Free Practice Questions for Wisconsin Notary
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Key Facts: Wisconsin Notary Exam
4 years
Standard commission term (permanent for WI attorneys)
Wis. Stat. ch. 140; DFI Notary General Information (checked 2026-10-19)
90%
Passing score on the 30-question DFI online exam (27 of 30)
Wisconsin DFI Notary Tutorial final exam instructions (checked 2026-10-19)
$500
Required surety bond for a four-year commission
Wis. Stat. s. 140.02; DFI Notary Handbook (checked 2026-10-19)
$5
Maximum fee per most in-person notarial acts
Wis. Stat. s. 140.02(9) (checked 2026-10-19)
$20
DFI application filing fee ($50 for permanent attorney commission)
Wisconsin DFI Notary Fees (checked 2026-10-19)
May 1, 2020
Remote online notarization authorized in Wisconsin
2019 Wisconsin Act 125, s. 82 (published March 4, 2020); Wis. Stat. s. 140.145 (checked 2026-10-19)
Wisconsin commissions notaries through the DFI for a four-year term (permanent for licensed Wisconsin attorneys). Four-year applicants must pass the DFI online notary exam (30 questions, 90% to pass, within one year before applying) and post a $500 surety bond; the application filing fee is $20. Notaries may charge no more than $5 per in-person notarial act under s. 140.02(9), and Wisconsin has permitted remote online notarization since May 1, 2020.
Sample Wisconsin Notary Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Wisconsin Notary exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which Wisconsin agency commissions notaries public and regulates them under Chapter 140 of the Wisconsin Statutes?
2How long is a standard (non-attorney) Wisconsin notary public commission valid?
3What is the minimum surety bond amount a person must post to receive a standard four-year Wisconsin notary commission?
4Does Wisconsin require a non-attorney applicant to pass an examination before being commissioned as a notary public?
5What score must a non-attorney applicant achieve on Wisconsin's online notary final exam to pass?
6Which type of applicant may obtain a Wisconsin permanent notary commission and is exempt from the notary exam and the bond requirement?
7What is the application (filing) fee paid to DFI for a standard four-year Wisconsin notary commission?
8What is the maximum fee a Wisconsin notary may charge for performing most in-person notarial acts?
9A document states 'This instrument was acknowledged before me on June 1, 2026, by Jane Doe.' Which notarial act does this certificate evidence?
10In Wisconsin, what is the key difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?
About the Wisconsin Notary Exam
The Wisconsin Notary Public Commission is issued by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) under Chapter 140 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Applicants for a four-year commission must complete the free DFI online tutorial and pass its 30-question final exam with a 90% score, post a $500 surety bond, and obtain an official seal before being commissioned for four years.
Exam sponsor: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Notary Section. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
30 questions
Time Limit
No time limit published (online; one sitting)
Passing Score
90% (27 of 30 questions)
Exam / Certification Fees
$20 application fee to DFI (the online exam itself is free)
Exam sponsor websiteFees, 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.
Qualifications & Commissioning
Eligibility (18+, U.S. resident, 8th-grade-equivalent education, no disqualifying conviction), the mandatory DFI online exam, the $20 filing fee, the 4-year term, the permanent attorney commission, and renewal procedures.
Notarial Acts & Certificate Wording
Acknowledgments versus jurats, oaths and affirmations, witnessing unsworn signatures, copy certifications, protests, venue, and representative-capacity certificate language.
Identification & Personal Appearance
Satisfactory evidence of identity under s. 140.07, the 3-year ID expiration window, credible witnesses, and the requirement that the signer personally appear.
Seal, Bond & Fees
Required seal/stamp elements (Notary Public, State of Wisconsin, full legal last name), the $500 surety bond, optional E&O insurance, and the $5 maximum statutory fee.
Remote Online Notarization
RON under Chapter 140 effective May 1, 2020, approved technology providers, dual identity proofing, 7-year audio-video retention, and attorney-supervised estate-planning rules.
Prohibited Acts, UPL & Discipline
The vital-records prohibition, conflicts of interest, the limits on unauthorized practice of law, grounds for revocation, and criminal and civil penalties.
Preparing for the Wisconsin Notary Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 90% (27 of 30 questions)
- Exam length: 30 questions
- Time limit: No time limit published (online; one sitting)
- Exam / certification fees: $20 application fee to DFI (the online exam itself is free) 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
Wisconsin Notary: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wisconsin require a notary exam?
Yes. Applicants for a four-year commission, including renewals, must complete the free DFI online tutorial and pass its 30-question final exam with a score of 90% or better (27 of 30) within one year before applying, then submit the exam certificate with the application. Wisconsin-licensed attorneys applying for a permanent commission do not take the exam.
How long does a Wisconsin notary commission last?
A standard Wisconsin notary commission lasts four years from the date of issuance. Attorneys licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and in good standing may instead obtain a permanent commission, which lasts as long as they remain a U.S.-resident licensed Wisconsin attorney.
How much is the Wisconsin notary bond?
Wisconsin requires a $500 surety bond for every four-year commission. The bond protects the public for up to $500 in damages from the notary's misconduct or neglect; damages beyond $500 are the notary's personal responsibility. No bond is required for a permanent attorney commission.
What can a Wisconsin notary charge per notarial act?
Under Wis. Stat. s. 140.02(9), a Wisconsin notary may charge no more than $5 for performing most in-person notarial acts, plus a small per-folio copying charge (12 cents) for certain documents. DFI may set a different maximum for remote online notarizations.
Does Wisconsin allow remote online notarization (RON)?
Yes. Wisconsin has permitted remote online notarization since May 1, 2020 (2019 Wisconsin Act 125, codified in Chapter 140). Any commissioned notary may perform RON after authorizing with a DFI-approved technology provider; the act is recorded on audio-video and retained at least seven years. Estate-planning documents follow a separate attorney-supervised process under s. 140.147.
Is a notary journal required in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require a notary to keep a journal for standard in-person notarizations, though DFI encourages keeping one as a defensive record. For remote online notarizations, the mandatory audio-video recording effectively serves as the record of the transaction.