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200+ Free West Virginia Notary Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: West Virginia Notary Exam

5 years

West Virginia notary commission term

WV Secretary of State Notary Handbook

$52.00

Statutory application fee for a WV notary commission

WV Secretary of State

$0

Surety bond required (West Virginia requires no bond)

WV Secretary of State Notary Handbook

$10.00

Maximum fee per signature notarized in West Virginia

W. Va. Code 39-4-30

June 2021

Remote online notarization (RON) authorized in West Virginia

WV Secretary of State

No exam

West Virginia mandates no statewide notary examination

WV Secretary of State Notary Handbook

West Virginia notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for a five-year term, with a $52 application fee and no surety bond required. The maximum fee for notarizing each signature is $10.00 under W. Va. Code 39-4-30, and no statewide notary exam is mandated. Remote Online Notarization has been authorized since June 2021, requiring electronic-notary registration and five-year retention of audiovisual recordings.

Sample West Virginia Notary Practice Questions

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

1Which official commissions notaries public in West Virginia?
A.The West Virginia Secretary of State
B.The county clerk of the circuit court
C.The Governor of West Virginia
D.The chief judge of the county probate court
Explanation: Under W. Va. Code Chapter 39, Article 4 (the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), a notary public is a public officer commissioned by the Secretary of State. Applications and fees are submitted to the Secretary of State's Office, which issues the commission letter.
2How long is a West Virginia notary public commission valid?
A.Four years
B.Five years
C.Seven years
D.Ten years
Explanation: West Virginia notary commissions are valid for a five-year period, per the Secretary of State's Notary Handbook. Renewals are not automatic; a new application must be filed for each appointment.
3Does West Virginia require an applicant to pass a written notary examination before being commissioned?
A.Yes, a state-administered written exam is mandatory
B.Yes, but only for electronic notaries
C.No, West Virginia does not require a notary exam
D.Only applicants under age 21 must take an exam
Explanation: West Virginia does not require a notary public to pass any written examination. An applicant completes an application attesting to the qualifications and pays the statutory fee; there is no mandatory state exam.
4What is the statutory filing fee to apply for a West Virginia notary public commission?
A.$10.00
B.$25.00
C.$100.00
D.$52.00
Explanation: Completed applications must be submitted with the statutory $52.00 fee to the Secretary of State's Office. Applicants may voluntarily pay an additional charge for expedited service.
5What is the minimum age to become a notary public in West Virginia?
A.18 years old
B.16 years old
C.21 years old
D.25 years old
Explanation: A West Virginia notary applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years old, as attested on the application under the Secretary of State's qualification requirements.
6Is a surety bond required to become a notary public in West Virginia?
A.Yes, a $1,000 surety bond is required
B.No, no surety bond is required
C.Yes, a $5,000 surety bond is required
D.Yes, a $10,000 surety bond is required
Explanation: No surety bond is needed to become a notary public in West Virginia. The former $1,000 bond requirement was eliminated; notaries may still voluntarily purchase errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance for their own protection.
7What is the maximum fee a West Virginia notary may charge for notarizing each signature?
A.$2.00
B.$5.00
C.$10.00
D.There is no statutory limit
Explanation: Under W. Va. Code § 39-4-30, the maximum fee for notarization of each signature and its proper recordation is $10.00 for each signature notarized. A notary may charge less but not more.
8Does West Virginia law require a notary public to keep a journal or record book of notarial acts?
A.Yes, a bound paper journal is mandatory
B.Yes, but only for electronic acts
C.No, journals are prohibited
D.No, a journal is not required but is strongly advised
Explanation: West Virginia does not require a notary to keep a journal. The Secretary of State's Handbook strongly advises keeping a record book because it documents the notary's personal knowledge of how a notarization was performed.
9Which words must appear on a West Virginia notary's official seal (stamp)?
A."Official Seal," "Notary Public," and "State of West Virginia"
B."Notary Seal" and "USA" only
C."Sworn Officer" and the county name
D."Commonwealth of West Virginia" and "Apostille"
Explanation: A West Virginia notary stamp must include the words "Official Seal," "Notary Public," and "State of West Virginia," plus the notary's name, address, and commission expiration date. It must have a border and be no larger than 1" x 2.5".
10What is the maximum permitted size of a West Virginia notary's official seal impression?
A.2" x 3"
B.1" x 2.5"
C.1.5" x 4"
D.There is no size limit
Explanation: The West Virginia notary stamp must have a border and be no larger than 1 inch by 2.5 inches, per the Secretary of State's seal requirements.

About the West Virginia Notary Exam

The West Virginia Notary Public commission is issued by the Secretary of State under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (W. Va. Code 39-4-1 et seq.). West Virginia does not require a written notary exam or a surety bond; applicants pay a $52 fee and must meet basic eligibility. This free practice test covers the full body of West Virginia notary law so you can perform acknowledgments, oaths, and other acts correctly.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

No state exam; practice at your own pace

Passing Score

No state passing score (West Virginia requires no notary exam)

Exam Fee

$52.00 statutory application fee (West Virginia Secretary of State)

West Virginia Notary Exam Content Outline

22%

Qualifications & Commissioning

Age 18, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, WV residency or employment, high school diploma, $52 application, five-year term, renewal within 60 days, resignation, and name/address changes via the Secretary of State.

21%

Authorized Notarial Acts & Certificate Wording

Acknowledgments vs. jurats, oaths and affirmations, signature witnessing, copy-certification limits, protests, directed signatures, and correct short-form certificates under RULONA.

15%

Identification & Personal Appearance

Personal-appearance rule, personal knowledge, satisfactory evidence (IDs current or expired within 3 years), and credible witnesses under W. Va. Code 39-4-7.

16%

Seal, Fees, Bond & Liability

Required seal wording and 1" x 2.5" size limit, $10 maximum fees, no surety bond, optional E&O insurance, and optional but recommended journal recordkeeping.

14%

Electronic & Remote Notarization

In-person electronic (IPEN), RON (since June 2021), RIN, electronic-notary registration, electronic seal and signature standards, identity proofing, and five-year recording retention.

12%

Prohibited Acts, UPL & Discipline

Conflicts of interest, no legal or immigration advice, false advertising, grounds for revocation, and criminal penalties under W. Va. Code 39-4-33.

How to Pass the West Virginia Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No state passing score (West Virginia requires no notary exam)
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: No state exam; practice at your own pace
  • Exam fee: $52.00 statutory application 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

West Virginia Notary Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the current WV Notary Handbook (Rev. September 2025) end to end; it mirrors W. Va. Code 39-4 and is the single best source for exam-style facts.
2Memorize the core numbers: five-year term, $52 application fee, $10 maximum fee, 1" x 2.5" seal limit, IDs expired within 3 years, and five-year RON recording retention.
3Be able to distinguish an acknowledgment from a jurat (verification on oath) and recall the correct short-form certificate wording for each act.
4Know the copy-certification rule: you may not certify copies of records available from a public custodian (birth/marriage/death certificates, deeds, wills, licenses).
5Study the prohibited acts: no legal or immigration advice, no self-interested notarizations, and no false or misleading advertising.
6Understand the electronic notarization differences: IPEN (in person), RON (fully remote, electronic), and RIN (remote but wet-ink paper mailed to the notary).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pass an exam to become a notary in West Virginia?

No. West Virginia does not require a written notary examination. You complete an application with the Secretary of State, attest that you meet the eligibility requirements and understand a notary's duties, and pay the $52 fee. This practice test simply helps you learn the West Virginia notary law you must apply on the job.

How long does a West Virginia notary commission last?

A West Virginia notary commission is valid for five years. Renewals are not automatic; you must file a new application with the Secretary of State, and renewals cannot be processed more than 60 days before your commission expires.

Does West Virginia require a notary surety bond?

No. West Virginia eliminated its surety bond requirement, so no bond is needed to be commissioned. Notaries may voluntarily purchase errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance to protect themselves against potential legal costs or damages.

How much can a West Virginia notary charge per notarization?

Under W. Va. Code 39-4-30, the maximum fee is $10.00 for each signature notarized, $10.00 per 8.5" x 11" page for certifying a retained copy, and $10.00 for any other notarial act. A notary may charge less but never more than these caps.

Can West Virginia notaries perform remote online notarizations (RON)?

Yes. West Virginia has authorized remote online notarization since June 2021. To perform RON, RIN, or in-person electronic notarizations, a notary must register as an electronic notary with the Secretary of State, identify the technology vendor, and keep audiovisual recordings of RON and RIN acts for at least five years.

Is a notary journal required in West Virginia?

No. West Virginia does not require a notary to keep a journal, but the Secretary of State's Handbook strongly advises maintaining a record book because it documents your personal knowledge of how each notarization was performed and protects you if a document is later disputed.