California notary: common questions
California notary: common questions
Do I have to take a class to become a notary in California?
Yes. A new California applicant must complete a state-approved six-hour notary education course before sitting the exam; a notary renewing on time can take a three-hour refresher instead. Only Secretary of State approved vendors may offer it, and this site is not one of them and does not sell it.
Do I need errors and omissions insurance to be a California notary?
No, errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and not required by the state; the required $15,000 surety bond protects the public, not you. E&O protects you personally if you make a mistake. Many notaries skip it, but signing services that hire loan signing agents usually require a policy.
How long are California notary exam results valid?
A passing California notary exam result is valid for one year from the exam date. That window matters because you still have steps after the exam, the Live Scan background check and filing your oath and bond, so a pass gives you time to finish everything without retaking the test.
How long does a California notary commission last?
A California notary public commission lasts four years. It does not renew automatically, so before it expires you go through renewal: an approved course, the state exam, Live Scan, and filing a new oath and $15,000 bond. Renew on time to qualify for the shorter three-hour refresher course instead of the full six hours.
How long does it take to become a notary in California?
Budget several weeks, not days. After the six-hour course and exam, results are mailed in roughly 15 to 20 business days, and the Live Scan background check can take up to about four weeks to process. Once your commission issues, you file your oath and bond within 30 calendar days.
How much does it cost to become a notary in California?
The state sets only two fees: a $20 application fee and the exam fee, currently $40 for a first attempt. Everything else, the required course, the $15,000 bond premium, Live Scan, and your seal and journal, is market-priced, so most new California notaries spend a few hundred dollars all in.
Is the California notary exam open book?
No. The California notary exam is closed-book. It is a multiple-choice test taken in person and administered by CPS HR Consulting, and every question is drawn from the public 2026 California Notary Public Handbook. You cannot bring the handbook or notes in, so the material has to be studied beforehand.
What happens after I pass the California notary exam?
After you pass, the Secretary of State issues your commission. You then file your oath of office and a $15,000 surety bond with your county clerk within 30 calendar days, and buy your official seal and sequential journal. Once those are done, you are a commissioned California notary and can begin notarizing.