Becoming a California notary public takes about 4 to 8 weeks from your first day of coursework to performing your first notarization. The process has seven mandatory steps, each with a specific deadline or sequence requirement. Skip one or miss a deadline and you start over. Here is the full process, in order, with every detail you need.
Before you start: eligibility requirements
California law (Government Code §8201) requires all notary applicants to meet these qualifications:
- Age: At least 18 years old
- Residency: Legal resident of California (you do not need to be a U.S. citizen)
- Language: Ability to read and write English
- Criminal history: No disqualifying felony convictions. Certain misdemeanors involving dishonesty or moral turpitude may also disqualify. If you have a criminal record, you must disclose it on your application — the Secretary of State reviews each case individually
Step 1: Complete a 6-hour education course
Every new applicant must complete a 6-hour notary education course from a vendor approved by the California Secretary of State. This requirement exists under Government Code §8201(a)(3). No exceptions — even California-licensed attorneys must complete the course.
- The course covers notarial acts, journal requirements, identification rules, fees, prohibited conduct, and the bond and oath filing process
- Online courses let you work at your own pace. You can finish in one sitting or spread it across several days
- When you finish, you receive a Proof of Completion certificate, valid for two years
- California CE Academy offers an SOS-approved 6-hour course you can complete entirely online
Step 2: Pass the California notary exam
The exam is administered by CPS HR Consulting on behalf of the Secretary of State at testing sites throughout California.
- 45 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes
- 40 questions are scored, 5 are unscored pilot questions (you will not know which)
- You need 70% to pass — at least 28 of 40 scored questions correct
- The exam is closed-book
- Fee: $40 by check or money order payable to “Secretary of State” (cash and cards not accepted)
- Retake fee: $20
- Register at cpshr.us/notary. Walk-ins accepted on a space-available basis
What to bring: your course completion certificate, a valid photo ID, a 2×2 passport photo, and a check or money order for $40. Arrive early — late arrivals are turned away.
For study strategies and a topic-by-topic breakdown of what the exam covers, read California notary exam: what to expect and how to pass. You can also test yourself with our free practice quiz.
Step 3: Submit fingerprints (Live Scan)
After passing the exam, submit your fingerprints through California’s Live Scan system. The DOJ and FBI run a criminal background check that takes 2 to 4 weeks to process.
- Use the notary-specific Live Scan request form from the Secretary of State’s website. Do not use a generic form
- Find locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations
- Total fee: $49 to $65 (DOJ $32 + FBI $17 + operator rolling fee $10–$30)
- Any criminal history must be disclosed on your application. The Secretary of State reviews each case individually — not all convictions are disqualifying
Step 4: Wait for your commission certificate
After the Secretary of State receives your passing exam score and your background check clears, they issue your commission certificate by mail. This typically takes 2 to 6 weeks after your exam date, depending on background check processing time.
The commission certificate includes your commission number, start date, and expiration date (four years from the start date). You need this information before you can order your seal or file your oath.
Step 5: Purchase a $15,000 surety bond
- California requires every notary to carry a $15,000 surety bond for the full four-year commission term
- You pay a premium of $40 to $100 to a licensed surety company — not the full $15,000
- The bond protects the public from notary misconduct. If a claim is paid, the surety company seeks reimbursement from you
- Order your bond as soon as you receive your commission certificate. You need it in hand before filing your oath
Step 6: File your oath of office and bond
- Go to your county clerk’s office in person
- Bring your commission certificate and your original surety bond
- The clerk administers your oath of office and files both documents
- Filing fee: approximately $36 (varies slightly by county)
- After filing, the clerk provides you with an authentication certificate — keep this in a safe place
Step 7: Order your notary seal and journal
Before you can perform any notarial acts, you need two things:
Notary seal (stamp): $20–$40
- Must include: your name, “Notary Public — California,” your commission number, commission expiration date, and the State Seal
- Order from an authorized seal manufacturer. Do not order until you have your commission certificate with the exact commission number and expiration date
- Ink must photograph under normal lighting conditions
Notary journal: $15–$30
- California requires a bound, sequential journal for every notarial act
- Each entry must include 8 required fields
- Thumbprints required for real property deeds and powers of attorney
- Read our full guide: California notary journal requirements explained
Total cost and timeline summary
| Step | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 6-hour education course | $29–$49 | 1 day (self-paced online) |
| State exam + application | $40 | Next available exam date |
| Live Scan fingerprinting | $49–$65 | Same day (results take 2–4 weeks) |
| Commission certificate | — | 2–6 weeks by mail |
| Surety bond | $40–$100 | Same day (order online) |
| County clerk oath filing | ~$36 | Within 30 days of commission date |
| Seal + journal | $35–$70 | Ships in 1–3 days |
| Total | $230–$340+ | 4–8 weeks start to finish |
For a detailed breakdown of each fee, see How much does it cost to become a California notary? or use the interactive cost calculator.
What happens after you get commissioned?
Once your oath is filed and you have your seal and journal, you can begin performing notarizations immediately. If you are interested in earning money as a mobile notary or loan signing agent, read what happens after you pass the California notary exam for next steps on building your notary business.
Step 1 starts here. Begin the SOS-approved 6-hour education course and complete it at your own pace. Your certificate is generated instantly when you finish.