Notary Public in California

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

Approximately 3-4 months (including course, exam, background check, and processing)

Time to complete

route How to become a notary public in California

To become a Notary Public in California, individuals must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of the state. The process involves completing a 6-hour approved education course, passing a state-administered exam, and undergoing a background check via Live Scan fingerprinting. After passing the exam and background check, applicants receive a commission packet and must then purchase a $15,000 surety bond and file their oath of office and bond with the county clerk within 30 days. Renewal requires a 3-hour refresher course, provided the commission has not lapsed.

checklist California requirements

Licensing body	California Secretary of State
State license	Required
Education	6-hour approved education course for new applicants; 3-hour approved refresher course for renewals (if commission has not lapsed)
Exam	California Notary Public Exam ($40)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 4.0 years
Continuing education	3.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Requires a background check (fingerprinting via Live Scan) and a $15,000 surety bond. Must be a legal resident of California. Notaries must file their oath and bond with the county clerk within 30 days of commission commencement. The exam fee and application fee are combined for a total of $40.00. If an applicant fails the exam, the retake fee is $20.00. A 2" x 2" color passport photo is required with the application. Notaries cannot notarize documents if they are physically outside of California.

Source: California Secretary of State

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a notary public in California? expand_more

The path to notary public licensure in California: complete the required education (6-hour approved education course for new applicants; 3-hour approved refresher course for renewals (if commission has not lapsed)), pass the California Notary Public Exam, and submit your application ($40 fee).

Does California require notary public licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in California. California Secretary of State handles notary public licensing — the California Notary Public Exam is part of the process.

What's the total cost to get notary public certified in California? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($40) and application fee ($40). The estimated total investment is $250, including education and training.

How quickly can I become a notary public in California? expand_more

Expect to spend Approximately 3-4 months (including course, exam, background check, and processing) from start to finish in California — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do notary publics need in California? expand_more

Yes — notary publics in California must complete 3.0 CE hours every 4.0 years to stay licensed.