1.1 Qualifications and Notarial Acts
Key Takeaways
- Must be 18 and Oregon resident or employed in Oregon
- No felony or fraud-related convictions in past 10 years
- No commission revocation in past 10 years
- Personal appearance required for notarial acts
- Journal keeping is required
Qualifications
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years old |
| Residency | Oregon resident OR employed in Oregon |
| Criminal History | No felony/fraud convictions in 10 years |
| Prior Commission | No revocation in 10 years |
| Training | Complete approved training within 6 months |
Notarial Acts
Oregon notaries may perform:
- Acknowledgments
- Oaths and affirmations
- Verifications on oath
- Signature witnessing
- Copy certifications (with limits)
Journal Requirements
Oregon requires journal keeping:
- Record each notarial act
- Include date, type, signer information
- Retain per state requirements
Prohibited Acts
| Prohibited | Reason |
|---|---|
| Self-notarization | Conflict of interest |
| Financial interest | Bias |
| Legal advice | Unauthorized practice of law |
| Without proper ID | Identity verification required |
On the Exam
- 10-year rule: No felony/fraud or revocation
- Journal: Required in Oregon
- Training validity: 6 months to complete exam
Exam Focus
For Qualifications and Notarial Acts, tie every act to identity, willingness, awareness, certificate wording, and recordkeeping. Notary exam questions often describe a signer, document, and request, then ask whether the notary may proceed. Check whether the signer personally appears, presents acceptable identification or credible witness proof, understands the transaction, and signs voluntarily. Also watch for the difference between acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, oaths, and affirmations. The safest answer is usually the one that refuses shortcuts and preserves an accurate journal and certificate.
How far back does Oregon look for disqualifying criminal convictions?
What are the residency requirements to become an Oregon notary?
How long is the training certificate valid before taking the exam?