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Connecticut notary rules: commission, bond and qualifications

What the Connecticut Notary Public Manual says about commission, bond and qualifications, as 22 exam-style questions with the answer and the exact rule.

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1. Who must be notified by the Secretary of the State's Office if a notary's commission is suspended or revoked?The town clerk of each town in the state. The handbook states that the notification requirement upon suspension or revocation is directed to the town clerks of each town.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 24: “In the event that a notary's commission is either suspended or revoked, the town clerk of each town in the state will be notified by the Secretary of the State's Office.”
2. What is the term length for a notary public appointment in Connecticut?Five years. The handbook states that the appointment term is for a duration of five years.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 7: “Each notary public is appointed by the Secretary of the State for a term of five years, beginning on the date of appointment and ending in the anniversary month five years later.”
3. Which entity holds the authority to appoint a notary public in Connecticut?The Secretary of the State. The handbook states clearly that the appointment power is vested in the Secretary of the State by state law.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 5: “The notary public is a public official appointed by the Secretary of the State through the power vested in the secretary by state law.”
4. Which of the following is a correct requirement for a notary's signature on a notarial certificate?The signature must be the original signature of the notary signed exactly as the name appears on the notary’s certificate of appointment. The handbook mandates that the signature be original and match the name on the official certificate of appointment exactly.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 25: “In any circumstance when the notary signature is required, it must be the original signature of the notary signed exactly as the name appears on the notary’s certificate of appointment.”
5. What is the required timeframe for a Connecticut notary public to report a change of name or residence address to the Office of the Secretary of the State?Within 30 days. The handbook states that notaries must report name or address changes within thirty days.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 8: “All notaries appointed under Connecticut law who change either their name or residence address are required to report that change to the Office of the Secretary of the State within thirty (30) days.”
6. Under section 4.12, what is the required format for a notary's signature on documents?It must be the original signature signed exactly as the name appears on the notary's certificate of appointment. The rule mandates that the signature be original and match the name exactly as it appears on the official certificate of appointment.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 19: “it must always be the original signature of the notary signed exactly as the name appears on the notary's certificate of appointment.”
7. Which of the following is a valid basis for the Secretary of the State to deny a notary public application?The applicant's conviction of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude. The handbook lists conviction of a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude as a specific ground for denial.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 37: “The Secretary may deny an application based on: (1) The applicant's conviction of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;”
8. What is the status of a notary's commission if it remains unrenewed for more than 90 days after the expiration date?Inactive. The handbook distinguishes between the 'lapsed' status during the grace period and the 'inactive' status that applies after 90 days have passed.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 8: “After 90 days, the commission is considered inactive.”
9. When does the Secretary of the State send the application for renewal of appointment to a notary?Three months prior to the expiration date. The handbook states that the renewal application is sent three months before the current appointment expires.
   Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 7: “Three months prior to the expiration date of an appointment, an application for renewal of appointment as notary public will be emailed to each notary to his/her registered email address on record with the Secretary of the State's Office or mailed to the notary’s residential address if no email is on file.”
10. How must a Connecticut notary sign documents when their signature is required?With an original signature matching the name on their certificate of appointment. The rule mandates an original signature that matches the certificate of appointment exactly, prohibiting stamps or proxy signatures.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 19: “In any circumstance when a notary's signature is required, it must always be the original signature of the notary signed exactly as the name appears on the notary's certificate of appointment.”
11. If a Connecticut notary public changes their residence address to a different municipality, what action must they take within thirty days after the Secretary issues a replacement certificate of appointment?Record the replacement certificate with the town clerk of the municipality where the new address is located. The handbook mandates recording the replacement certificate with the town clerk of the new municipality within thirty days of issuance.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 40: “If the change of address is to a different municipality, the notary shall, within thirty days after issuance of a replacement certificate of appointment by the Secretary, record such certificate with the town clerk of the municipality in which the new address is located.”
12. Under Connecticut law, what is the primary requirement for a notary public to maintain their commission eligibility?The notary must reside or have a principal place of business within the state. The handbook states that maintaining a residence or principal place of business in Connecticut is required to continue as a notary.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 9: “All notaries must maintain either a residence or a principal place of business in this state to continue as a Connecticut notary public.”
13. What is the minimum age requirement for an individual to apply for appointment as a notary public in Connecticut?Eighteen years old. The handbook specifies that applicants must be eighteen years of age or older.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 6: “Any eighteen-year-old or older person who is a resident of Connecticut or who has his/her principal place of business in Connecticut, may apply to become a notary public in the state of Connecticut.”
14. What is the consequence if a Connecticut notary public fails to record a replacement certificate of appointment with the town clerk after a change of address or name?Any notarial act performed by the notary remains valid. The handbook states that failing to record the replacement certificate does not invalidate the notary's acts.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 40: “The failure of a notary to so record such replacement certificate shall not invalidate any notarial act performed by the notary.”
15. Which entity has the authority over notaries public in the State of Connecticut?The Office of the Secretary of the State. The handbook identifies the Secretary of the State as the appointing agent with authority over notaries.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 44: “As the appointing agent, the Secretary of the State has authority over notaries public in the State of Connecticut.”
16. What is the correct procedure for a Connecticut notary public regarding the title used to describe their office?Use the title 'Notary Public' without foreign language terms. The handbook instructs Connecticut notaries to avoid foreign language terms like 'notario publico' to prevent misleading clients about their authority.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 23: “Notaries public appointed by the State of Connecticut should never use a foreign language term to describe their office.”
17. Who is responsible for notifying all town clerks within the state after a notary's certificate of appointment is resigned, revoked, or suspended?The Secretary of the State. The handbook assigns the duty of notifying all town clerks specifically to the Secretary.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 40: “Within thirty days after the resignation, revocation or suspension of a notary's certificate of appointment, the Secretary shall notify all town clerks within the state, in such manner as the Secretary shall determine, of such resignation, revocation or suspension.”
18. What additional information must a notary public include on their certificate according to Section 1-35?The date their commission expires. Section 1-35 lists the expiration date of the commission as a required element for notaries public.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 32: “if he is a notary public, the date his commission expires.”
19. Under what condition is a notary disqualified from performing a notarial act?If the notary is a signatory of the document to be notarized. The handbook specifies that being a signatory disqualifies the notary, whereas merely witnessing does not.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 20: “A notary is disqualified from performing a notarial act if the notary is a signatory of the document to be notarized.”
20. Under what specific circumstance is a notary public disqualified from performing a notarial act?If the notary is a signatory of the document being notarized. The statute states that being a signatory of the document itself disqualifies the notary from performing the act.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 39: “A notary public is disqualified from performing a notarial act if the notary is a signatory of the document that is to be notarized.”
21. When must a notary public appointed under section 3-94e resign their commission upon terminating employment with the state police?Immediately, effective on the date of termination. The rule specifies that resignation must be immediate and effective on the exact date employment ends.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 39: “Upon terminating employment with the state police, a notary public appointed under this section shall immediately resign as a notary public, in writing. Such resignation shall be effective on the date of such termination of employment.”
22. If a person requires assistance in preparing legal documents or determining a course of action in a legal transaction, what should the notary advise them to do?Consult an attorney. The handbook instructs notaries to advise individuals needing legal preparation or advice to consult an attorney, as notaries lack the authority to do so themselves.
    Connecticut Notary Public Manual, page 5: “Any person who is in need of such assistance should be advised to consult an attorney.”

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