Immigration and Foreign Language — California Notary Public Practice Test

This California Notary Public Immigration and Foreign Language practice set has 20 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation.

Sample questions

Three questions from the Immigration and Foreign Language bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 20 questions at random from the same bank.

1. California law prohibits a notary public from translating the phrase “notary public” into Spanish as “notario publico” or “notario.” How does Government Code section 8219.5(c) define the “literal translation” that it prohibits?

   • The translation of a word or phrase from one language to another without regard to the true meaning of the word or phrase in the language being translated. — Correct answer
   • Any translation of a legal term performed by someone other than a certified court interpreter.
   • A translation that adds explanatory words that do not appear in the original English phrase.
   • A translation used in an advertisement that was not first approved in writing by the Secretary of State.

   Explanation: Section 8219.5(c) defines “literal translation” as translating a word or phrase from one language to another without regard to the true meaning of that word in the language being translated — which is exactly why “notario publico” is banned: in much of Latin America the word denotes a licensed legal professional. A common misconception is that posting the required bilingual notice makes the term acceptable; it does not, and the handbook states the term may not be used even if the prescribed notice is also posted. The prohibition is on the word itself, not on the manner of advertising.

   Handbook: Government Code §8219.5 — Literal Translation Prohibited

2. A notary public who is not an attorney was disciplined once for violating Government Code section 8219.5, which governs advertising notarial services in a language other than English and the prohibited Spanish translation of the phrase “notary public.” The same notary public violates that section a second time. What must the Secretary of State do?

   • Revoke the notary public's commission permanently. — Correct answer
   • Suspend the notary public's commission for a period of not less than one year.
   • Suspend the notary public's commission for 30 days and require the notary public to repeat the six-hour education course.
   • Revoke the commission, but allow the notary public to reapply once the four-year commission term would have ended.

   Explanation: On a second offense under section 8219.5, the commission is revoked permanently (§8219.5(d)), and the handbook says the same in its Illegal Advertising section. Suspension for a period of not less than one year — or revocation — is the penalty for a FIRST offense, so the two tiers are easy to reverse. The difference is one of kind, not just length: permanent revocation ends the commission for good rather than pausing it.

   Handbook: Illegal Advertising — Second Offense

3. A notary public who is not an attorney puts a large window sign outside the office advertising notarial services in Chinese. What does Government Code section 8219.5(a) require?

   • Post with that advertisement a notice, in English and in Chinese, containing the statement “I am not an attorney and, therefore, cannot give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matters” and the fees set by statute that a notary public may charge. — Correct answer
   • Post with the advertisement only the statutory schedule of fees in Chinese; the statement about not being an attorney is required only in English-language advertising.
   • Nothing, because the posting requirement applies only when the advertisement is a single desk plaque.
   • Obtain the Secretary of State's written approval of the Chinese wording before the sign may be displayed.

   Explanation: Section 8219.5(a) requires a non-attorney notary public who advertises notarial services in a language other than English to post with that advertisement, in English and in the other language, two things: the statutory statement that they are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matters, and the fees set by statute. The statute's only exception is a single desk plaque, which does NOT trigger the posting requirement — a point that is often remembered backwards. Posting the notice does not expand what a notary public may do; it discloses that legal advice is off limits.

   Handbook: Government Code §8219.5 — Advertising in a Language Other Than English