California Notary Public Exam Commission, Bond, and Oath Summary

A California notary public commission lasts four years. To keep working as a notary after that, the notary must apply again before the commission ends.

Wrong choices

• 5 years: Five years is not the term. A California commission lasts four years.
• 2 years: Two years is too short. A California commission lasts four years.
• 10 years: Ten years is far too long. A California commission lasts four years.

Every California notary public must file an official surety bond of $15,000. The bond is issued by a surety company and is filed with the county clerk along with the oath of office.

Wrong choices

• $25,000: $25,000 is more than the law requires. The bond is $15,000.
• $5,000: $5,000 is too low. The bond is $15,000.
• $10,000: $10,000 is not the required amount. The bond is $15,000.

The notary must take the oath of office and file it, together with the $15,000 bond, within 30 days after the beginning of the commission term. The commission does not take effect until this is done.

Wrong choices

• 90 days: 90 days is far too long. The oath and bond must be filed within 30 days.
• 10 days: 10 days is not the deadline. The law allows 30 days.
• 60 days: 60 days is too long. The oath and bond must be filed within 30 days.

To be appointed a California notary public, a person must be at least 18 years old. Other requirements include being a legal resident of California, finishing an approved course, and passing the exam.

Wrong choices

• 25 years old: There is no age 25 rule for California notaries.
• 16 years old: A 16-year-old is too young; applicants must be at least 18.
• 21 years old: California does not require applicants to be 21. The minimum age is 18.

Every first-time applicant must satisfactorily complete a 6-hour course of study approved by the Secretary of State before appointment. Passing the exam alone is not enough.

Wrong choices

• A 2-year college degree in law or business: No college degree is required.
• No course is required if the applicant passes the exam: A first-time applicant must complete the approved course as well as pass the exam.
• A 3-hour refresher course approved by the Secretary of State: The 3-hour refresher is only for certain renewing notaries, not first-time applicants.

A California notary public may perform notarial acts anywhere within the State of California. The commission is not limited to the county where the oath and bond are filed.

Wrong choices

• Only in the county where the oath and bond are filed: The filing county is for records only. The commission covers the whole state.
• Only at the employer's place of business: An employer may limit work during business hours, but the commission itself is statewide.
• Anywhere in the United States: A California commission does not allow acts in other states.

The oath of office and the $15,000 bond are filed with the county clerk of the county where the notary's principal place of business is located, as shown on the application to the Secretary of State.

Wrong choices

• With the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento: The Secretary of State issues the commission, but the oath and bond are filed with the county clerk.
• With the county clerk of the county where the notary was born: The place of birth does not matter. The filing county is based on the principal place of business.
• With the superior court in any county the notary chooses: The oath and bond are not filed with a court, and the notary cannot pick any county.

If the oath and bond are not filed with the county clerk within 30 days after the commission begins, the commission does not take effect. The person cannot act as a notary and would have to apply again.

Wrong choices

• The deadline is automatically extended for another 30 days: There is no automatic extension of the deadline.
• The notary may notarize but may not charge fees until filing: There is no partial commission. Without timely filing, the notary may not act at all.
• The notary pays a late fee and the commission starts as usual: The law does not allow a late fee to fix a missed filing.

The $15,000 bond guarantees payment to people who are harmed by the notary's misconduct or neglect, up to the bond amount. It does not protect the notary.

Wrong choices

• The notary, against lawsuits from customers: The bond is not insurance for the notary. The notary remains liable.
• The notary's employer, against lost business: The bond does not protect employers.
• The Secretary of State, against processing costs: The bond is not for the Secretary of State.

A notary who has already completed the 6-hour course may take a 3-hour refresher course to renew, as long as the notary applies before the current commission expires. The renewing notary must also pass the exam again.

Wrong choices

• A 12-hour advanced course: There is no 12-hour course requirement.
• No course, because the notary already passed the exam once: Renewing notaries still need approved education before reappointment.
• The full 6-hour course again: The full 6-hour course is required again only if the commission expires before the renewal is completed.