Free Practice Questions for South Dakota Notary

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Exam Review

Key Facts: South Dakota Notary Exam

6 years

Length of a South Dakota notary commission term

SDCL 18-1-1 (checked 2026-10-19); SD Notary Public Handbook (July 2025)

$0 bond

No surety bond required as of July 1, 2025

SD Secretary of State Becoming a Notary Public page (checked 2026-10-19)

$30

Filing fee for the Notary Application and Oath

SDCL 18-1-1; SD Notary Public Handbook (July 2025) (checked 2026-10-19)

No cap

Statutory per-instrument fee limit removed in 2025 (no fee allowed for absentee ballot requests)

SDCL 18-1-9 (SL 2025, ch 91); SD Notary Public Handbook (July 2025) (checked 2026-10-19)

No exam

South Dakota does not require a state notary exam

SDCL 18-1-1; SD Notary Public Handbook (July 2025)

10 years

Required retention of remote online notarization audio-visual recordings

SDCL 18-1-11.3 (checked 2026-10-19)

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. Since a 2025 amendment, SDCL 18-1-9 lets a notary charge a fee for each instrument without a statutory cap, but no fee may be charged for notarizing an absentee ballot request, 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 review concepts for the South Dakota Notary exam. 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?

A.The county probate judge

B.The Lieutenant Governor

C.The South Dakota Secretary of State

D.The clerk of the circuit court

Explanation: Under SDCL 18-1-1, a notary public is a public official commissioned by the South Dakota Secretary of State. The Secretary of State appoints notaries, issues commissions, and maintains the records of all notaries in the state.

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

A.Four years

B.Six years

C.Five years

D.Ten years

Explanation: A South Dakota notary commission is valid for exactly six years from the date the Secretary of State makes the appointment and issues the commission. The commission expires at midnight on the day of expiration.

3What is the minimum age to become a notary public in South Dakota?

A.16 years old

B.25 years old

C.21 years old

D.18 years old

Explanation: Under SDCL 18-1-1, an applicant for a South Dakota notary commission must be at least eighteen years old. The application and oath require the applicant to affirm they are of legal age.

4Which residency condition satisfies South Dakota notary eligibility?

A.Being a permanent South Dakota resident, or a resident of a bordering county who maintains a place of work or business in South Dakota

B.Being a U.S. citizen residing anywhere in the United States

C.Owning property anywhere in South Dakota

D.Having lived in South Dakota for at least ten years

Explanation: SDCL 18-1-1 allows a permanent South Dakota resident, or a resident of a county bordering South Dakota who maintains a place of work or business in the state, to be commissioned. This accommodates cross-border workers from neighboring states.

5Does South Dakota require applicants to pass a written notary examination before being commissioned?

A.No, South Dakota does not require a state notary exam

B.Yes, but only for electronic notaries

C.Yes, a proctored 50-question exam with a 70% passing score

D.Yes, an open-book exam mailed with the application

Explanation: South Dakota does not mandate a statewide written notary examination. An applicant becomes a notary by submitting the Application and Oath with the filing fee and receiving the commission certificate; no test or training course is required by statute.

6As of the 2025 legislative change, what is South Dakota's surety bond requirement for new notary applicants?

A.A $5,000 surety bond is required

B.A $10,000 surety bond is required

C.A $25,000 surety bond is required

D.No surety bond is required

Explanation: A law passed during the 2025 Legislative Session removed the surety bond requirement effective July 1, 2025. Applicants now simply complete the Notary Application and Oath; the previously required $5,000 bond is no longer needed.

7What is the filing fee to process a South Dakota Notary Public Application and Oath?

A.$10

B.$50

C.$30

D.$100

Explanation: The filing fee for processing a South Dakota Notary Public Application and Oath is $30. The same application and fee apply to both new and renewal commissions.

8Under SDCL 18-1-9, what is the maximum fee a South Dakota notary may charge for each instrument notarized?

A.$5

B.$10

C.$15

D.There is no statutory maximum

Explanation: There is no longer a statutory maximum fee. South Dakota House Bill 1192 (2025 Legislative Session), effective July 1, 2025, removed the former $10-per-instrument cap. The current SDCL 18-1-9 (as amended by SL 2025, ch. 91) reads only that 'a notary public may charge and receive a fee for each instrument notarized, except that no notary public may charge a fee for notarizing a request for an absentee ballot' — it sets no dollar limit.

9For which document may a South Dakota notary NOT charge a fee?

A.A real estate deed

B.An affidavit

C.A power of attorney

D.A request for an absentee ballot

Explanation: SDCL 18-1-9 lets a notary charge and receive a fee for each instrument notarized and, since the 2025 amendment (SL 2025, ch 91), sets no dollar cap. The one exception is that no fee may be charged for notarizing a request for an absentee ballot. This exception protects access to voting.

10Does South Dakota law require a notary public to keep a journal or register of notarial acts?

A.Yes, a bound sequential journal is mandatory for every act

B.No, a journal is not required, though it is recommended as a best practice

C.Yes, but only for real estate documents

D.Yes, an electronic journal must be filed with the Secretary of State

Explanation: South Dakota law no longer requires a notary to keep a register or journal of notarial acts. The Secretary of State recommends keeping one as a best practice, because it helps verify acts and provides a record if the notary must testify later.

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.

Exam sponsor: South 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

No state exam (self-paced practice)

Passing Score

No state passing score; aim for 90%+ on this notary-law practice test

Exam / Certification Fees

$30 application filing fee (no surety bond required as of July 1, 2025)

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 (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.

20%

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.

20%

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.

15%

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.

15%

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.

10%

Fees, Liability & Discipline

Notary fees after the 2025 removal of the $10 statutory 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.

Preparing for 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 / certification fees: $30 application filing fee (no surety bond required as of July 1, 2025) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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South Dakota Notary: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read the South Dakota Notary Public Handbook from the Secretary of State cover to cover; it is designed to be your foremost resource.

2Memorize the core numbers: six-year term, $30 filing fee, no bond, no statutory fee cap since 2025 (but no fee for absentee ballot requests), and 10-year RON recording retention.

3Learn the difference between an acknowledgment (signer confirms a voluntary signature) and a jurat ('subscribed and sworn'-the signer swears the contents are true under oath).

4Master the five parts of a notary certificate: venue, body, notary's signature, seal/stamp, and commission expiration date.

5Know the personal-appearance rule and the three ways to identify a signer: personal knowledge, documentary proof (government photo ID), or a credible witness.

6Understand what South Dakota notaries cannot do: certify copies, draft legal documents, notarize without personal appearance, or place expiration language inside the seal border.

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?

SDCL 18-1-9, as amended in 2025, lets a South Dakota notary charge and receive a fee for each instrument notarized and no longer sets a $10 maximum. 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's notary procedures page says keeping one is to the notary's advantage for verifying acts and for testifying later.

Free Practice Questions for South Dakota Notary

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