Before you begin, make sure you meet all California Notary Public eligibility requirements of a notary public. All these steps apply to both first time applicants and renewing notaries.
The state requires that all persons seeking appointment as a notary public must satisfactorily complete a Secretary of State approved six-hour course of study prior to appointment.
Current California notaries public with a valid notary public commission and who have completed an approved six-hour course of study at least once must satisfactorily complete an approved three-hour refresher course prior to reappointment.
The Notary Course Online courses above meet these requirements as we are an approved California state vendor.
Important: An approved three-hour refresher course is only acceptable if the notary public applies for reappointment before expiration of the current notary public commission. If the notary public commission expires before course completion and a completed application is received, the person must take another approved six-hour course before being reappointed as a notary public.
Complete the CA Notary Public application form online here.
Once the application is fully completed, print it and bring the physical copy with you to your in-person notary exam.
All applicants must register for the California Notary Public in-person state exam. Exams are held weekly at locations throughout the state. You may register for an exam in your local area or choose any upcoming test location that works best for your schedule.
Review the exam schedule and register online .
You can also check current application and commission processing times through the Secretary of State.
Walk-in registration is allowed on a space-available, “first-come, first-served” basis. Walk-in candidates will be admitted into the test center after all pre-registered applicants have been admitted. Walk-in registration is not guaranteed; please arrive early.
Applicants must take the 45 question state exam and pass with a score of 70% or greater. At the time of the exam you will need to pay a $40 exam and application fee, submit a 2″x2″ color passport photo, provide the completed notary application form and your certificate of completion. This is a comprehensive list of what to bring to the testing center.
Payment must be by check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of State (cash is not accepted at the exam site).
After passing the in-person notary public exam, applicants must complete a background check. The Department of Justice has a list of Live Scan locations where Live Scan fingerprinting services are available to the public.
You must bring the following to the Live Scan site:
Be sure to request a copy of your Request For Live Scan Service form and keep your copy until you receive your notary public commission. It is not necessary to mail a copy to the Secretary of State; the information will be transmitted electronically by DOJ.
The notary public commission packet will be mailed to you once the application has been approved and after the applicant has passed the background check.
This typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive after passing the exam.
Upon receiving your commission packet, you may purchase your notary supplies if you have not already done so. To manufacture your notary seal(s), we must receive the original Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals included in your commission packet. This document is required by California law and must be submitted in its original form.
Please mail the original certificate to us or drop it off it in person.
Notary Course Online
2219 West Olive Ave.
Suite# 100-08
Burbank, CA 91506
A California notary public must file an oath of office and bond with the county clerk’s office in the county where their principal place of business is located. This must be done within 30 calendar days from the commencement date of the commission. This 30 day period cannot be extended.
You may purchase your bond and optional (but highly recommended) E&O insurance here.
Congratulations!