Notary Public Guide
Utah Notary Public Exam 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything you need to get your Utah Notary Public commission — from the online state exam to your surety bond, seal, and journal. Utah requires applicants to pass an online exam through the Lieutenant Governor's portal before a commission is issued. This guide covers eligibility, the exam, fees, and how to prepare for success. Ready to start practicing? Try FREE practice questions from our Utah sample tests.
Role of a Notary Public
A Utah Notary Public is a public official appointed by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office to serve as an impartial witness in performing official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. The notary program is administered entirely through the Lieutenant Governor's online portal at notary.utah.gov.
This is a statewide commission. Once appointed, you can perform notarial acts anywhere in Utah. Your core duties include verifying the identity of document signers, ensuring they are acting voluntarily, administering oaths and affirmations, and witnessing signatures on documents such as deeds, powers of attorney, and affidavits.
Utah law governing notaries is found in Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 — the Notaries Public Reform Act. Unlike many states, Utah requires applicants to pass an online knowledge exam before the commission is issued. There is no mandatory pre-education course, but you must study Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 and the official Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook to pass the exam.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Utah Notary Public commission, you must meet all of the following requirements under Utah Code §46-1-3:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Residency or Employment: You must lawfully reside in Utah or have your principal place of employment or business in Utah for at least 30 days before applying. Non-residents who work in Utah are eligible.
Citizenship / Immigration Status: You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
English Proficiency: You must be able to read, write, and understand English.
Good Character: You must be of good moral character. The Lieutenant Governor may deny a commission for certain criminal convictions or prior notary misconduct.
No Background Check: Utah does not require a formal criminal background check as part of the standard notary application process, though the Lieutenant Governor retains discretion to deny applications.
There is no requirement to complete a pre-licensing education course. However, because the state exam tests the Utah notary statutes directly, self-study using the official handbook is strongly recommended before attempting the exam.
Accessing the Online Exam
The Utah Notary Public exam is an online exam taken directly through the Lieutenant Governor's notary portal. There are no in-person testing centers — the entire process is self-administered online.
How to Access the Exam:
- Go to the official portal at notary.utah.gov and create an account or log in.
- Begin a new notary application. The exam is embedded within the application workflow — you must pay the $95 fee before accessing the exam questions.
- Complete the exam online. Upon passing, you will be directed to upload your Oath of Office and surety bond documentation through the same portal.
- The exam fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you pass or fail.
Because the exam is taken online at your own pace (within the application workflow), you can choose when to sit for it. There is no scheduling window or advance registration required. You simply log in, pay, and begin when you are ready.
What the Exam Covers
The Utah Notary Public exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions (worth 65 total points) drawn directly from Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 — the Notaries Public Reform Act — and the official Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook.
Notary Appointments & Qualifications: Eligibility requirements, the application process, grounds for denial or revocation of a commission.
Notarial Acts: Acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations, copy certifications, signature witnessing, and the distinctions between each act.
Identifying Signers: Acceptable forms of identification, credible witnesses, and the personal appearance requirement.
Journal & Seal: Seal specifications (purple ink, rectangular border, required elements), journal requirements for remote notaries, and record retention.
Fees: Maximum fees for in-person notarial acts ($10 per act) and remote online notarizations ($25 per act).
Prohibited Acts & Liability: Acts a notary is prohibited from performing, penalties for misconduct, and notary liability.
Remote Online Notarization (RON): Utah's RON framework, technology requirements, and the additional bond requirement for remote notaries.
The exam is law-specific. Questions are frequently phrased directly from statute language, so familiarity with the exact wording of Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 is critical. Download and study the official handbook thoroughly before taking the exam.
Exam & Application Fees
Utah combines the exam administration fee and the commission application fee into a single upfront payment made through the online portal before you take the exam.
Initial Application (Exam + Commission): $95
Covers the cost of taking the online exam and processing your commission application. This fee is non-refundable, even if you fail the exam.
Retake Fee: $40
If you fail the exam, you may retake it within 30 days of your first attempt for a $40 fee. Additional retakes also cost $40 each.
RON Application Fee: $50
Separate fee to apply for Remote Online Notary authorization after your standard commission is issued.
Additional startup costs to budget for:
Surety bond ($5,000): Typically $30–$50 for a 4-year bond from a licensed surety company. Required before the commission is issued.
Notary seal/stamp: Approximately $20–$40 for a compliant purple-ink rectangular stamp.
Notary journal: Approximately $10–$25 (recommended for all notaries; required for remote notaries).
Total estimated startup cost to become a Utah Notary Public is approximately $150–$200, making it one of the more affordable commissions in the country.
Exam Day: Taking the Online Exam
Because the Utah exam is taken entirely online through the Lieutenant Governor's portal, there is no travel involved and no in-person proctor. You take the exam on your own computer at a time of your choosing after paying the application fee.
Format
35 multiple-choice questions. Questions are drawn from Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 and the official Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook.
Time Limit
The exam is not strictly timed in the same way as a proctored exam — however, you should treat it as timed and complete it in one sitting. Do not leave the exam session mid-way.
Open Book?
The exam is self-administered online without live proctoring. You are expected to have studied the material thoroughly. Having the handbook open while testing is not a substitute for genuine preparation — the questions are specific enough that guessing or searching takes too long.
Results
Your score is reported immediately upon completion through the portal. If you pass, you proceed to the next step of uploading your bond and oath. If you fail, you will see your score and can pay the $40 retake fee to try again within 30 days.
Tip: Study the exam material thoroughly before paying the $95 fee and sitting for the exam. The fee is non-refundable and retakes cost an additional $40 each, so passing on the first attempt saves both time and money.
Passing Score
The Utah Notary Public exam uses a point-based scoring system. The exam consists of 35 questions worth 65 total points. You must earn at least 61 out of 65 points to pass — approximately an 80% passing threshold.
61 / 65
Minimum points required to pass (out of 65 total points).
The high passing threshold (approximately 80%) means you need to have a solid command of Utah notary law — not just a surface-level familiarity. This is a challenging bar, especially for applicants who only skim the handbook. Most of the questions are precise and test specific statutory details.
A good benchmark: if you can consistently score 90% or higher on our Utah practice tests, you are well-positioned to pass the official exam on the first attempt.
If You Pass
After passing the online exam, you will be directed within the portal to complete the remaining steps before your commission is formally issued:
Step 1 — Obtain a Surety Bond: Purchase a $5,000 surety bond from a licensed bonding or insurance company. The bond protects the public from financial losses caused by your errors or misconduct as a notary.
Step 2 — Take the Oath of Office: Sign and have your Oath of Office administered (typically done through the county clerk or a notary). This is a formal swearing-in step.
Step 3 — Upload Documents: Upload a copy of your notarial bond and completed Oath of Office through the Lieutenant Governor's portal. Ensure the documents contain no significant misstatements or omissions.
Step 4 — Commission Issued: Once your documents are reviewed and approved, the Lieutenant Governor's Office will issue your commission. Your commission start date and 4-year expiration date will be confirmed in the portal.
Once your commission is active, you can order your notary seal and begin performing notarial acts. Keep the portal login credentials safe — you will use the same account to renew your commission in four years.
If You Fail
Do not be discouraged — the Utah Notary exam has a high passing threshold (approximately 80%) and requires genuine familiarity with the statutes. Many applicants underestimate the specificity of the questions.
Retake Waiting Period
You may retake the exam within 30 days of your original test date. You are not required to wait a minimum number of days between attempts, but the 30-day window to use the $40 retake fee applies.
Retake Fee
Each retake costs $40. This fee is also non-refundable. If you do not retake within 30 days, you will need to start a new application and pay the full $95 fee again.
Study Plan for Retake
Review the specific areas where you lost points. Focus on Utah Code §46-1 statutory details — fees, timeframes, seal specifications, and prohibited acts are common trouble areas. Use our practice tests to drill those sections before retaking.
Use the time between attempts productively. Re-read the official Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, paying special attention to any section you found unfamiliar during the exam.
Notary Seal Requirements
Utah law requires all notaries public to use an official notary seal to authenticate every notarial act. The seal specifications are strictly defined in Utah Code §46-1-16.
Required Elements: The seal must contain: (1) the notary's name exactly as it appears on the commission, (2) the words "Notary Public," (3) the words "State of Utah," (4) the words "My Commission Expires on [expiration date]," and (5) the notary's commission number exactly as it appears on the commission.
Shape & Size: The seal must have a rectangular border no larger than 1 inch by 2½ inches surrounding all required text. Round or oval seals do not comply with Utah law.
Ink Color: The seal must use purple ink. This is a unique Utah requirement — do not order a seal with black or blue ink.
Impression Quality: The seal must make a sharp, legible, and photographically reproducible impression on paper.
Electronic Seal (RON): Remote notaries receive a unique electronic seal through their approved RON vendor. The electronic seal must include a timestamp or other method to digitally track when it was applied.
Order your seal only after your commission is issued, since the manufacturer needs your exact commission number and expiration date to produce a compliant stamp. Utah-specific notary stamps are available from most office supply and notary supply vendors online.
Notary Journal
Utah's journal requirements differ depending on whether you perform traditional in-person notarizations or remote online notarizations.
Traditional (In-Person) Notaries
Utah law does not strictly require traditional notaries to maintain a physical notarial journal under Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1. However, keeping a journal is strongly recommended by the Lieutenant Governor's Office and legal experts, as it is your primary defense in any dispute or legal proceeding to demonstrate you exercised reasonable care.
Remote Online Notaries (RON)
Utah law under UCA §46-1-13 requires all remote notaries to maintain a secure electronic journal. Each RON vendor will provide the tools needed to maintain this journal. The journal entry must include details of every remote notarial act performed.
Retention Period
Notarial records — whether physical or electronic — should be retained for a reasonable period after your commission expires. Best practice is to retain journal records for a minimum of 7 years.
Even for traditional notaries where a journal is not legally mandated, maintaining one creates a professional record and limits your personal liability. A sequential bound journal or digital log both serve this purpose effectively.
Notarial Acts
Under Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1, a commissioned Utah Notary Public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:
Acknowledgments: The signer appears before the notary, presents acceptable identification, and acknowledges that they signed the document voluntarily and for its stated purpose.
Jurats (Sworn Statements): The signer appears before the notary, signs the document in the notary's presence, and takes an oath or affirmation that the contents of the document are true.
Oaths and Affirmations: Administering a spoken oath or affirmation without a written document being signed. Common in depositions and official ceremonies.
Copy Certifications: Certifying that a photocopy of a document is a true and accurate copy of the original. Note: Notaries cannot certify copies of vital records (birth/death certificates) or other documents with a designated issuing authority.
Signature Witnessing: Witnessing the signing of a document and verifying the identity of the signer, without requiring an acknowledgment or jurat.
A notary may not perform a notarial act for a document in which they have a direct financial interest, or for a family member in certain circumstances. When in doubt, decline the act to avoid conflicts of interest.
Fees You Can Charge
Utah law establishes maximum fees a notary may charge for notarial acts under Utah Code §46-1-16. These are maximums — you may charge less or waive fees entirely.
| Notarial Act | Max Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10 per signature |
| Jurat | $10 per signature |
| Oath or Affirmation (no signature) | $10 per person |
| Copy Certification | $10 per page certified |
| Signature Witnessing | $10 per signature |
| Remote Online Notarization (any act) | $25 per act |
You may charge additional fees for travel time and expenses if agreed upon in advance with the signer. Document any travel fee agreements to avoid disputes.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Utah has a robust RON program and was one of the early states to formally authorize remote online notarization. Utah RON is governed by Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 and administered through the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
Eligibility for RON
You must already hold a valid Utah Notary Public commission before applying for RON authorization. RON is a separate endorsement on top of your standard commission.
RON Application Fee
$50 (paid through the notary.utah.gov portal).
Vendor Requirement
You must be hired by, contracted with, or work through an approved RON technology vendor. The vendor provides the audio-visual platform, identity verification tools, and electronic seal. You cannot perform RON sessions using your own software.
Bond Increase Required
Remote notaries must increase their notarial bond to $10,000 (up from the standard $5,000). You can obtain a rider to your existing bond or take out an additional $5,000 bond to supplement your original.
Electronic Journal
Remote notaries are required by law (UCA §46-1-13) to maintain a secure electronic journal of all remote notarial acts. Your RON vendor will typically provide integrated journaling tools.
Max Fee for RON
A remote notary may charge up to $25 per notarial act for remote online notarizations, compared to $10 per act for traditional in-person notarizations.
For more information on becoming a Utah remote notary, visit the official page at notary.utah.gov — RON Application Process.
Renewing Your Commission
A Utah Notary Public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. To continue serving as a notary after your commission expires, you must complete the full renewal process — including retaking the exam.
Exam: You must pass the online notary exam again. There is no waiver or shortened exam for renewing notaries — the same 35-question, 61-point passing standard applies.
Surety Bond: You must obtain a new $5,000 surety bond (or $10,000 if renewing RON authorization) and upload it through the portal.
Oath of Office: A new Oath of Office must be completed and uploaded for each renewal term.
Fee: The renewal application fee is the same $95 as the initial application (covers the exam and commission processing).
Begin the renewal process through the notary.utah.gov portal at least 30–60 days before your commission expires to avoid any gap in your commission. If your commission lapses, you cannot perform notarial acts until the new commission is issued.
Your seal and journal (if applicable) should also be updated when your new commission is issued — the expiration date and commission number on your seal must match your current commission.
Study Strategy
The Utah Notary exam requires approximately 80% to pass, which means you need a thorough command of the material — not just a general understanding. Most candidates benefit from 10–20 hours of focused preparation. Here is a proven approach:
1. Download the Official Handbook
Download and print the Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook from notary.utah.gov. Read it cover-to-cover at least twice. This is the primary source document for all exam questions.
2. Know the Fee Schedule
Memorize the maximum fee amounts: $10 per act for in-person notarizations and $25 per act for RON. The exam frequently tests these specific dollar amounts.
3. Learn the Seal Specifications
Know the exact required elements of the Utah seal: purple ink, rectangular border (max 1" x 2.5"), notary name, "Notary Public," "State of Utah," commission expiration, and commission number. These details appear on the exam.
4. Understand RON Requirements
Study Utah's RON framework — the bond increase to $10,000, the electronic journal requirement, the $50 application fee, and the vendor requirement. RON questions appear on the standard notary exam.
5. Study Prohibited Acts
Review what notaries cannot do — self-notarization, notarizing for family members with financial interest, practicing law, and other prohibited acts. These are common exam topics.
6. Take Practice Tests
Use our Utah Notary practice exams to simulate the real exam experience. Aim for 90%+ on practice tests before paying the $95 application fee.
Key areas to drill: identification of signers, the five types of notarial acts, seal requirements, journal requirements (especially for RON), maximum fees, and the surety bond amounts ($5,000 standard / $10,000 for RON).
Practice Tests
Because the Utah exam requires approximately 80% to pass and the fee is non-refundable, targeted practice is essential before attempting the official exam. Practice tests help you identify weak areas in your knowledge before they cost you $40 in retake fees.
Our Utah Notary Practice Exams: You can take unlimited Utah Notary practice questions right here. Our questions are based on Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 and the official Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, covering everything from seal requirements to RON rules and fee schedules.
What our practice tests cover:
- Types of notarial acts and their definitions
- Identification requirements for signers
- Seal specifications (purple ink, dimensions, required elements)
- Maximum fees for in-person and remote notarizations
- Surety bond requirements ($5,000 standard / $10,000 RON)
- Remote Online Notarization (RON) rules and requirements
- Journal requirements (especially for remote notaries)
- Prohibited acts and notary liability
- Commission term, renewal, and application process
Quick Reference
| Governing Agency | Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office |
| Official Portal | notary.utah.gov |
| Governing Law | Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Residency Requirement | UT resident OR principal place of business in UT |
| Pre-Education Course | Not required |
| Background Check | Not required (formal criminal check) |
| Exam Format | 35 multiple-choice questions (65 points) |
| Passing Score | 61 out of 65 points (~80%) |
| Exam Delivery | Online through notary.utah.gov portal |
| Application + Exam Fee | $95 (non-refundable) |
| Retake Fee | $40 (within 30 days) |
| Surety Bond | $5,000 required |
| RON Bond | $10,000 required (for RON authorization) |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Seal Required | Yes — purple ink, rectangular border, max 1" x 2.5" |
| Journal (In-Person) | Recommended but not legally required |
| Journal (RON) | Required — secure electronic journal |
| Max Fee (In-Person) | $10 per notarial act |
| Max Fee (RON) | $25 per notarial act |
| RON Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 4 years — exam required again |