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San Francisco County Notary Oath and Bond Filing
Filing your notary oath and bond in San Francisco County is a required step after receiving your California notary commission. This guide covers exactly where to go, what to bring, the filing fees, and how to schedule your appointment. If you don’t have your notary bond yet, you can purchase one here.
Where to File in San Francisco County
Office: San Francisco Office of the County Clerk
Address: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 168, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-4950
Website: https://www.sf.gov/departments–city-administrator–office-county-clerk
Filing Fees
- $74.00 total baseline fee (assuming a standard 1-page bond) ($56.00 County Clerk notary public oath filing fee + an $18.00 Recorder fee for the first page of the physical bond).
- $3.00 per page for each additional page of the bond after the first page.
Payment Options
Accepted:
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- In-person Payments: Cash, checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, all major debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express), Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks made payable to SF County Clerk.
- Mailed Payments: Checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks. Make payable to SF County Clerk.
Not accepted:
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- They do not accept foreign checks for neither in-person, nor mailed payments.
Appointment Requirements
Appointments are not required in San Francisco County.
Building Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Strict 2:00 PM Professional Registration Cutoff: While the physical office is open later, San Francisco handles all professional registrations (including notary public oath and bond filings) strictly between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Walk-in applicants who arrive after 2:00 PM will be turned away for the day.
What to Bring
- Original notary commission certificate
- $15,000 notary bond
- Two unsigned oath of office forms
- Valid photo ID
- Payment for filing fees
Important Tips
- You must file within 30 calendar days of your commission start date
- Arrive early for your appointment
- Double-check your bond for accuracy before filing
Mail Filing Option
San Francisco County also offers mail filing. The applicant must first take their oath of office before an active Notary Public physically located within the City and County of San Francisco.
Mailing Process: Send a photocopy of the Secretary of State commission certificate, the original $15,000 surety bond (which must bear the student’s original wet signature), two copies of the Oath of Office (fully executed by the local administering notary), a cover letter containing the student’s name, address, and phone number, and a check or money order for the exact amount ($74.00 baseline).
Mailing Address: San Francisco County Clerk, San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 168, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Always confirm current options with the county before mailing documents by calling them at Phone: (415) 554-4950.
Next Steps
Once your oath and bond are filed, you are officially authorized to begin working as a California notary public!