Licensing Process

California Notary Public Licensing Process

To become a licensed California Notary Public, you must do the following:

• Be 18 years of age or older (there is no maximum age set by statute)
• Be a legal California resident
• Complete a 6-hour course of study approved by the Secretary of State (SOS)
• Satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the SOS
• Get fingerprinted and clear a background check (see http://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/qualifications/ for more info on background check process)
• Obtain 1 2”x2” Passport photo to submit with Notary License application

To practice as a licensed Notary Public in California, you must obtain the following:

• $15,000 bond from a surety/insurance company authorized to transact business in the state
• Notary ink stamp from a state-approved vendor
• Notary Journal
• Errors & Omissions Insurance (optional)
• Embosser Stamp (optional) 

Contact Info for Relevant Companies 

Mike Russ Schools (for questions about 6-hour Pre-Licensing Course Only)
www.mikeruss.org 
800.724.5661

California Secretary of State (for questions about application status)
www.sos.ca.gov 
916.653.3595