Forthwith upon entering upon the duties of the notary's office, the notary shall execute an official surety bond in the sum of $________.

• A. $500
• B. $1,000
• C. $5,000
• D. $10,000

Answer: (B)

A notary must secure an official surety bond when starting duties so there’s a financial guarantee that protects the public from misuses of notarial power. The bond amount is fixed by statute, setting the maximum amount recoverable if the notary commits acts covered by the bond. In this item, the specified sum is $1,000, meaning the bond provides protection up to that amount. The bond is issued by a surety and filed with the appropriate official (often the county clerk) before the notary can begin notarizing, and it remains in force for the term of the appointment. The key idea is that the bond exists to ensure accountability and compensate any party harmed by improper notarial acts.