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200+ Free Missouri Notary Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Missouri Notary Exam

4 years

Commission Term

Missouri Secretary of State - Qualifying (Chapter 486 RSMo)

80%

Required Exam Score

Section 486.630 RSMo (accessed June 2026)

$10,000

Surety Bond Amount

Missouri Secretary of State - Notary Bond (Chapter 486 RSMo)

$25

Application Fee

Missouri Notary Public Handbook (2025 edition)

$5 per signature

Max Acknowledgment/Jurat Fee

Section 486.685 RSMo (accessed June 2026)

10 years

Journal Retention

Section 486.700 RSMo (accessed June 2026)

A Missouri notary commission lasts 4 years and requires an 80% exam score, a $25 application fee, and a $10,000 surety bond filed at the county clerk within 60 days of issuance. Statutory fee caps are $5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats, and signature witnessings, and $1 per page (minimum $3) for certified copies. A bound journal is mandatory and must be kept at least 10 years, and remote online notarization has been authorized since August 2020 with separate electronic-notary registration.

Sample Missouri Notary Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Missouri Notary exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Missouri official commissions notaries public?
A.The county probate judge
B.The Missouri Lieutenant Governor
C.The clerk of the circuit court
D.The Missouri Secretary of State
Explanation: Under Chapter 486 RSMo, the Missouri Secretary of State (Commissions Division) issues, denies, renews, and revokes notary commissions. The Secretary administers the application, exam, and statewide notary registry.
2How long is a Missouri notary public commission valid?
A.One year
B.Five years
C.Four years
D.Ten years
Explanation: A Missouri notary commission runs for a term of four years from the date of issuance shown on the commission certificate. The $10,000 surety bond must also cover the same four-year term.
3What is the minimum age to be commissioned as a notary public in Missouri?
A.16 years old
B.18 years old
C.21 years old
D.25 years old
Explanation: Section 486.605 RSMo requires a notary applicant to be at least 18 years of age. This is one of the five core statutory qualifications, along with residency, legal U.S. presence, English literacy, and passing the exam.
4Does Missouri require notary applicants to pass an examination?
A.No, Missouri requires only an application and bond
B.Yes, but only for remote online notaries
C.Yes, applicants must score at least 80% on an exam administered by the Secretary of State
D.Yes, a proctored in-person exam at a county courthouse
Explanation: Section 486.630 RSMo requires applicants to attest to reading the Missouri Notary Public Handbook or completing approved training and to score at least 80% on an examination administered by the Secretary of State covering notarial laws, procedures, and ethics.
5What minimum score must a Missouri notary applicant achieve on the required examination?
A.60%
B.70%
C.80%
D.90%
Explanation: Under Section 486.630 RSMo, an applicant must receive a score of 80% or better on the examination administered by the Secretary of State before a commission is issued. The exam is based on notarial laws, procedures, and ethics.
6What surety bond amount must a Missouri notary obtain?
A.$5,000
B.$15,000
C.$25,000
D.$10,000
Explanation: Missouri requires a $10,000 surety bond covering the four-year commission term. The bond protects the public; if the surety pays a claim, the notary must reimburse the surety company.
7What is the nonrefundable application fee paid to the State of Missouri for a notary commission?
A.$10
B.$50
C.$25
D.$100
Explanation: The Missouri notary commission application fee is $25, nonrefundable, paid to the State of Missouri. This is separate from the cost of the surety bond, the seal, and any county oath fee.
8After the Secretary of State issues a commission, how many days does a Missouri applicant have to qualify at the county clerk's office?
A.15 days
B.30 days
C.90 days
D.60 days
Explanation: Missouri law allows up to 60 days from the commission issue date for the applicant to qualify at the county clerk's office by taking the oath and presenting the $10,000 bond. Failure to qualify within 60 days results in the commission being marked not qualified.
9Where does a Missouri notary applicant take the oath of office and file the bond?
A.At the Secretary of State's office in Jefferson City
B.At the county clerk's office
C.Before a Missouri circuit judge
D.At any licensed bonding company
Explanation: The applicant must appear in person at the county clerk's office to take the oath of office and present the $10,000 surety bond. The clerk administers the oath and delivers the commission certificate; the notary then mails the oath and bond to the Secretary of State.
10Which of the following is NOT a statutory qualification to become a Missouri notary public?
A.Be at least 18 years old
B.Reside or have a regular place of work or business in Missouri
C.Be able to read and write English
D.Hold a high school diploma or GED
Explanation: Section 486.605 RSMo lists five qualifications: at least 18, resides or works in Missouri, resides legally in the U.S., reads and writes English, and passes the exam. There is no diploma or degree requirement.

About the Missouri Notary Exam

Missouri notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State under Chapter 486 RSMo (the 2020 Missouri Notary Act). Unlike most states, Missouri requires applicants to score at least 80% on an examination covering notarial laws, procedures, and ethics, then qualify at the county clerk with a $10,000 bond and oath.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Untimed online exam completed with the application/training

Passing Score

80% on the Secretary of State examination

Exam Fee

$25 nonrefundable application fee (plus ~$30-$100 surety bond and county oath fee) (Missouri Secretary of State (Commissions Division))

Missouri Notary Exam Content Outline

22%

Qualifications, Commissioning & Renewal

Eligibility, 80% exam, $25 fee, $10,000 bond, oath at county clerk within 60 days, 4-year term, and reapplication

20%

Notarial Acts & Certificate Wording

Acknowledgments vs jurats, oaths/affirmations, signature witnessing, copy certification, and certificate elements

16%

Identification & Personal Appearance

Personal appearance, satisfactory evidence of identity, credible witnesses, and signer willingness and capacity

18%

Seal, Journal & Recordkeeping

Seal required elements and black ink, mandatory bound journal, required entries, and 10-year retention

12%

Fees, Bond & Liability

Section 486.685 fee caps, posted fee schedule, absentee-ballot exemption, $10,000 bond, and surety reimbursement

12%

RON, Prohibited Acts & Discipline

Remote online notarization, prohibited acts, unauthorized practice of law, and commission revocation

How to Pass the Missouri Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% on the Secretary of State examination
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Untimed online exam completed with the application/training
  • Exam fee: $25 nonrefundable application fee (plus ~$30-$100 surety bond and county oath fee)

Keys to Passing

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

Missouri Notary Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the Missouri numbers first: 4-year term, 80% exam, $25 fee, $10,000 bond, 60-day qualification window, and 10-year journal retention
2Master Section 486.685 fee caps: $5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats, and signature witnessings; $1 per page ($3 minimum) for certified copies
3Drill acknowledgment vs jurat scenarios, noting that a jurat adds an oath/affirmation and signing in the notary's presence
4Practice refusal scenarios for weak ID, coercion, incomplete documents, conflicts of interest, and family members
5Know the seal's required elements and the rule that a new seal is needed for each commission term
6Separate the standard commission from electronic-notary registration: RON requires extra registration, approved audio-video, and 10-year recording retention

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Missouri require a notary exam?

Yes. Under Section 486.630 RSMo, applicants must read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook or complete approved training and score at least 80% on an examination administered by the Secretary of State covering notarial laws, procedures, and ethics.

How long is a Missouri notary commission, and what does it cost?

A Missouri notary commission lasts 4 years. The application fee is $25 nonrefundable, plus the cost of a $10,000 surety bond (often $30-$100) and a county oath fee, along with seal and journal supplies.

What surety bond does Missouri require?

Missouri requires a $10,000 surety bond covering the 4-year term, filed with the county clerk during qualification. If the surety pays a claim, the notary must reimburse the surety. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.

What are the maximum notary fees in Missouri?

Section 486.685 RSMo caps acknowledgments, jurats, and signature witnessings at $5 per signature, and certified copies at $1 per page with a $3 minimum. A notary may not charge for notarizing an absentee ballot or absentee voter registration.

Is a notary journal required in Missouri?

Yes. Section 486.700 RSMo requires a permanently bound journal with numbered pages, only one active at a time, recording each notarial act. The journal must be kept for at least 10 years from the last entry.

Can Missouri notaries perform remote online notarizations?

Yes. Missouri authorized remote online notarization in August 2020. Notaries must separately register as electronic notaries with the Secretary of State, use approved two-way audio-video technology while physically in Missouri, and retain the session recording and electronic journal for at least 10 years.