Becoming a California notary public is a defined, six-step process set out in the Government Code. None of it is discretionary, and the order matters — miss the 30-day filing deadline at the end and your commission is void even though you passed everything.
Who can become a notary in California
Government Code §8201 sets five requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident of California, complete an approved course of study, pass the written examination, and clear a background check.
Two points surprise people. You do not need to be a United States citizen — legal California residency is what the statute asks for, so lawful permanent residents may qualify. And there is no education or experience prerequisite: no degree, no legal background, no clerical history.
Step 1 — Complete the required course
First-time applicants must complete a six-hour course from an education vendor approved by the Secretary of State GC §8201(a)(3). The course must cover notary law, procedures and ethics.
If you already hold an active commission and are renewing before it expires, a three-hour refresher is sufficient. If your commission has already lapsed, you return to the six-hour course regardless of how long you held it previously.
Step 2 — Pass the written examination
The examination is administered by the Secretary of State or its designee. You take it after completing the course, and you must present your proof of completion certificate to sit for it.
Examination results are valid for one year. That window matters if you are renewing: apply too early and your results expire before the new commission issues; too late and you get a gap in your commission. The practical advice is to begin the renewal process roughly six months before your current commission expires.
Step 3 — Submit fingerprints for the background check
Fingerprints go to both the California Department of Justice and the FBI GC §8201.1. This is done through Live Scan, and it is the step most likely to add unpredictable time to your timeline.
Step 4 — Receive your commission from the Secretary of State
Once the application, exam results and background check clear, the Secretary of State issues your commission. The term is four years GC §8204.
Step 5 — File your $15,000 bond and oath of office
You must obtain a $15,000 surety bond executed by an admitted surety insurer GC §8212, then file that bond together with your oath of office with the county clerk in the county of your principal place of business GC §8213.
This must be done within 30 calendar days of the date your commission term begins. Miss it and the commission is void. There is no extension and no cure — you start the entire process again.
A common misunderstanding: the bond does not protect you. It protects the public. If a claim is paid out against your bond, the surety can pursue you personally for the full amount.
Step 6 — Obtain your official seal
You cannot perform a notarial act without your seal, because GC §8207 requires you to authenticate every official act with it. The seal must be purchased from a vendor holding a Secretary of State permit — buying from an unauthorised manufacturer violates GC §8207.2 even if the seal itself looks correct.
You will also need a sequential journal before your first notarisation GC §8206.
How long does the whole process take?
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Six-hour course | One day — same day if taken online |
| Examination and results | Several weeks |
| Live Scan background check | Highly variable — weeks to months |
| Commission issuance | After all of the above clears |
| Bond and oath filing | Must be within 30 days of the term start |
The background check is the unpredictable element. Everything else is reasonably firm.
After you are commissioned
Three ongoing obligations catch new notaries out. You must notify the Secretary of State in writing within 30 days of any change to your business or residence address GC §8213.5 — failure is an infraction carrying a fine of up to $500. Your journal and seal must stay under your direct and exclusive control, and neither may be surrendered to an employer. And when your commission ends, you deliver all journals to the county clerk and destroy the seal GC §8209.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to become a California notary?
No. Government Code §8201 requires that you be a legal resident of California, not a citizen. Lawful permanent residents may qualify.
How long is a California notary commission valid?
Four years from the date specified in the commission, under Government Code §8204.
How much is the California notary bond?
$15,000, and it must be executed by an admitted surety insurer under Government Code §8212. The bond protects the public, not the notary — if a claim is paid, the surety may seek reimbursement from you personally.
What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline to file my oath and bond?
The commission is void. Government Code §8213 gives 30 calendar days from the start of the commission term, with no extension. You would need to begin the application process again.
Can I become a notary in California if I have a criminal conviction?
Possibly. A conviction is not automatically disqualifying, but all convictions must be disclosed with no time limit, including those dismissed, expunged or pardoned. Felonies and crimes involving moral turpitude are grounds for denial under Government Code §8214.1.
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See the coursesPlease note. This article is educational information about California notary law, not legal advice. Statutes change and individual situations differ. The controlling authority is the California Government Code, Civil Code and the Secretary of State’s Notary Public Handbook. For advice about your own circumstances, consult an attorney.