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California residents can get a Notary by completing the following steps:

Brand sure you lot meet all of the requirements (see below).
Accept a 6-hour training course from a California country-canonical vendor.
Complete the CA Notary Public application form.
Pass a country-administered examination. Bring your photo ID, completed application, 2" ten 2" colour passport photo, Proof of Completion certificate for the course, registration confirmation letter and $40 fee to the testing site.
Submit the Request for LiveScan Service form with your fingerprints for your background cheque. The Department of Justice has a listing of Alive Scan locations.
Receive your committee document from the state in the mail service.
Get a $15,000 surety bond.
File your bond and adjuration of office with the county clerk within 30 days.
Buy your Notary periodical and Notary postage from a designated vendor.
Get Due east&O insurance (optional, just strongly recommended).

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In This Guide: California Notary Process | CA Notary Requirements | General Notary Public Information

More Details About the California Notary Procedure

Find more data almost applying for a CA Notary Public commission below.

How much does it cost to become a CA Notary?

It costs $40 for applicants to file an application and take the Notary exam in California. Additional costs vary depending on the vendor yous choose for the required training class, surety bond, live scan background check, passport photo, Notary supplies, and county clerk bond and adjuration of office filing fees.

The total toll of commissioning can differ depending on whether you are a new or renewing Notary besides. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, additional training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for about new Notaries.

How long does it take to become a Notary?

Later on you take the test, it can take anywhere from two weeks upward to vi months to receive your committee depending on the volume of applications currently being candy. Please note: The CA Secretary of State is currently processing applications received with an exam date ranging from x to 12 weeks ago. Exam results will become available no earlier than 15 business organization days later on the exam date. The California Secretary of Country's function publishes updates on their commission processing schedule.

How long does a California Notary commission last?

The term of a Notary Public commission is four years, afterward which you will need to renew your Notary commission.

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Requirements to exist a Notary in California

Learn how you can authorize to get a Notary in the Golden State below.

Who tin become a Notary?

To authorize for a California Notary Public appointment, applicants must encounter the following requirements:

Be at to the lowest degree eighteen years one-time
Exist a legal resident of the state of California
Not be bedevilled of a felony, a lesser criminal offense involving moral turpitude or a lesser offense incompatible with the duties of a Notary

Examples of moral turpitude include (but aren't limited to) crimes such as burglary, embezzlement, fraud, statutory rape or revenue enhancement evasion. A more detailed listing is available on pages 11-12 of the Secretary of State's 2012 Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines.

Y'all must also have your fingerprints scanned electronically at an authorized "Alive Scan" site as role of the background bank check. A list of Live Scan locations is available from the land Department of Justice.

Is preparation required to go a CA Notary?

Yes, you'll need to take a half-dozen-hour training course from a state-approved vendor the beginning time you apply for a California Notary commission. You'll too need to accept a three-hour refresher course each time you renew your commission if y'all renew before your electric current committee expires. The California Secretary of Land's office has a list of approved didactics providers.

Do I need to take a Notary exam in California?

Yes, all new and renewing applicants take to pass a written, proctored examination administered by a individual visitor called Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS). You lot must score lxx% or college to pass. Notary exam schedules, registration details and other testing information are available on the CPS website. Y'all can likewise contact them at (916) 263-3520 to request information about exam locations and registration.

What kind of notarial supplies are required?

Once commissioned, you will need to purchase an ink stamp and a well-bound periodical.

The Secretary of State will issue a certificate authorizing you to buy your seal from a state-canonical vendor. The seal shape must either be rectangular no larger than one" x 2.5" or circular no larger than 2" in bore. The following information must be displayed on the seal within a serrated or milled edged border:

Your proper name every bit information technology appears on your commission
The California land seal
The words "Notary Public"
The county in which your oath and bond are filed
Your committee expiration engagement
Your Notary commission number
The seal manufacturer identification number

You lot aren't immune to utilize a seal purchased from an unauthorized source like eBay or a stationery shop. Ask if the postage has a lifetime guarantee before you purchase it considering quality and immovability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after apply, as this tin can cause county officials to refuse documents due to smudging.

Every notarization you perform must exist recorded in a journal. This record not only provides important information if there's any question about a notarization yous performed but also provides important proof that you performed your duties properly if you are ever named in a lawsuit or accused of negligence.

What is a surety bond and why do I demand ane?

California law requires you to go a $fifteen,000 bond from a surety company authorized to practise business concern in the state. A surety bond is a promise to pay anyone harmed if you neglect to honestly, diligently and faithfully discharge your responsibilities as a Notary. Any damages paid from the bail go to cover a signer'south losses, and y'all must pay dorsum the surety visitor. The surety company may likewise require y'all to repay any costs the visitor incurs in defending the bond. A surety bail does not provide insurance coverage for y'all.

What is errors and omissions insurance?

If you want to insure yourself against possible legal costs or damages, you may consider purchasing a carve up errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. An Due east&O policy will cover yous for legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy. E&O policies generally also cover attorney costs in the event you are required to defend yourself in courtroom against a lawsuit.

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General Notary Public Data

Have more questions about being a Notary in California? We've got you covered.

Which state authorities office handles Notaries?

California Notary Administration is handled by the Function of the Secretary of Land, Business Programs Partition, Notary Public Section, located in Sacramento, CA. The rules governing Notaries Public can be found in the state's Notary Handbook.

May I become a California Notary if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yep. You practise not accept to be a U.S. citizen to go a California Notary Public. You must, however, exist a legal resident of the state and come across all other application requirements.

Can anyone assist me go a Notary?

There are many private organizations that offer Notary preparation courses, including the NNA. The Secretarial assistant of Land's office provides a searchable database of canonical education providers by canton. You tin can as well notice qualifications, registration and testing information forth with the state Notary Public Handbook and other resources on the Secretary of State website.

Where will I be able to notarize?

California Notaries are authorized to notarize documents anywhere inside the borders of the state.

Who can I notarize for?

You lot can notarize for any member of the public who makes a reasonable request and meets all requirements for notarization, such as personally appearing before y'all and providing satisfactory proof of identity.

Y'all're prohibited from notarizing documents in which you lot have a direct financial or benign interest. The police force allows you to notarize for relatives unless doing and so would provide a direct fiscal or beneficial interest to you.

You may enter into an agreement with your employer to have your employer pay for your commission and supplies. In exchange, the employer may limit your notarizations during business hours to transactions directly related to your employer's business purposes.

What fees tin can California Notaries accuse per notarial act?

California Notaries may charge up to $15 for most notarial acts. An additional fee for travel or other services may exist charged given that the signer is made enlightened of the actress fees in advance.

What should I practice if I movement or change my name?

Whatsoever address or name changes must exist reported to the Secretary of State. If yous motion your business organization, residence or mailing address, you accept xxx days to fill out the Notary Public Address Modify form or write a alphabetic character and mail it to the SOS by certified mail or whatever other ways of physical delivery that produces a receipt.

For name changes, you're required to submit a Notary Public Name Change class to the Secretary. The SOS will effect an amended commission at which signal you'll demand to file a new oath of office and bond subpoena with the clerk of the county in which your primary identify of business organisation is located within 30 days. Yous'll also need to get a new seal with your new proper noun.

What is the procedure to renew my commission as a California Notary?

The procedure to renew your California commission is the same as becoming a Notary for the first time, with 1 difference. If yous renew before your current commission expires, the training requirement drops from a six-hr to a three-hour grade. Notaries are by and large encouraged to brainstorm their renewal procedure half dozen months before their commission expires to avoid whatever gaps in their power to perform notarizations. If you renew early, y'all can receive your new committee no earlier than 30 days before your existing one expires.

What practice I need to know near remote online notarization in California?

California does not permit remote online notarization (RON). However, at that place are 39 states that have passed permanent remote online notarization laws. Check out this guide on what remote notarization is and what you need to know.

If you're not quite set up yet, nosotros take additional resources where you lot tin can learn what a Notary is, what they practise and why you lot should go a deputed Notary.

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Last updated: Sep 28, 2021

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