How to become a Notary Public in California
A Notary Public in California is a person that has been appointed by the California Secretary of State to administer oaths and witness the signing of important documents such as loan, mortgage or health directives.Every time a new loan is obtained or a loan is refinanced, the documents will have to notarized. So a notary public is in high demand in areas of active real estate markets like that in Fresno, CA.
Documents are notarized to deter fraud and to ensure that they are properly executed.
Requiring a third party impartial witness helps to screen out impostors and to make sure the signers are entering into the agreements knowingly and willingly.
Once you have received appointment for California, you can provide notary services throughout the state. So, even if you get your appointment in Fresno, you can work anywhere within the state of California.
Here's what you need to know to become a notary public in California:
1) Requirements in California
2) Duties of a Notary Public
3) Notary Public Classes and Schools in California
How to Become a Notary Public in California
1) Requirements in California
To be eligible for a notary public appointment, you must:
- Satisfy the minimum requirements set by the California Secretary of State:
- be 18 years of age or older (there is no maximum age set by statute)
- be a legal California resident
- provide satisfactory proof of a six-hour completed course of study
- Successfully complete a required 6 hours course at a school approved by the state.
- Receive the certificate of completion.
- Register to take the Notary exam.
- Take the exam, bringing with you on test day a photo ID, completed Notary Public application form, certificate of required course completion, $40 fee.
- Pass the exam by answering at least 70% correctly
- Submit one set of fingerprints via live scan that is acceptable to the State Department of Justice (DOJ). There is a $32 fee.
- Once the application has been approved and the background check cleared, you will receive a commission packet which includes:
- a cover letter with instructions
- filing instructions
- a commission certificate
- 2 Notary Public Oath and Certificate of Filing Forms
- a Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals
- List of Authorized Manufacturers of Notary Public Seals
- Upon receiving the commission packet, you may start to purchase the required notary items:
- A $15,000 bond - To be purchased and file with the county clerk office within 30 days
- One active sequential journal - To record all official acts performed as a notary public in California
- An Official Seal which can legibly reproduce under photographic methods the essential elements of the seal. The essential elements include the name of the notary, the State Seal, the words "Notary Public," and the name of the county where the bond and oath of office are filed, the date the notary public's commission expires and the sequential identification number assigned to the notary and the sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor.
The term of office of a Notary Public in California is 4 years.
An appointed notary public can provide services throughout the state.
2) Duties of Notary Publics
A notary public's main job is to administer oaths and to witness the signing of important documents.
Their list of duties include:
- To provide a certificate of proof for advance health care directives, powers of attorney, mortgages, deeds, grants and other documents executed by any person
- To take depositions and affidavits, and administer oaths and
- affirmations
- To certify copies of powers of attorney under Section 4307 of
- the Probate Code. The certification shall be signed by the notary
- public in the notary public's own handwriting.
- Upon written request, a notary public in California must also:
(1) furnish to the Secretary of State certified copies of the notary's journal.
(2) respond within 30 days of receiving written requests sent by certified mail from the Secretary of State's office for information relating to official acts performed.
3) Notary Public Classes in California
The first step to become a notary public in California is to complete the required education.
You must take the notary classes at a school APPROVED by the California Secretary of State.
School status may change so it is best to call the Secretary of State at (916) 653-3595 prior to signing up for a class. Some schools offer online classes.
Notary classes in Fresno, CA are usually offered at Fresno City College (559.256.0188) and the Fresno Adult School and Community Education (559.457.6000)
Below are schools that are currently approved by the California Secretary of State:
Duane Gomer Inc.
800-439-4909
Allstate Online Notary Preparation
619-461-8456
A+ Certification and Notary Seminars
800-873-9865
A.V. Notary Network
661-810-9990
California School of Notary Public, Inc.
714-841-9923
1st AA - California Notary Seminars
800-358-6373
Notary Masters
800-421-2154
Academy for Notaries by Jennie Stormes
209-327-7393
Notary Matters
415-760-5507
916-416-3588
At-Home Notary Education Program
925-828-3116
Sharon Tisdale
951-440-7895
Southern California Notary Classes
909-517-3553
Marylyn Jones
909-985-0551
Golden State Notary, Inc.
888-263-1977
Abacus Educational Seminars, Inc.
888-933-6633
A+ Statewide Notary College
800-359-5031
California Notary Classes
925-828-3116
American Notary Group
323-349-0860
Allstate Notary Preparation
619-461-8456
American Notary Group
323-349-0860
Samuel Tong School
408-246-2800
American Notary Institute
714-671-2889
1st AA - California Notary Seminars
626-331-7366
James B. O'Shea
818-995-8209
1 Day San Bernardino/Riverside Notary School
909-556-2202
Notaryclasses.com
800-873-9865
$65 School of Professional Notaries
949-485-5165
Notary Public Seminars of Southern California
760-996-3382
Get Smart Notary School
800-958-3004
Notary Public Seminars, Inc.
310-477-2274
Notary Academy of America (NAA)
949-285-5548
A & A Northern California Education
408-439-0589
National Notary Association
800-876-6827
Notary Education Seminars
951-272-1164
Online Notary Course for California
707-953-5607
Xpress Notary Seminars
866-433-6182
AJE NotaryUSA Online
877-389-7700
Affordable Educators
800-498-5100
A+ Notary Seminars, LLC
949-472-3216
Notary Learning Center
800-909-9003
NotaryExamPrep.com
805-388-9587
R. L. Scherrer
209-522-5205