Notary study guide: the official books and what to learn
The most reliable notary study guide is the official book your state publishes: in California the Notary Public Handbook (2026 edition), in New York the Notary Public License Law booklet, which the Department of State names as the basis of its exam. Both exams are closed book, so you need to know the rules, not just where to find them.
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The official notary hand book in California
If you are looking for a notary hand book, California’s Secretary of State publishes the Notary Public Handbook, currently the January 2026 edition, as a free PDF. It collects the laws on qualifications, the commission, identifying signers, certificates, fees, the journal and misconduct, which is the material the exam draws on.
The California exam has 45 items in one hour and is closed book, administered by proctors. Use the handbook as your notary public exam study guide, but practise recalling the rules without it.
Source: CPS HR Consulting — California notary exam information. Checked 19 October 2026.
New York notary exam study guide: the Notary Public License Law book
For New York, the notary public license law book is the study guide. The Department of State says its exam follows the content of the Notary Public License Law booklet from its Division of Licensing Services. The current edition is dated September 2026.
If you want an NYS notary study guide PDF, the Department of State has published earlier editions of the booklet as a PDF (for example January 2023); check that you are studying the current edition, because the rules on electronic notarization and records have changed. Books and other reference materials are not allowed at the exam center.
Source: New York Department of State — Notary exam instructions and schedule, Nov–Dec 2026. Checked 19 October 2026.
Notary log book: California’s sequential journal
What people call a notary log book, notary journal book or notary record book is, in California law, the sequential journal. A notary must keep one active sequential journal at a time of all acts performed. It must be kept in a locked and secured area, such as a lock box or locked desk drawer, under the notary’s direct and exclusive control.
Here is a notary book example of the entries the California handbook requires for each act:
- Date, time and type of each official act (for example acknowledgment or jurat)
- Character of the instrument sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged or proved
- Signature of each person whose signature is notarized
- How identity was established (satisfactory evidence) and the ID details
- The fee charged for the notarial service
- For real property and power of attorney documents: the signer’s right thumbprint
Source: California Secretary of State — Notary Public Handbook (January 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.
Notary register book and records in New York
New York’s rule is written differently. The regulation (19 NYCRR 182.9) does not use the word journal, but every notary must maintain records of each notarial act, made at the time of the act: date, approximate time and type of act, names and addresses of the people served, number and type of services, the type of ID used and the verification procedure.
Whether you call it a notary register book or digital records, New York requires that the records be kept for at least ten years and be capable of being produced to the Secretary of State. Third-party storage is allowed if secured, for example by a password.
Source: New York Department of State — Notary Public License Law (September 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.
What to study for the notary exam
Whichever notary study guide you use, cover the topics that turn into exam questions: qualifications and the commission, identifying signers, the acknowledgment and the jurat, certificates and wording, journal or records, maximum fees, and prohibited acts.
Prohibited acts are a favorite topic. New York’s booklet says a notary may not give advice on the law and cautions notaries not to take an acknowledgment of the execution of a will; California’s handbook says notaries may not do anything that could be construed as the practice of law.
Source: New York Department of State — Notary Public License Law (September 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.
From the notary book to practice questions
Reading the notary book is the first step; answering exam-style questions without it is the test. Certsqill’s notary question bank has expert-developed questions, an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per exam area.
Notary study guide: questions people ask
What is the best notary study guide?
Your state’s official publication: the California Notary Public Handbook (January 2026) or New York’s Notary Public License Law booklet (September 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.
Is there an NYS notary study guide PDF?
The Department of State publishes the Notary Public License Law booklet; earlier editions are available as a PDF. Study the current September 2026 edition.
What is the study guide for the NYS notary exam based on?
The exam follows the Notary Public License Law booklet from the Division of Licensing Services. Source: NY DOS exam instructions, checked 19 October 2026.
Do California notaries need a journal?
Yes. One active sequential journal at a time, kept in a locked and secured area under the notary’s exclusive control. Source: CA handbook, checked 19 October 2026.
How long must New York notaries keep their records?
At least ten years. Source: 19 NYCRR 182.9 in the Notary Public License Law booklet, checked 19 October 2026.
Can I bring the handbook to the notary exam?
No. California’s exam is closed book, and New York does not allow books or reference materials at the exam center. Checked 19 October 2026.
