Got your commission package in the mail? Now you need to act pretty fast.  

In order to officially start working as a California Notary Public, it’s required to file your oath and bond with the County Clerk in the county where you maintain a principal place of business, as shown in the application you filed with the Secretary of State. Once the commission has been issued by the California Secretary of State, the clock is really ticking. A person has 30 calendar days from the beginning of the term prescribed in the commission to complete this crucial step. The date you are looking for is on the commission certificate, right under the commission number and states “term commencing”. If you have not yet received your commission packet and it’s been more than six weeks since you took your written notarial exam, you can see if your commission information is available on the Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/notary-public-listing. This zip text file lists notaries public in California alphabetically and if your name is on this list it will show the commission number and expiration date (which is 4 years and 1 day less than your term start). It is recommended to complete an online application and then visit the county office for in-person service. If you choose to mail in your oath and bond (via certified mail or means of physical delivery that provides a receipt), be prepared to wait 5-10 business days for your order to be processed. Some counties might have different requirements such as the need for two copies of the oath of office and specific recording cover letters. Other counties require appointments (such as Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties) that are scheduled online and notarial services are only be handled at specific office locations that might not be as close to you. It’s a good idea to check with the specific county clerk’s office to confirm their current procedures and any potential changes in policy.

You’re headed to the County Clerk’s office; now what? 

Even before leaving to file your oath and bond, be sure you have checked your county’s check list a couple of times. Do you have the duplicate copies if required? Are they unsigned so you can sign in the presence of the county representative? Printed copies of the filing cover letter (if needed)? Do you have the acceptable form of payment for the applicable filing fees? Did you bring your identification? Because of the multitude of other services the county clerk/recorder offers to business and the public, be prepared for full parking lots and packed lobbies. If you don’t have a specific appointment time to file your oath and bond, then be prepared to check-in via electronic kiosk or live receptionist and wait for your turn. Most government offices are famous for long wait times and these offices are no different. The good news is that it will be a relatively short meeting with the county representative, perhaps five minutes or less – if you have all of your documentation in order. Once your paperwork has been accepted, the county representative will ask you to raise your right hand and take your oath of office for a California notary public. They will then file and record your bond so that it is forwarded to the Recorder’s office. You will either get your original bond form back with the filing barcode and date attached to the top of the document or you may receive a copy of the recorded document for your records. Now you can legally provide service as a commissioned California Notary Public.

Bond recorded & in hand, do you have the rest of your tools for notarizing at the ready?

Once you receive your commission packet, you can get the ball rolling on your notary tools right away. Mail your original Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals to your chosen approved vendor even before you file your oath and bond. The vendor must have the original  authorization certificate in order to record sample impressions of your new stamp/seal or embosser. The vendor is then required to process the original certificate with those sample impressions with the Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento. The vendor will usually keep a copy of the authorization certificate on record  for five years.  The manufacturing of the notary stamp/seal or the embosser takes about three to five business days and shipping usually takes one to two days. Be sure to check in with your vendor if you already placed a bundle order that includes other supplies like the journal, ink pads, etc to see what the actual timing will be for you to receive your full order.  If you time your supplies order and your oath and filing just right, you could start working as a notary public in one to two weeks after receiving your commission packet. Just like many of the steps in the beginning of the notary commission process, there are strict time constraints toward the end as well.  Staying on top of the timing of the notarial commissioning takes some organization. Your Notary Public Handbook is a great reference guide and your local county offices are a great source for reliable information as well.