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Exam Review

Key Facts: Alabama Notary Exam

4 years

Alabama notary commission term under Ala. Code 36-20-70

Code of Alabama 36-20-70 / Act 2023-548 (checked 2026-10-19)

$50,000

Surety bond required of new Alabama notaries (raised from $25,000 in 2023)

Code of Alabama 36-20-71 / Act 2023-548 (checked 2026-10-19)

$10

Maximum fee an Alabama notary may charge per notarial act

Code of Alabama 36-20-74 / Act 2023-548 (checked 2026-10-19)

No state exam

Alabama requires pre-commission training, not a statewide written notary exam

Code of Alabama 36-20-70(e); Alabama Secretary of State notary page (checked 2026-10-19)

7 years

Required retention period for remote notarization audio-video recordings

Code of Alabama 36-20-73.1 as amended by Act 2026-536 (checked 2026-10-19)

July 1, 2021

Date Alabama authorized remote online notarization

Code of Alabama 36-20-73.1

An Alabama notary public serves a four-year term, is commissioned by the county judge of probate, and must carry a $50,000 surety bond payable to the State of Alabama. The maximum fee is $10 per notarial act under Ala. Code 36-20-74. Alabama has no mandatory statewide notary exam, but Act 2023-548 (effective September 1, 2023) requires a free pre-commission training program, raised fees and the bond, and added Class C misdemeanor and Class D felony penalties for misconduct.

Sample Alabama Notary Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Alabama Notary exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In Alabama, who appoints and commissions a notary public?
A.The Alabama Secretary of State
B.The Governor of Alabama
C.The judge of probate of the applicant's county
D.The clerk of the circuit court
Explanation: Under Ala. Code § 36-20-70, notaries public are appointed and commissioned by the judges of probate of the several counties. The Secretary of State only keeps the public records of notary commissions and publishes the official Handbook; it does not appoint notaries.
2How long does an Alabama notary public commission last?
A.Two years
B.Three years
C.Ten years
D.Four years
Explanation: Ala. Code § 36-20-70(a) provides that notaries public hold office for four years from the date of their commission. Act 2023-548 amended the notary law in 2023 but left the four-year term unchanged.
3What is the surety bond amount required of a new Alabama notary public under current law?
A.$10,000
B.$25,000
C.$100,000
D.$50,000
Explanation: Act 2023-548 amended Ala. Code § 36-20-71 to increase the required surety bond from $25,000 to $50,000, payable to the State of Alabama. The bond must be obtained from an Alabama-licensed bond producer and approved by the probate judge before the notary acts.
4Does Alabama require an applicant to pass a state-administered written notary examination?
A.No statewide exam is required, but applicants must complete a mandatory pre-commission training program
B.Yes, a closed-book exam given by the probate judge
C.Yes, a 50-question state exam administered by the Secretary of State
D.No exam and no training of any kind are required
Explanation: Alabama does not mandate a statewide written notary exam. However, under Ala. Code § 36-20-70(e), since September 1, 2023 every new and renewing applicant must complete a pre-commission training program developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute.
5Effective when did Alabama begin requiring a mandatory pre-commission training program for notary applicants?
A.July 1, 2021
B.September 1, 2023
C.January 1, 2012
D.October 1, 2026
Explanation: Act 2023-548 took effect September 1, 2023, adding the mandatory pre-commission training requirement to Ala. Code § 36-20-70(e). The training is developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute.
6Which body developed the mandatory Alabama notary pre-commission training program?
A.The National Notary Association
B.The Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute
C.The Alabama Secretary of State alone
D.The Alabama State Bar
Explanation: Ala. Code § 36-20-70(e) requires the training program to be prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association (APJA) and the Alabama Law Institute (ALI). The APJA hosts the free training on its website.
7What is the maximum fee an Alabama notary may charge for performing a single notarial act under current law?
A.$10
B.$5
C.$2
D.$15
Explanation: Act 2023-548 amended Ala. Code § 36-20-74 to allow a reasonable fee not to exceed $10 for each notarial act performed (raised from the prior $5). The cap applies per act, so separate signatures or documents may each be charged up to $10.
8May a county employee charge the public a notary fee for a notarial act performed as part of his or her public service?
A.Yes, the standard $10 fee always applies
B.No fee may be charged unless otherwise provided by law
C.Yes, but only up to $5
D.Only if the employee personally bought the seal
Explanation: Ala. Code § 36-20-74 states that no fee may be charged by a state, county, or municipal employee for a notarial act performed during, and as part of, his or her public service, unless otherwise provided by law.
9Is an Alabama notary public required by law to keep a journal or record book of notarial acts performed in person?
A.No, a journal is not required for traditional in-person acts, though one is recommended
B.Yes, a journal is mandatory for all notarizations
C.Yes, but only for real estate documents
D.No, and keeping a journal is actually prohibited
Explanation: Since 2011, Alabama has not required notaries to maintain a journal for traditional in-person notarizations, as confirmed in the Secretary of State's Handbook. Keeping a journal remains a strongly recommended best practice for evidentiary protection.
10Which of the following is an authorized power of an Alabama notary public under Ala. Code § 36-20-73?
A.Administering oaths in all matters incident to the office
B.Granting divorces
C.Issuing marriage licenses
D.Presiding over small-claims hearings
Explanation: Ala. Code § 36-20-73 authorizes notaries to administer oaths in all matters incident to the exercise of their office, take acknowledgments and proof of instruments, and protest commercial paper. Notaries are ministerial officers, not judicial officers.

About the Alabama Notary Exam

Alabama notaries public are appointed and commissioned by the judge of probate in their county of residence for four-year terms under Ala. Code 36-20-70 to 36-20-75. There is no mandatory statewide written exam, but every applicant must complete a free pre-commission training program and obtain a $50,000 surety bond before acting.

Exam sponsor: County Judge of Probate (commissioning); Alabama Secretary of State (statewide notary records). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

No statewide exam; self-paced pre-commission training and practice questions

Passing Score

No state passing score; complete the APJA/Alabama Law Institute training (APJA says no test is required to receive the certificate)

Exam / Certification Fees

$10 application fee (plus a $25 commission fee collected by the probate judge)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

22%

Qualifications & Commissioning

How to qualify and apply through the county judge of probate: 18+ Alabama resident, mandatory pre-commission training, four-year term, and statutory denial grounds under Ala. Code 36-20-70.

18%

Authorized Notarial Acts

Administering oaths and affirmations, taking acknowledgments and proofs, certifying copies, protesting commercial paper, and statewide jurisdiction under Ala. Code 36-20-73.

16%

Certificates, Seal & Recordkeeping

Acknowledgment vs jurat certificate wording, required seal elements (ink stamp or embosser), and Alabama's no-journal rule for in-person acts under Ala. Code 36-20-72.

14%

Identification & Personal Appearance

Positive identification by personal knowledge or government photo ID and the personal-appearance requirement under Ala. Code 36-20-73.1.

14%

Remote Online Notarization

Two-way audio-video notarization with the notary in Alabama, 7-year recording retention, remote identity verification, and the voting-document prohibition.

16%

Fees, Bond, Prohibited Acts & Discipline

The $10 per-act fee cap, $50,000 bond, unauthorized practice of law limits, and Class C misdemeanor / Class D felony penalties under Ala. Code 36-20-75.

Preparing for the Alabama Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No state passing score; complete the APJA/Alabama Law Institute training (APJA says no test is required to receive the certificate)
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: No statewide exam; self-paced pre-commission training and practice questions
  • Exam / certification fees: $10 application fee (plus a $25 commission fee collected by the probate judge) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 200 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Alabama Notary: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize the core Alabama numbers: 4-year term, $50,000 bond, $10 maximum fee per act, $10 application fee, and $25 commission fee.
2Know that the county judge of probate commissions notaries, while the Secretary of State keeps the statewide record of commissions.
3Distinguish acknowledgments (voluntary signing, no oath) from jurats (signer swears the contents are true) - this is heavily tested.
4Study the remote notarization rules in Ala. Code 36-20-73.1 as amended by Act 2026-536: notary in Alabama, signer in the U.S., 7-year recording, identity verification, and the ban on voting documents.
5Learn the discipline framework in Ala. Code 36-20-75: Class C misdemeanor for acts like overcharging or acting on an expired commission, and Class D felony for fraud-related conduct.
6Review unauthorized practice of law: a non-attorney notary cannot give legal advice, choose documents, or help with immigration forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pass an exam to become a notary in Alabama?

No. Alabama does not require a statewide written notary exam. Instead, since September 1, 2023, every new and renewing applicant must complete a free pre-commission training program developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute (licensed attorneys are exempt). This practice test helps you learn the same body of notary law the training covers.

How long does an Alabama notary commission last and who issues it?

An Alabama notary commission lasts four years and is issued by the judge of probate in your county of residence, not the Secretary of State. Probate judges report each commission to the Secretary of State, which keeps the statewide public record of notaries.

What bond and fees are required to become an Alabama notary?

Under Act 2023-548, you must obtain a $50,000 surety bond payable to the State of Alabama from an Alabama-licensed bond producer, pay a $10 application fee, and the probate judge collects a $25 commission fee. The bond protects the public, not you; optional errors-and-omissions insurance protects the notary.

How much can an Alabama notary charge per notarial act?

Ala. Code 36-20-74 caps the fee at $10 per notarial act (raised from $5 by Act 2023-548). The cap applies per act, and state, county, or municipal employees generally cannot charge for acts performed as part of their public service. Charging more than the cap is a Class C misdemeanor.

Does Alabama allow remote online notarization (RON)?

Yes. Ala. Code 36-20-73.1 allows a signer to appear by two-way audio-video communication if the notary is physically located in Alabama and keeps the recording for seven years. From October 1, 2026, Act 2026-536 also requires the signer to be in the United States, the notary to tell participants the session is recorded, and identity proof by personal knowledge or two government IDs plus a data-source check. The notary must refuse if the signer appears incompetent or coerced, the technology is not secure, or the signer's image appears artificially generated. Remote notarization may not be used for absentee ballot applications, ballot affidavits, or any voting purpose.

Is an Alabama notary required to keep a journal?

No. Alabama law does not require notaries to keep a journal for traditional in-person acts, though keeping one is strongly recommended as evidence. Remote notarizations are different: the notary must retain the audio-video recording of each session for seven years.