For Notaries · California
How to Become a Notary in California
To become a notary in California, you must be at least 18, a legal California resident, complete a six-hour approved education course, pass the state's written exam, and clear a background check. File a $15,000 bond with your county clerk and pay the $40 application fee. Commissions last four years.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
California has one of the most rigorous paths to a notary commission in the country. Unlike many states, it requires both a six-hour Secretary of State-approved education course and a passing score on a proctored written exam administered by CPS HR Consulting. You will also need a $15,000 surety bond, Live Scan fingerprinting for a Department of Justice and FBI background check, and a county clerk filing before you can notarize. Commissions run four years. Note that while SB 696 has authorized remote online notarization, that capability is not yet live in California, so for now the state's notaries work in person.
California Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | You must be at least 18 years old, a legal California resident, and able to clear a background check that requires fingerprinting via Live Scan for Department of Justice and FBI review. You must complete a six-hour Secretary of State-approved education course and pass the state's written notary exam. Certain criminal convictions, or failing to disclose them, can disqualify an applicant. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $15,000 surety bond, filed with your county clerk's office within 30 calendar days of your commission's start date. The bond protects the public, not the notary. |
| State filing fee | $40 state application/exam fee (a $20 fee applies to retake the exam). A separate county clerk fee is charged to file your oath of office and $15,000 bond. |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Required. New applicants must complete a six-hour course of study approved by the Secretary of State before being commissioned. Notaries renewing a still-current commission may instead take an approved three-hour refresher course. |
| Exam | Required. Applicants must pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State and administered by CPS HR Consulting. You bring proof of the six-hour course and a 2x2 color passport photo to the exam site. |
California law requires every notary public to file an official bond in the amount of $15,000, and the Secretary of State grants notary commissions for a four-year term. — California Secretary of State — Notary Public Handbook
How to Become a Notary in California: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Be at least 18 years old and a legal California resident, and be prepared to clear a background check. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify you, so review the Secretary of State's disciplinary guidelines if you have any concerns.
- 2
Complete a six-hour approved education course
All new applicants must finish a six-hour notary public course from a Secretary of State-approved vendor. Notaries renewing a current commission may take an approved three-hour refresher course instead.
- 3
Pass the state written exam
Register with CPS HR Consulting, then bring your course completion proof, a 2x2 color passport photo, and the $40 application fee to the exam site, and pass the Secretary of State's written notary examination.
- 4
Get fingerprinted and await your commission
Submit fingerprints through Live Scan for a Department of Justice and FBI background check. Once you clear and are approved, the Secretary of State issues your four-year notary commission.
- 5
File your $15,000 bond and oath, then get supplies
Within 30 calendar days of your commission start date, file your oath of office and $15,000 surety bond with the county clerk in the county where you keep your principal place of business. Then order your notary seal and journal to begin notarizing.
Remote Online Notarization in California
California authorized remote online notarization through SB 696, the Online Notarization Act, but the online-notary provisions are not yet operative. Until the Secretary of State completes the required technology platform, California-commissioned notaries cannot register for or perform RON.
Online / remote notary application fee: Not yet set — online notarization is not operative in California.
SB 696's online-notary provisions become operative when the Secretary of State completes its technology project, or January 1, 2030 at the latest, whichever comes first.
See how RON is authorized in California — and state by state →
Walk through the California remote online notarization process →
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in California
California has not yet made remote online notarization operative for its notaries, so today the practical path is a traditional commission. Here's how the two compare for when RON goes live.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in California? | Yes | Not yet — authorized but not operative |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in California?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application/exam fee | $40 (fixed by the state; $20 to retake the exam) |
| $15,000 surety bond | Premium set by your bonding company |
| Six-hour education course | Varies by approved vendor |
| Live Scan fingerprinting | DOJ/FBI fees plus a rolling fee (varies) |
| County clerk oath & bond filing | Varies by county |
| Seal, journal & supplies | Varies |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
Turn Your California Commission Into Income
Getting commissioned is step one. USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with paid signing work — and the moment California makes remote online notarization available to you, you can add assigned, paid remote signings through the platform. Learn how California notaries earn, check the platform requirements for California notaries, and browse become-a-notary guides for other states.
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby Pacific guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- California Secretary of State — Notary Public
- California SOS — Notary Public Qualifications
- California SOS — Notary Public Handbook (PDF)
- California SOS — Customer Alerts (SB 696 / Online Notarization)
This guide summarizes public requirements from California's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.