Originally posted 3/24/23

After two years as a commissioned California Notary, I couldn’t be more certain that I want to encourage others to join the ranks of this incredible community. So, you are thinking about becoming a Notary, and you are a California resident? Well, I am so happy that you are here today, and I can’t wait to share the steps you need to take to become a commissioned California Notary.

Everything I share with you today is available on the California SOS ( Secretary of State) Website. So if you want to jump over, click here to check it out.

Ok, let's get into it. First, let's talk about the requirements to be a notary, as set out by the California SOS.

California Secretary of State requirements to become a Notary Public:

1. Be 18 years of age or older

2. Be a legal resident of California

3. Complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State

4. Satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State.

5. Clear background check

These are the five foundational requirements even to be considered.

The SOS also has listed on what terms they will deny a commission.

• Failure to disclose any arrest or conviction

• Conviction of a felony where not less than 10 years have passed since the completion of probation

• Conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor where not less than 5 years have passed since the completion of probation

• A determination that the facts of a particular case warrant denials, such as the nature and severity of the act or the presence of aggravating factors.

Not all criminal convictions will prevent you from becoming a Notary. This is the California Secretary of States' List of Disqualifying Convictions:

The most common disqualifying convictions are listed below; however, this list is not all-inclusive:

• Arson-related offenses

• Assault

• Auto theft

• Battery

• Burglary

• Carrying a concealed weapon

• Carrying a loaded firearm in a public place

• Child molestation

• Child pornography

• Conspiracy

• Discharge of a firearm in a public place or into an inhabited dwelling

• Drugs, possession for sale, and sale

• Embezzlement

• Escape without force

• Failure to comply with a court order

• Failure to pay child support

• Failure to return to confinement

• False financial statements

• False imprisonment

• Forgery

• Fraud involving, but not limited to, bank cards, credit cards, insufficient funds/checks, insurance, mail, Medi-Cal or Medicare, real estate, tax, and welfare

• Fraudulent impersonation of a peace officer

• Hit and run

• Kidnapping-related offenses

• Manslaughter

• Pimping and pandering

• Possession of an unregistered firearm

• Practicing without a license when a license is required

• Prostitution

• Rape

• Receipt of stolen property

• Resisting or threatening a peace officer

• Robbery

• Solicitation

• Statutory rape

• Tax evasion

• Terrorist threats

• Theft, grand and petty, including burglary and robbery

• Threats to commit a crime involving death or great bodily injury

• Violation of Penal Code section 273.5 (domestic violence, spousal abuse, etc.).

(If denied a commission, the SOS allows you to appeal the decision through an administrative hearing process.

Ok, So let's assume you are confident you can clear the background check. Awesome. So let me give you a checklist of your next steps.

Your Go-To How to Become a Notary Check List

• 1. Complete Approved Education:

The SOS has a list of approved training classes on its website, and I will link that list here. My suggestion for the best of that list is the NNA- the National Notary Association. At the NNA, not only can you take your 6-hour course in person or online, but they proctor your test near you. By purchasing one of their new notary packages, you will also get your live scan and background check covered, your $15k Bond (required), and options for your Errors and Emissions Insurance ( also required). You will also get your new journal, stamp, and thumbprint ink as part of their packages. These packages run from between $500-$800.

• 2. Register for the Exam:

Once you have decided which of the approved training and testing vendors to go with, it's time to register for the test. Remember, you can’t take the test until you have completed the training. Not all training vendors can proctor the test. The SOS has a service they work with for test proctoring; you can find that info here.

• 3. Take the Exam:

Before your exam, and before you take the 6-hour course, I would highly recommend, and so does the SOS, that you order or download the Notary Handbook. It's necessary to pass your test as all of the questions on your exam will come from information in the handbook, and you can get that here.

Here are some things you need when you arrive for your test:

• A current photo identification (e.g., California Driver's License or Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles);

• A complete current Notary Public Application form;

• A 2" x 2" color passport photo of yourself;

• The Proof of Completion certificate of your six-hour or three-hour approved education course;

• The registration confirmation letter; and

• The $40.00 exam and application processing fee (or the $20.00 exam fee for applicants who previously took the exam and failed). Payment must be by check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State (cash is not accepted at the exam site).

• 4. Submit Live Scan Finger Prints for Back Ground Check:

The Live Scan and Back Ground check won’t be submitted until you have passed the written exam. Through the NNA, you will get your live scan fingerprints taken at the test site, and they automate the process, so you don’t have to. Review the SOS’s info on background checks and live scans here.

• 5. Wait for Your Results:

This is the point when most new notaries get a little anxious. It's a waiting game. However, just because you’re waiting doesn’t mean you should wait. Here are some things you can do while waiting for your results.

• Find Facebook Groups for Notaries in your community or area. You can join California Notary Networking groups on Facebook and California ones, but you should narrow down the networking groups you can meet in person. These should be within a comfortable driving distance from you.

• Find a notary training platform that works for you. The 6-hour course required by the SOS will not teach you how to be a notary but will only inform you of how not to break the law. Research for more information and training on how to be a notary. Look for quality courses with good reviews. For brand-new notaries, here is my favorite.

• Build your website and create your business cards. Do the businessy stuff you need to have any business. For this, I have a new training course coming out in April. If you are interested in learning how to set up the business part of your notary business, email the subject line: Biz Course here.

• 6. You’ve Passed! Yeah! Now Buy your Notary Supplies:

These will be part of your package if you have gone through a training company like the NNA. But if you did not. You will need to buy your essential Notary Supplies. Check out my blog post that walks you through what you do and don’t need as you're just starting. You can check that out here. Here is what will be in your commission packet once you pass.

The notary public commission packet includes the following:

• a cover letter with instructions;

• filing instructions;

• a Notary Public Commission certificate;

• two Notary Public Oath and Certificate of Filing forms;

• a Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals; and

• a list of Authorized Manufacturers of Notary Public Seals.

• 7. File Your Oath and Bond:

When you get commissioned, you will receive instructions on how to do this. You must set an appointment with your county clerk to File Your Oath and Bond. There will be a nominal fee, but you will bring in your info (they will let you know what you need), take an oath, and then you are official!

There you go! Once you are official, I encourage you to take more training and get as much education as possible, but don’t wait forever to tell everyone you know, “Hey, I am Notary!”

I am excited for you and your future and will be thrilled that you're joining this amazing community that I love so much. As always, I would love to hear from you if you have any questions. You can email me at jcooper@jkcmobilenotary.com or use the website chat feature.

Until next time- Get those dreams, achieve those goals, and be proud of yourself for deciding to leap.

Jennifer K Cooper- JKC Mobile Notary