California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section handles the verified commission route. The captured fee basis is $40 state application fee; examination and fingerprinting costs are separate, the term is 4 years, and the bond rule is $15,000 surety bond.
California notary fee, term, bond, and authority
- Responsible authority
- California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section
- Application fee
- $40 state application fee; examination and fingerprinting costs are separate
- Commission term
- 4 years
- Bond requirement
- $15,000 surety bond
- Training or exam
- Six-hour approved education for new applicants; three-hour approved education for qualifying renewals; pass the state exam
- Official source
- https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/checklist/take-exam ↗
- Jurisdiction
- California (CA)
Who can apply for a California notary commission
Be at least 18 and meet California background and education requirements.
How to apply
Review the current official requirements
Open the verified public source and confirm the correct commission category, application window, fee, and supporting documents.
Complete required education, exam, or background steps
Six-hour approved education for new applicants; three-hour approved education for qualifying renewals; pass the state exam.
Prepare the bond and application package
$15,000 surety bond. Obtain any required seal, oath, identification, endorsements, or county paperwork only after confirming the official instructions.
Submit through the correct authority
Complete education and exam, submit the application, complete fingerprints, and file the bond and oath with the county clerk.
Important conditions and exceptions
Bond premiums, education, examination, fingerprinting, background checks, county recording, seals, journals, technology providers, and shipping can be separate. The official authority—not this website—determines eligibility and whether an application is complete.
Traditional, electronic, and remote notarization are not always the same commission
This page maps the standard public commission route. Electronic or remote online notarization may require a current traditional commission, separate registration or endorsement, approved technology, identity proofing, recording retention, and additional fees. Use the official source before offering remote services.
Source verification
Authority, fee, term, bond, training, and exception claims are mapped to the identified public source.
- California Secretary of State — Notary Public SectionOfficial application, commission, or handbook sourceOpen official source ↗
- National Association of Secretaries of StateNationwide notary authority directorynass.org ↗
California notary commission answers
Who commissions notaries in California?
California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section.
How much is the California notary application?
$40 state application fee; examination and fingerprinting costs are separate.
How long does a California notary commission last?
4 years.
Does California require a notary bond?
$15,000 surety bond.
Is training or an exam required in California?
Six-hour approved education for new applicants; three-hour approved education for qualifying renewals; pass the state exam.
Can SecretaryOfStateUSA.com issue a California notary commission?
No. This private directory does not accept applications, issue commissions, sell bonds, or provide legal advice.