Become a Notary Public in California: A Complete Guide

Published March 11, 2023 · Updated May 21, 2026

Key Takeaways

California requires notaries to be 18+, a legal state resident, and pass a background check
You must complete a 6-hour state-approved training course (3-hour refresher for renewals)
Pass a closed-book, proctored exam administered by CPS HR Consulting
File a $15,000 surety bond and take your oath at the county clerk within 30 days
Total cost to become a California notary: approximately $250–$500 depending on your course and supplies
Commission term is 4 years

Becoming a notary public in California involves more steps than most states, but the process is straightforward once you understand what’s required. This guide covers every requirement, the full application process, costs, and what happens after you’re commissioned.

Who Can Become a Notary in California

To qualify as a California notary public, you must:

Be at least 18 years old (no maximum age)
Be a legal California resident
Be able to read and write English
Pass a background check (live scan fingerprints)

What Can Disqualify You

The Secretary of State will deny your application if you:

Fail to disclose any arrest or conviction on your application
Have a felony conviction where fewer than 10 years have passed since probation was completed
Have a disqualifying misdemeanor conviction where fewer than 5 years have passed since probation was completed
Are non-compliant with child or family support orders
Have a conviction that warrants denial based on the nature and severity of the offense

Common disqualifying convictions include forgery, fraud, embezzlement, assault, and drug possession for sale. Even convictions dismissed under Penal Code § 1203.4 must be disclosed. (Government Code § 8201.)

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete Approved Training

New notaries must complete a 6-hour course approved by the California Secretary of State. Renewing notaries with an active, non-expired commission can take a 3-hour refresher instead. The course covers California notary law, proper procedures, and what you can and cannot do as a notary.

We recommend taking the California notary course from CalNotaryClass: it’s state-approved and includes exam preparation.

Step 2: Register for and Pass the Notary Exam

The California notary exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice test administered by CPS HR Consulting at locations across the state. You need a 70% to pass. You’ll submit your completed application, proof of course completion, a 2″x2″ passport photo, and the $40 fee (check or money order) at the exam site.

Step 3: Submit Live Scan Fingerprints

After passing the exam, the state will send you instructions for live scan fingerprinting. There are locations throughout California. Cost is typically $25–$50 for the fingerprinting plus a $49 DOJ/FBI processing fee.

Step 4: Wait for Your Commission Packet

Processing takes 2 to 8 weeks depending on the state’s backlog and whether anything comes up on your background check. If approved, you’ll receive your commission packet in the mail. If denied, they’ll tell you why.

You are not a notary yet. Don’t notarize anything until you complete the remaining steps.

Step 5: Buy Your Notary Supplies

Once commissioned, you need:

A notary stamp: must be purchased from an authorized manufacturer using the certificate in your commission packet ($15–$25)
A notary journal: required for recording every notarial act ($10–$50)

Step 6: File Your Oath and Bond at the County Clerk

You must file your notary public oath of office and a $15,000 surety bond at your county clerk’s office. The bond costs about $35–$50 and can be purchased from surety companies online. Some counties charge an additional filing fee ($15–$30).

Do this within 30 calendar days of the date on your commission certificate, or your commission is void and you’ll have to start over.

How Much Does It Cost?

Here’s what you can expect to spend:

Item	Cost
Training course (6-hour)	$35–$150
Application and exam fee	$40
Passport photo	$10–$15
Live scan fingerprints + DOJ/FBI	$74–$99
Surety bond ($15,000)	$35–$50
Notary stamp	$15–$25
Notary journal	$10–$50
County filing fee	$0–$30
Total	$219–$459

Do You Need a Surety Bond?

Yes. California requires all notaries to maintain a $15,000 surety bond for the duration of their 4-year commission. The bond protects the public from losses caused by notary errors or misconduct. It doesn’t protect the notary personally.

For personal protection, consider purchasing errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The state doesn’t require it, but it covers legal fees and damages if you’re sued for a notarial mistake. E&O policies for notaries typically run $25–$75 per year.

Exam Tips

The exam is multiple choice and covers California notary law, procedures, and ethics. The pass rate is 70%. Most people who prepare with a state-approved course pass on the first attempt. The 2026 California Notary Public Handbook from the Secretary of State is the official reference: read it before the exam.

Renewal

California notary commissions last 4 years. The renewal process is the same as the initial application, with one exception: if you take the 3-hour refresher course and pass the exam before your current commission expires, you can skip the full 6-hour course. Start the renewal process at least 6 months before your commission expires to avoid a gap.

Becoming a Signing Agent in California

Being commissioned as a notary is the first step. If you want to work as a notary signing agent (handling loan document signings), you’ll also need:

A signing agent training course that teaches loan document fundamentals and signing procedures
A background screening (most title companies require one through the NNA or similar)
E&O insurance that specifically covers signing agent work
A dual-tray laser printer for printing loan packages (legal and letter size paper)

See our guide to becoming a signing agent for more details on this career path.

How Much Can California Notaries Charge?

California sets maximum fees notaries can charge per notarial act:

Acknowledgments: $15 per signature
Jurats: $15 per signature
Oaths and affirmations: $15 per person
Certified copies of journal entries: 30 cents per page
Proof of execution by subscriber: $15 per signature

These are maximums. You can charge less or nothing at all. If you charge a fee, you must display a fee schedule or provide one upon request. You may also charge a travel fee for mobile notary services, but the signer must agree to it in advance.

Notarial Acts You Can Perform

California notaries can perform these notarial acts:

Acknowledgments: verifying the signer appeared before you and acknowledged signing voluntarily
Jurats: administering an oath and witnessing the signer sign in your presence
Oaths and affirmations: swearing in a signer for verbal statements
Certified copies of journal entries: providing copies of specific journal records when requested
Proof of execution by subscriber: witnessing a person sign on behalf of another (rarely used)

California notaries cannot certify copies of documents: only copies of their own journal entries. For document copies, the signer must make a copy and sign a sworn statement (copy certification by document custodian).

Can You Notarize for Family Members in California?

California law does not specifically prohibit notarizing for family members. However, the same conflict-of-interest rules apply: you cannot notarize any document in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest. This means:

You cannot notarize your own signature under any circumstances
You cannot notarize a document in which you are named or from which you stand to benefit financially
Notarizing for a spouse is risky if the document involves shared financial interests (mortgages, property transfers, etc.)
Notarizing for parents, siblings, or adult children is permissible if you have no financial interest in the transaction

Best practice: when in doubt, refer family members to another notary.

Penalties for Notary Misconduct in California

California has some of the strictest notary enforcement in the country:

Practicing without a commission: misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and fines
Charging more than the legal maximum: commission revocation and potential criminal charges
Notarizing without the signer present: commission suspension or revocation
Falsifying a notarization: felony charges, up to 4 years in prison
Failure to keep a proper journal: commission revocation; a journal is legally required in California
Civil liability, the $15,000 surety bond protects the public, and you can be held personally liable for damages exceeding the bond amount

Employer Obligations

California law is clear on the relationship between notaries and their employers:

Your notary commission is personal and cannot be controlled by your employer
An employer may not require you to notarize a document without following proper procedures
If you leave your job, your notary stamp, journal, and commission belong to you, the employer must return all supplies
The employer is not liable for your notarial acts unless they directed you to commit misconduct
Your employer may not limit your notarization services to company business only during work hours

How California Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	California	Nevada	Arizona	Oregon
Bond	$15,000	$10,000	$5,000	None
Exam	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Training	6 hours	Yes	Yes	Yes
Term	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years
Max Fee	$15	$15	$10	$10
Journal	Required	Required	Required	Required
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

California has the highest training requirement (6 hours) and ties Nevada for the highest fee cap ($15) among its neighbors. Oregon has no bond requirement, making it cheaper to enter. Arizona’s $5,000 bond is the lowest in the region. All four states now permit remote online notarization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a notary in California?

Plan on 6 to 12 weeks from starting your training to receiving your commission. The exam and fingerprinting happen within a few weeks, but the state’s background check processing adds the most time.

Can I take the exam before finishing my training?

No. You must complete the state-approved training course first and bring your proof of completion to the exam.

Is the California notary exam hard?

It’s not designed to trick you. If you’ve completed a state-approved course and read the Notary Public Handbook, you should pass. The exam tests practical knowledge of notary law and procedures. Most prepared candidates pass on the first attempt.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?

No. You need to be a legal California resident, but U.S. citizenship is not required.

What happens if I don’t file my oath and bond within 30 days?

Your commission becomes void. You’ll have to start the entire process over, including retaking the exam and paying all fees again.

How to Become a Notary in California (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Who Can Become a Notary in California

What Can Disqualify You