Free Practice Questions for North Dakota Notary

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

200+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Notary Public

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

More From This Family

Videos and articles for deeper review.

VideoAlabama Notary 2026: No Exam, $50K Bond, 4-Year Term VideoArkansas Notary 2026: No Exam, $20 Fee, 10-Year Term VideoCA Notary Thumbprint Rules 2026: FREE Guide VideoConnecticut Notary Bond Requirements (2026): Cost, Filing, and Renewal ArticleFREE California Notary Practice Questions 2026: 40 Q&A With Explanations18 min read ArticleBest Notary Stamps & Embossers by State: The Complete 2026 Guide13 min read ArticleTexas Notary Requirements 2026: No Exam Needed10 min read ArticleFREE Wisconsin Notary Exam Guide 2026: Pass Your WI Notary Exam on the First Try11 min read

Exam Review

Key Facts: North Dakota Notary Exam

4 years

Length of a North Dakota notary commission

NDCC 44-06.1-20(5) (checked 2026-10-19)

$7,500

Required surety bond amount for the commission term

NDCC 44-06.1-20(4) (checked 2026-10-19)

$5.00

Maximum fee per notarial act in North Dakota

NDCC 44-06.1-28 (checked 2026-10-19)

$36

State application/filing fee paid to the Secretary of State

NDCC 44-06.1-20(1) (checked 2026-10-19)

No exam

North Dakota requires no mandatory written notary exam

NDCC 44-06.1-20 qualifications; ND Secretary of State, Become a Notary Public (checked 2026-10-19)

10 years

Retention period for remote-notarization journals and recordings

NDCC 44-06.1-16.1 and 44-06.1-13.1 (checked 2026-10-19)

A North Dakota notary commission lasts 4 years and is issued by the Secretary of State. Applicants must be 18+, file a $7,500 surety bond and an oath of office, and pay a $36 fee; no written state exam is required. Notaries may charge up to $5.00 per notarial act, must use a photographically reproducible stamp obtained with the Secretary of State's certificate of authorization, and may perform Remote Online and Remote Ink Notarization after notifying the Secretary of State.

Sample North Dakota Notary Practice Questions

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

1Which government official commissions notaries public in North Dakota?

A.The Secretary of State

B.The county probate judge

C.The Lieutenant Governor

D.The clerk of the district court

Explanation: Under NDCC 44-06.1-01(7) and 44-06.1-20, a notary public is an individual commissioned to perform notarial acts by the North Dakota Secretary of State. Applications, the bond, the oath, and the stamping-device authorization are all filed with the Secretary of State.

2How long is a North Dakota notary public commission valid?

A.Two years

B.Four years

C.Five years

D.Ten years

Explanation: NDCC 44-06.1-20(5) provides that the Secretary of State issues a notary public commission for a term of four years, unless the notary is sooner removed. A commission may be renewed up to 60 days before its expiration date.

3What is the minimum age to be commissioned as a notary public in North Dakota?

A.16 years old

B.21 years old

C.18 years old

D.25 years old

Explanation: NDCC 44-06.1-20(2)(a) requires that an applicant for a notary commission be at least 18 years of age. There is no upper age limit.

4Does North Dakota require applicants to pass a written state notary examination before being commissioned?

A.Yes, a 50-question proctored exam is required

B.Yes, an online exam with a 70% passing score is required

C.Only for notaries who intend to perform remote notarizations

D.No, North Dakota does not require a state notary exam

Explanation: North Dakota does not mandate a written notary examination. NDCC 44-06.1-20 lists the requirements (age, citizenship/residency, English literacy, bond, oath, fee) but no exam or pre-commission education course. Studying the law is still strongly advised to perform acts correctly.

5What is the application (filing) fee to apply for a North Dakota notary public commission?

A.$36

B.$10

C.$20

D.$50

Explanation: NDCC 44-06.1-20(1) sets the application fee at thirty-six dollars ($36), payable to the Secretary of State. The same $36 fee applies to renewals.

6What amount of surety bond must a North Dakota notary applicant obtain before being commissioned?

A.$5,000

B.$7,500

C.$10,000

D.$15,000

Explanation: NDCC 44-06.1-20(4) requires an assurance in the form of a surety bond (or functional equivalent) in the amount of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500), covering acts performed during the commission term. The bond protects the public, not the notary.

7What is the maximum fee a North Dakota notary may charge for a single notarial act?

A.$2.00

B.$10.00

C.$5.00

D.$15.00

Explanation: NDCC 44-06.1-28 provides that a notary public is entitled to charge not more than five dollars ($5.00) per notarial act. Charging more is an infraction. Separate travel and technology fees may be allowed by advance agreement.

8A signer must do what before a North Dakota notary may notarize their signature on a traditional paper document?

A.Mail the signed document to the notary in advance

B.Provide a notarized affidavit of identity from a third party

C.Submit the document to the Secretary of State for pre-approval

D.Personally appear before the notary

Explanation: NDCC 44-06.1-05 requires that the individual making the statement or executing the signature appear personally before the notarial officer. Personal appearance is a foundational requirement and may not be waived for in-person notarizations.

9In North Dakota, what does a signer declare when a notary performs an acknowledgment?

A.That they signed the record for the purpose stated in it

B.That every statement in the document is true under oath

C.That the notary personally witnessed the signing

D.That the copy is a true and correct copy of the original

Explanation: Under NDCC 44-06.1-01(1), an acknowledgment is a declaration by the signer that they signed the record for the purpose stated in it (and, if signed in a representative capacity, that they had authority). It is not a sworn statement about the truth of the contents.

10What was the former name for the notarial act North Dakota now calls a 'verification on oath or affirmation'?

A.Acknowledgment

B.Jurat

C.Protest

D.Copy certification

Explanation: The North Dakota Secretary of State explains that a verification on oath or affirmation was formerly known as a jurat. The signer swears or affirms that the statements in the record are true and signs in the notary's presence (NDCC 44-06.1-01(14)).

About the North Dakota Notary Exam

North Dakota commissions notaries public through the Secretary of State under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (NDCC ch. 44-06.1). There is no mandatory state exam or education course, but every notary must know the law on personal appearance, identification, certificates, fees, the seal, and remote notarization. This free practice test covers that body of law.

Exam sponsor: North Dakota Secretary of State. 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

Self-paced (no official exam time limit)

Passing Score

No state exam; aim for 85%+ on this practice test to confirm mastery

Exam / Certification Fees

$36 application/filing fee (NDCC 44-06.1-20)

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

20%

Qualifications & Commissioning

Eligibility, the 4-year term, oath of office, $36 fee, bond filing, and renewal through the North Dakota Secretary of State.

22%

Notarial Acts & Certificates

Acknowledgments, verifications on oath or affirmation, witnessing signatures, copy certifications, and required certificate wording and elements.

15%

Identification & Personal Appearance

Personal appearance, personal knowledge, satisfactory evidence with the 3-year expired-ID rule, and credible witnesses.

18%

Seal, Stamp & Recordkeeping

Stamp elements and size limits, photographic reproducibility, device security and disabling, and journal rules mandatory for remote acts.

12%

Fees, Bond & Liability

The $5 per-act maximum, travel and technology fees, the $7,500 bond, surety liability, and optional E&O insurance.

Remote & Electronic Notarization

RON, RIN, and electronic notarization; Secretary of State notification, identity proofing, and 10-year recording and journal retention.

Prohibited Acts & Discipline

Unauthorized practice of law, conflicts of interest, restricted copy certifications, and grounds for denial, revocation, and penalties.

Preparing for the North Dakota Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No state exam; aim for 85%+ on this practice test to confirm mastery
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: Self-paced (no official exam time limit)
Exam / certification fees: $36 application/filing fee (NDCC 44-06.1-20) 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

North Dakota Notary: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read NDCC chapter 44-06.1 (the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) directly; nearly every test point traces to a specific section.

2Memorize the core North Dakota numbers: 4-year term, $7,500 bond, $36 fee, $5 per-act fee cap, 3-year expired-ID window, and 10-year remote retention.

3Learn the difference between an acknowledgment and a verification on oath or affirmation (formerly jurat), including their signal words and certificate forms.

4Know the stamp rules cold: required words, size limits, photographic reproducibility, and the Secretary of State's certificate of authorization needed to buy a stamp.

5Distinguish RON, RIN, and in-person electronic notarization, and remember you must notify the Secretary of State before performing remote or electronic acts.

6Study the prohibited acts and unauthorized-practice-of-law limits, including spouse conflicts, restricted copy certifications, and the 'notario publico' rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a required notary exam in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota does not mandate a statewide notary examination or a pre-commission education course. You apply through the Secretary of State's FirstStop Portal, take an oath of office, file a $7,500 surety bond, and pay the $36 fee. This practice test helps you learn the law you are still responsible for following.

How long does a North Dakota notary commission last?

A North Dakota notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the commencement date on the commission certificate (NDCC 44-06.1-20). You may renew up to 60 days before it expires, and the Secretary of State notifies you at least 30 days before expiration.

How much does it cost to become a North Dakota notary?

The state filing fee is $36. You also need a $7,500 surety bond (SFN 19355) and a notary stamp bought with the Secretary of State's certificate of authorization; bond and stamp prices vary by vendor. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional.

What is the maximum fee a North Dakota notary can charge?

A notary may charge no more than $5.00 per notarial act (NDCC 44-06.1-28). A separate travel fee is allowed only with advance agreement and disclosure, and a technology fee may apply to electronic or remote notarizations under the same conditions.

Does North Dakota allow remote online notarization (RON)?

Yes. North Dakota authorizes both Remote Online Notarization (RON) for electronic documents and Remote Ink Notarization (RIN) for paper documents under NDCC 44-06.1-13.1. You must first file a Notary Public Amendment with the Secretary of State naming your technology provider, confirm the signer's identity by personal knowledge, a credible witness, or at least two types of identity proofing, and retain the audiovisual recording and a journal for 10 years.

Does a North Dakota notary have to keep a journal?

A journal is not required by law for traditional in-person notarizations, though it is strongly recommended. A journal is mandatory for any notarial act performed for a remotely located individual, and it must be retained for 10 years (NDCC 44-06.1-16.1).

Free Practice Questions for North Dakota Notary

Explore More Notary Public

Arkansas Notary Public

Illinois Notary Public

Missouri Notary Public

Notary Public

California Notary Public

New York Notary Public