Getting started
Wondering if you qualify and how to apply? Here is exactly who can become a California notary and what the process involves.
Do you qualify?
The requirements are simple. To be appointed a notary public in California you must:
- 18
- Minimum age
- $15,000
- Surety bond required
- $500
- Typical all-in budget
- 4
- Year commission term
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a legal California resident
- Complete a Secretary of State-approved course
- Pass the written state exam
- Clear a Live Scan background check
The application checklist
Complete the 6-hour approved education, register for and pass the in-person exam, submit fingerprints via Live Scan, await your commission packet, purchase your notary materials, then file your oath and bond with your county clerk.
Six steps, in this order
Residency
You may have multiple residences, but your primary residence, the one you file taxes from, must be in California. Military personnel are the exception; check with the Secretary of State.
Primary residence must be in California
The surety bond
California requires every notary to file a $15,000 surety bond, which protects the public from errors or misconduct. The bond is not insurance for you; it covers the people you serve.
$15,000 bond, roughly $100 to $150 to buy
Fees and supplies to expect
Plan for the 6-hour course, the state exam, the bond, the Live Scan background check, a 2x2 passport photo, and supplies: seal, journal, and thumbprint pad.
Most applicants budget around $500
The Secretary of State makes all appointments. Contact them directly with technical or eligibility questions.
How old must I be to become a California notary?
You must be 18. You can begin the process before your 18th birthday, but you cannot be fully commissioned until after it.
Can I have a criminal record and still become a notary?
You must disclose all arrests pending trial and all convictions, including dismissed ones. The Secretary of State reviews each case. Failing to disclose is grounds for denial. Contact the Secretary of State with specific questions before signing.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen?
No. You do not have to be a citizen, but you must be in the country legally and maintain a primary residence in California.
What will the whole process cost?
Budget around $500 total: the 6-hour course, the state exam, a $15,000 bond, the Live Scan background check, a 2x2 passport photo, and your notary supplies.
Start our state-approved class today, at your own pace. You can't fail it, your Proof of Completion is included, and we'll be here for every step after.
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Not sure where to start?Follow our free 7-step guide