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San Mateo County Notary Oath and Bond Filing
Filing your notary oath and bond in San Mateo 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 Mateo County
Office: County of San Mateo – Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder’s-Elections office
Address: 555 County Center, First Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 363-4500
Website: https://smcacre.gov/county-clerk-recorder/notary-public-oath-and-bond-filing
Filing Fees
- $42.00 total baseline fee (assuming a standard 1-page bond).
- $3.00 per page for each additional page of the bond after the first page.
Payment Options
Accepted:
- Cash.
- Check made payable exactly to San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder.
- Credit/Debit Card (Visa and MasterCard only).
Appointment Requirements
Appointments are not required in San Mateo County; however, appointments are available and highly recommended.
Notary filings are handled comfortably as a walk-in service. Office Transaction Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While the office is open until 5:00 PM, processing a notary registration involves a joint transaction across the Clerk indexing system and the Recorder’s electronic imaging queue. Applicants should pass through the first-floor security check by 4:15 PM at the absolute latest to guarantee counter processing.
You can schedule your appointment using the official county website below.
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 Mateo County also offers mail filing. The applicant must first take their oath of office before an active Notary Public physically located within San Mateo County.
Send a photocopy of the Secretary of State commission certificate, two completed copies of the Oath of Office (with the bottom “For Persons Filing by Mail” section fully completed, signed, and stamped by the local administering notary), the original signed $15,000 surety bond, a basic cover letter containing the student’s name, address, and telephone number, a preprinted check for the exact amount ($42.00 baseline), and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Mailing Address: San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, Attn: Special Services, 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063.
Always confirm current options with the county before mailing documents by calling them at Phone: (650) 363-4500.
Next Steps
Once your oath and bond are filed, you are officially authorized to begin working as a California notary public!