Included in course |
| Education Required | 3-hour approved course |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 required |
Why Become an Oregon Notary?
- Strong real estate market — Portland metro and beyond
- Business-friendly — Corporate headquarters and startups
- RON authorized — Remote Online Notarization available
- Reasonable requirements — Only 3-hour course needed
- Growing population — Continued demand for services
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Oregon resident or regularly work in Oregon
- Complete 3-hour approved education course
- Pass the state examination
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond
- No disqualifying criminal history
Appointment Process:
- Complete approved training course
- Pass examination
- Submit application to Secretary of State
- Pay application fee ($40)
- Obtain surety bond
- Take oath of office
Oath of Office:
- Must take oath before county clerk
- Filed in county of residence
- Swear to faithfully perform duties
- Commission begins upon filing
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
- Does not require oath
Verifications on Oath (Jurats):
- Signer swears content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
- Common for affidavits
Signature Witnessing:
- Witness signature without oath
- Signer signs in notary's presence
- Different from acknowledgment
- Specific certificate wording
Certified Copies:
- Can certify copies of certain documents
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot certify public records
- Limited scope under Oregon law
3. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 194 (25%)
Key Legal Provisions:
- ORS 194.005 — Definitions
- ORS 194.152 — Notary commission
- ORS 194.235 — Notarial acts
- ORS 194.300 — Prohibited acts
- ORS 194.375 — Fees
Oregon Administrative Rules:
- OAR Chapter 160
- Division 100 — Notary Public
- Procedural requirements
- Examination standards
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot act with financial interest
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot provide legal advice
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
4. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Satisfactory Evidence:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid and not expired
- Oregon driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- Military ID
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows signer
- Based on familiarity over time
- Document basis in journal
- Most reliable identification
Credible Witness:
- One credible witness allowed
- Witness must personally know signer
- Witness presents acceptable ID
- Swears to signer's identity under oath
5. Journal, Seal, and Fees (5%)
Journal Requirements: Oregon requires a sequential journal containing:
- Date and time of notarial act
- Type of act performed
- Document type notarized
- Signer's name and signature
- Type of identification presented
- Fees charged
Seal Requirements:
- Must include notary's name
- Words "State of Oregon"
- Words "Notary Public"
- Commission expiration date
- Can be ink stamp or embosser
Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarial act | $10 |
| Certificate | $10 |
| Travel | Reasonable actual cost |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Complete 3-hour education course | 3 |
| Week 1-2 | Notary fundamentals | 3-4 |
| Week 2 | Types of notarial acts | 3-4 |
| Week 2-3 | ORS Chapter 194 provisions | 4-5 |
| Week 3 | Identification and procedures | 2-3 |
| Week 3-4 | Journal, seal, and fees | 2-3 |
| Week 4 | Practice exams and review | 3-4 |
Total recommended study time: 20-26 hours (including required course)
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
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Oregon-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master ORS Chapter 194
Oregon's notary laws are in Chapter 194:
- Know key section numbers
- Understand ORS provisions
- Know OAR Chapter 160 rules
- Memorize prohibited acts
2. Understand Remote Online Notarization
Oregon authorizes RON:
- Registered technology providers required
- Audio-visual technology standards
- Identity verification methods
- Electronic journal requirements
3. Know the Journal Requirements
Oregon requires a notary journal:
- Sequential entries mandatory
- Cannot skip entries
- Must be maintained securely
- Surrender upon commission end
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Oregon Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 80% (32/40) |
| Education | 3 hours |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $10,000 |
| Max fee per act | $10 |
| Application fee | $40 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping required course — 3-hour course is mandatory
- Ignoring ORS Chapter 194 — Core of exam content
- Forgetting OAR rules — Administrative rules tested
- Missing 80% threshold — Higher than average
- Not keeping journal — Required in Oregon
- Underestimating preparation — Study beyond the course
After Passing Your Exam
- Submit application to Secretary of State
- Pay $40 application fee to state
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond from approved provider
- Take oath of office before county clerk
- File oath and bond in county of residence
- Purchase notary seal meeting state specifications
- Purchase journal and begin your practice
2026 Oregon Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Remote Online Notarization updates
- Electronic journal requirements
- ORS Chapter 194 amendments
- Fee schedule reviews
Start Your Oregon Notary Career Today
The Oregon Notary Public commission opens doors to serving one of the Pacific Northwest's most dynamic states with modern notary laws and RON authorization. With proper preparation and only a 3-hour required course, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ ORS Chapter 194 specifics
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
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