For the official misconduct or neglect of a notary public or breach of any of the conditions of the notary's official bond, the notary and the surety on the notary's official bond shall be __________ to the party injured thereby for all the damages sustained.

• A. liable
• B. not liable
• C. liable only for willful misconduct
• D. criminally liable only

Answer: (A)

The key idea is civil liability under the notary bond. When a notary commits official misconduct or neglect, or breaches a bond condition, the obligation to compensate the injured party is not limited to slight faults or to criminal penalties—it’s a broad civil duty to pay for all damages caused. The notary and the surety on the bond are both responsible, since the bond guarantees repayment to the public for losses resulting from the notary’s wrongdoing. So the correct understanding is that they are liable to the party injured for all damages sustained.