Notary Public
California
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
6 hours
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
70%
$15,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedComplete a 6-hour notary education course from a state-approved provider
Register for and pass the written notary exam (minimum 70% score) administered by CPS
Submit a completed notary public application with a 2" x 2" color passport photo and $20 processing fee
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting for FBI and DOJ background check (approx. $125)
Wait for commission approval (results available no earlier than 15 business days after exam)
Upon approval, obtain a $15,000 surety bond from an authorized surety company
File the oath of office and bond with the county clerk within 30 calendar days of commission start date
Purchase a notary seal/stamp and journal
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a legal resident of California
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship not required; must be a legal California resident
Background Check
Live Scan fingerprinting required for FBI and DOJ background check. Must disclose all arrests with pending trials and all convictions, including those dismissed under Penal Code sections 1203.4 or 1203.4a. No disqualifying felony convictions or crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required6 hours
Must complete a 6-hour notary education course from a state-approved provider. Approved vendor list available at notaryeducation.sos.ca.gov.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredWritten, proctored exam administered by Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS). Must pass with a minimum score of 70%. Exam fee is $40, with $20 for retakes.
Passing score: 70%
Administered by: Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS)
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$15,000
Must file a $15,000 surety bond from a surety company authorized to do business in California. Bond and oath of office must be filed with the county clerk's office within 30 calendar days from commission start date. This 30-day period cannot be extended.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required by California law but is recommended for liability protection.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredRectangular (no larger than 1" x 2.5") or circular (no larger than 2" diameter) with serrated or milled-edge border. Must display: notary's name, California state seal, 'Notary Public' designation, filing county, commission expiration date, commission number, and manufacturer's sequential ID number.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $40 (includes $20 application processing fee + $20 exam fee) |
Bond Premium Premium cost for 4-year $15,000 surety bond; average around $38. Purchased from private surety companies. | $35-$55 |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; prices vary. | $30 |
Education Course Varies by provider; online courses tend to be cheaper. | $35-$200 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes application/exam ($40), training ($35-$200), Live Scan fingerprinting ($125), bond premium ($38), county filing fees ($15-$107), journal ($30-$55), stamp ($30). | $313-$595 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Must complete a new 6-hour education course, pass the exam again, obtain a new bond, re-file oath with county clerk, and submit renewal application. Same process as initial application.
Renewal Fee
$40 (same as initial application)
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
California notaries are NOT yet authorized to perform RON. Senate Bill 696 sets the framework for RON, slated to take effect on January 1, 2030. The Secretary of State may delay implementation if additional time is needed. Phase 1 (effective Jan 1, 2024) allows out-of-state RON notaries to notarize California real property documents. California-commissioned notaries will be authorized to perform RON on or about January 1, 2030.
Important Notes
What Makes California Unique
California is one of the last major states to not yet allow RON for its own commissioned notaries. SB 696 targets January 1, 2030 for RON implementation, with the Secretary of State retaining authority to delay further. Out-of-state RON notaries CAN notarize California real property documents since Jan 1, 2024.
California has one of the most rigorous notary application processes in the nation, including mandatory education, proctored exam, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
Effective January 1, 2025, notaries are authorized to notarize a certification by a disinterested custodian that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an accurate reproduction.
Non-compliance with child support obligations may result in temporary commissions that can be suspended or revoked.
Notary journal is mandatory - must record all notarial acts.
Maximum fee per notarial act is $15.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
application_fee
NNA reports total application/exam cost as $40. SOS website separates this into $20 application processing fee + $20 exam fee (paid at exam site). Both are correct - it depends on how fees are categorized.
Listed as $40 total with breakdown noted.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in California
California requires 6 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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