How-To

How to Become a Notary in California

Becoming a notary in California is a set sequence: education, exam, background check, bond, and filing. The $15,000 bond is a small, quick piece of it, and it is ours. Here is the whole path, in order.

Becoming a notary by the numbers

6 hrs: State-approved education required to become a California notary; CA Secretary of State
$15,000: California notary public surety bond, filed for a four-year commission; CA Secretary of State
4 years: Length of a California notary public commission; CA Secretary of State

Step 1: Complete the six-hour course

First-time applicants must complete a six-hour course from a state-approved education provider. It covers California notary law and prepares you for the exam. Renewing notaries take a shorter refresher course instead.

Step 2: Pass the state exam

Sit for the proctored state exam: 45 questions, and you need 70% to pass. You take it after the course, and passing is what moves your application forward.

Step 3: Get fingerprinted (Live Scan)

Complete a Live Scan background check through the California Department of Justice. Your fingerprints are submitted electronically, and the results go to the Secretary of State as part of your commission review.

Step 4: Buy the $15,000 notary bond

California requires a $15,000 notary surety bond for your four-year commission. It protects the public, not you, and it is inexpensive, often a small one-time premium. See what the notary bond costs. This is the step we handle.

Step 5: File your bond and oath

Within 30 days of the start of your commission, file the bond and your oath of office with your county clerk. This step activates your commission, so do not let the window pass.

Step 6: Get your stamp and journal

Finally, obtain your official notary stamp and a journal from an approved vendor. Then you are ready to notarize. When you reach the bond step, start a quote and we will issue it fast.

Questions

FAQs

Reviewed by Michael Melshenker, CEO. Updated June 2026.

What are the steps to become a notary in California?

Complete a six-hour approved course, pass the state exam, get fingerprinted through Live Scan, buy the $15,000 notary bond, then file the bond and your oath of office with your county clerk within 30 days of your commission. Finally, get your stamp and journal.

How hard is the California notary exam?

It is a 45-question proctored exam, and you need 70% to pass. The required six-hour course is designed to prepare you for it.

What bond do I need, and when do I file it?

A $15,000 notary surety bond. You file it, along with your oath of office, with your county clerk within 30 days of the start of your commission. Miss that window and your commission will not take effect.

How much does it cost to become a notary?

Usually around $150 to $200 total, covering the course, exam, Live Scan, the notary bond, and your stamp and journal. The bond itself is one of the smallest pieces of that.