24th March, 2023
Becoming a notary public can be a lucrative and rewarding career choice with many benefits. However, each state in the United States has its specific requirements and regulations for becoming a notary. If you want to become a notary public in California or in one of the other US states, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences between the requirements, costs, examination, commission validity, and potential income in each state.
In this article, we’ll compare the process of becoming a notary public in California vs. other US states including Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and Nevada. We’ll take look at the requirements for becoming a notary in each state. You’ll learn which notary public course you need to take, and how to prepare for the state notary exam. Besides, we’ll compare the costs of becoming a notary in each state: how much you must pay for the notary courses, application, examination, and activating your notary public commission. Our guide will help you to decide whether becoming a notary public in California is the right choice for you.
Exactly how much does a notary public make will depend on how long you’ve been working in the field, how many clients you regularly work with and what amount you charge. Your income will likely go up as you acquire more experience and better reputation.
The answer to how much do notaries public make in California falls between $43,214 and $56,267 per year as of December 2022, according to Salary.com. As a rule, notaries in California can charge $15 per notarial act.
In Florida, Arizona, Michigan, and some other states, notaries can charge only $10. In other states, there is no maximum notary fee set by law, so local competition sets the mid-market price.
Ultimately, how much do notaries make will depend on their working activity and market demand in a specific state.
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a legal resident of California
• Complete a state-approved notary education course (6 hours) within the last 6 months
• Pass a state-administered exam
• Pass a background check
• Obtain a $15,000 surety bond
• Submit an application and pay the required fees
The 6-hour notary course is required for new notary applicants, no matter how many approved notary commission terms they had before. The online class covers the basics of the notary public practice, including the duties and responsibilities of a notary, as well as rules and regulations.
The 3-hour refresher notary course is required for all notaries public who apply for commission renewal before their current one has expired. Only previously commissioned notaries public are allowed to take the 3-hour course. During the 3-hour online class, notaries public get updated on all actual changes to legislation acts, notary rules, and regulations that occurred since their last commission was issued.
Must be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident of Oregon, complete a state-approved notary education course (6 hours), pass a state-administered exam, and pass a background check. Oregon does not require its notaries public to be bonded.
Must be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident of Nevada, complete a state-approved notary education course (3 hours), pass a state-administered exam, pass a background check, and obtain a $10,000 surety bond.
Must be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident of Arizona, complete a state-approved notary education course (3 hours), pass a state-administered exam, pass a background check, and obtain a $5,000 surety bond.
Must be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident of Utah, complete a state-approved notary education course (3 hours), pass a state-administered exam, pass a background check, and obtain a $5,000 surety bond.
The process of becoming a notary public typically takes between 6-8 weeks. This includes all the processes from submitting the application, completing the required education course, passing the state notary exam, to receiving the commission certificate.
Oregon: The process takes 4-6 weeks
Nevada: The process takes 4-6 weeks
Arizona: The process takes 4-6 weeks
Utah: The process takes 4-6 weeks
To become a notary public in California you’ll need to pay $40 for the application fee, $40 for the exam fee, and up to $80 for the required notary public education course. The total cost, therefore, could be up to $160, depending on the cost of the education course. The cost of an online notary course in California starts from as low as 24.99 $, and live seminars range from $100 to $200. Read more about how to choose a state-approved notary class for you.
The cost for becoming a notary in Arizona is around $120, in Utah is around $100, in Oregon is around $90, while the cost for becoming a notary in Washington is around $130. The costs include both application and exam fees.
A notary public commission is valid for four years from the date of issuance. However, you have to keep in mind taking a 3 hour refresher notary course to prepare for the California notary public re-commissioning exam.
Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah have the same rules. Notary public commission is valid for four years from the date of issuance.
Without a doubt, becoming a notary public in California is a great way to make more money. It also offers numerous other benefits such as social connections, expanding your professional skills, and providing a valuable service to your community. These are some advantages of becoming a CA notary:
California notaries have one of the highest commission fees in the country, currently set at $15 per notarization. Moreover, California notaries are allowed to charge their clients for certain travel fees and other related expenses.
With a population of over 39 million people, California has a significant need for notary services, especially in major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. This means that there may be more opportunities for California notaries to find work, build a client base, and develop their business.
California is known for its diverse population, and this can be an advantage for notaries who are bilingual or multilingual. By communicating with clients in various languages, California notaries are enabled to serve a wider range of clients and expand their customer base.
In California, notary public commissions are valid for four years, which is longer than the commission terms in some other states. This means that California notaries may have more stability and continuity in their work, as they do not have to renew their commission too often.
How will the Secure Notarization Act enable nationwide Remote Online Notarization and what does it mean to notaries public from all US states?
How to renew your notary public commission in just 5 steps? Notary Course Online presents an easy guide to California notary public renewal.
How to choose a state-approved notary class that is right for you? Read our guide to learn about online notary classes available in California.
Congratulations!