200+ Free South Dakota Notary Practice Questions
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Key Facts: South Dakota Notary Exam
6 years
Length of a South Dakota notary commission term
SD Notary Public Handbook (Secretary of State); SDCL 18-1
$0 bond
No surety bond required as of July 1, 2025
2025 South Dakota Legislative Session
$30
Filing fee for the Notary Application and Oath
SD Secretary of State Notary Public Handbook
$10
Maximum fee per instrument notarized
SDCL 18-1-9
No exam
South Dakota does not require a state notary exam
SD Secretary of State notary application process
10 years
Required retention of remote online notarization audio-visual recordings
SDCL 18-1-11.3
A South Dakota notary public is commissioned by the Secretary of State for a six-year term. As of July 1, 2025 no surety bond is required, and the application filing fee is $30. Notaries may charge up to $10 per instrument under SDCL 18-1-9 (no fee for absentee ballot requests), and South Dakota does not require a state exam. Remote notarization of tangible documents has been allowed since 2019, and remote online notarization of electronic records was authorized by SB 211 in 2024.
Sample South Dakota Notary Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your South Dakota Notary exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which state official commissions notaries public in South Dakota?
2How long is a South Dakota notary public commission valid?
3What is the minimum age to become a notary public in South Dakota?
4Which residency condition satisfies South Dakota notary eligibility?
5Does South Dakota require applicants to pass a written notary examination before being commissioned?
6As of the 2025 legislative change, what is South Dakota's surety bond requirement for new notary applicants?
7What is the filing fee to process a South Dakota Notary Public Application and Oath?
8Under SDCL 18-1-9, what is the maximum fee a South Dakota notary may charge for each instrument notarized?
9For which document may a South Dakota notary NOT charge a fee?
10Does South Dakota law require a notary public to keep a journal or register of notarial acts?
About the South Dakota Notary Exam
South Dakota notaries public are commissioned by the Secretary of State for a six-year term. There is no mandatory state notary exam; applicants submit an Application and Oath with a $30 filing fee, and as of July 1, 2025 no surety bond is required. This free practice test teaches the notary law every South Dakota notary must know.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
No state exam (self-paced practice)
Passing Score
No state passing score; aim for 90%+ on this notary-law practice test
Exam Fee
$30 application filing fee (no surety bond required as of July 1, 2025) (South Dakota Secretary of State)
South Dakota Notary Exam Content Outline
Qualifications & Commissioning
Eligibility (at least 18, South Dakota residency or a bordering-county work connection, no felony), the $30 Application and Oath, the six-year term that expires at midnight on the anniversary date, renewal within 60 days, and the Secretary of State's role.
Authorized Notarial Acts
Taking acknowledgments, witnessing signatures, and administering oaths and affirmations; the prohibition on certifying copies; the ministerial role; statewide county jurisdiction; and the Secretary of State's apostille and authentication services.
Certificates, Seal & Recordkeeping
The five parts of a notary certificate, acknowledgment versus jurat wording, seal elements and the rule that expiration language stays outside the border, certificate corrections, loose certificates, and the optional but recommended journal.
Identification & Personal Appearance
The first rule of notarizing (personal appearance), acceptable government photo IDs, identification by personal knowledge or credible witness, and assessing the signer's competency and voluntariness.
Remote & Electronic Notarization
2019 remote notarization of tangible documents under SDCL 18-1-11.1, 2024 remote online notarization of electronic records under SDCL 18-1-11.2, two-method identity proofing, E-Notary registration via the Notary Change Form, and 10-year audio-visual recording retention.
Fees, Liability & Discipline
The $10 statutory fee cap, the absentee-ballot fee exception, no-bond status, avoiding the unauthorized practice of law, prohibited acts, and grounds for revocation and civil or criminal penalties.
How to Pass the South Dakota Notary Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No state passing score; aim for 90%+ on this notary-law practice test
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: No state exam (self-paced practice)
- Exam fee: $30 application filing fee (no surety bond required as of July 1, 2025)
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
South Dakota Notary Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a South Dakota notary commission valid?
A South Dakota notary commission is valid for six years from the date the Secretary of State issues it, and it expires at midnight on the day of expiration. Renewals use the same Application and Oath and may be submitted up to 60 days before expiration.
Does South Dakota require a notary exam?
No. South Dakota does not require a written notary exam or a training course. You become a notary by submitting the Application and Oath with the $30 filing fee to the Secretary of State and receiving your commission certificate. This practice test helps you learn the required notary law.
Do I need a surety bond to be a notary in South Dakota?
No. A law passed during the 2025 Legislative Session removed the surety bond requirement effective July 1, 2025. Previously a $5,000 bond was required; now you simply complete the Notary Application and Oath.
How much can a South Dakota notary charge per notarization?
Under SDCL 18-1-9, a South Dakota notary may charge up to $10 for each instrument notarized. No fee may be charged for notarizing a request for an absentee ballot.
Does South Dakota allow remote online notarization?
Yes. South Dakota authorized remote notarization of tangible documents in 2019 (SDCL 18-1-11.1) and remote online notarization of electronic records via SB 211 in 2024 (SDCL 18-1-11.2). The notary must be physically located in South Dakota, use two methods of identity proofing for electronic records, and retain the audio-visual recording for 10 years.
Is a notary journal required in South Dakota?
No. South Dakota law no longer requires a notary to keep a register or journal of acts, though the Secretary of State recommends keeping one as a best practice for verifying acts and protecting yourself if you must testify later.