All applicants appointed on or after July 1, 2005, must complete a Secretary of State-approved course of study before becoming a notary public (Government Code section 8201).

The purpose of this mandatory education is to:

• Ensure proper training for all notaries public.
• Provide a thorough understanding of notary duties and responsibilities.
• Standardize knowledge across all notaries public.
• Reduce complaints and lawsuits due to negligence or misconduct.

After completing the required six-hour course, the approved notary education vendor will issue a certificate of completion. This certificate is valid for 2 years from the issue date, and you must pass the notary public exam before it expires.

The fees for the CA State Notary exam and application are determined by the State of California. Costs for notary supplies, live scan fingerprinting and passport photo services can vary depending on the provider. Filing fees with the County Recorder will differ based on the specific county.

The cost breakdown is as follows:

Live or Online Notary Class - $145.00 throughout California.

• Application/Exam Fee - $40.00 for first time applicants and renewing notaries ($20.00 when retaking the exam)
• Fingerprint Fees - $32.00 to the Dept. of Justice and $17.00 to the Federal Bureau of Investigation plus a "Live Scan Rolling Fee".
• Passport Color Photograph - 2" x 2" passport-type photograph of yourself, $10.00 to $15.00
• Notary Supplies - Price dependant upon the supplies selected. $15,000 State required Notary Bond available through Notary Learning Center for $38.00.
• Filing Fee - A County Recorder fee can range from $40.00 to $120.00 for filing your $15,000 bond.

It usually takes around 10 weeks to receive your commission after taking the state exam. Exam results are sent by CPS HR Consulting within 15-20 business days. For more details, refer to Exam Processing Times. Once you pass, submit your fingerprints for a background check if not already done. After processing, the Secretary of State will mail your commission within approximately 10 weeks. For more details, refer to the "Becoming a Notary Public Checklist" and visit CA Notary Processing Times.

The Secretary of State advises completing your required training and exam at least 6 months before your commission expires. How can I get more information from the California Secretary of State?

Our California Notary Class is designed to be easy, informative and completed in a single day. These classes cover the fundamentals of being a Notary Public and fully prepare you for the California Notary Public Exam. The official CA Notary Exam is administered immediately following the required 6-hour course.

The class simplifies the content of the official California Notary Public Handbook, using plain language and practice quizzes to help you grasp the material. The course emphasizes key topics for the exam, along with practical skills through our Hands-On Training method, including:

• Different types of notarial acts
• Essential elements of each notarization
• Completing notary certificates
• Properly recording entries in your Notary Journal
• Correctly identifying signers

The class schedule is as follows:
Registration 7:30 - 8:00 am
Notary Knowledge 8:00 - 10:00 am
Break 10:00 - 10:15 am
Performing Notarial Acts 10:15 - 12:00 pm
Lunch (not provided) 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Hands-on Training 1:00 - 3:15 pm
Distribute Certificates 3:15 - 3:30 pm
Exam Registration 3:30 - 4:00 pm
State Exam 4:00 - 5:00 pm

• Same-day classes are currently available in both Northern and Southern California.
• The course registration fee does not cover State exam fees, which are payable directly to the Secretary of State.
• Register Now for $145.00 across all of California.

Come prepared to class with the following items:

Information as outlined by CPS HR Consulting

1. One of the following Photo Identification (current or issued within the last 5 years)
   • Driver's license or State DMV ID card
   • Canadian or Mexican Driver's license
   • U.S. Passport or Passport issued by a foreign government
   • U.S. Military ID Card
   • No other forms of photo ID are allowed
2. Completed, printed Notary Public Application
3. 2" x 2" color passport-type photograph (available at our live class)
4. Check, money order, or cashier's check made payable to The Secretary of State.
   • New applicants and reappointments: $40.00
   • Applicants who failed their last exam: $20.00
   • The candidate's name must be preprinted on the check; temporary checks are not accepted. Cash is not accepted.
5. Two sharpened No. 2 lead pencils
6. Pen and Yellow highlighter for notations in the Study Manual

Our goal is to ensure you pass the State exam on your first attempt and, more importantly, feel confident handling your first notarization. To help you achieve this without stress, we provide you with our Study Guide and 100+ Key Knowledge Points. These materials will be made available to you once you've registered for our class. You can also review the State Notary Public Handbook.

Please refer to our Terms of Purchase Agreement

Please refer to our Terms of Purchase Agreement

Please refer to our Terms of Purchase Agreement

Please refer to our Terms of Purchase Agreement

Please refer to our Terms of Purchase Agreement

Your class registration fee is securely processed using SSL/TLS and encryption technology. Notary Learning Center does not retain credit card information after your registration has been completed. We accept Paypal, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express, as well as debit cards which bear the Mastercard or Visa logo.

Yes, you can choose to register by mail or fax during the class checkout process. You can send a check, cashier's check, or money order along with your invoice, made out to "Notary Learning Center," to the following address: "Potential Orders" submitted within 5 business days of your class, will require payment at the door. Your payment must be in the form of a cashier's check, money order, credit card or cash.
No personal checks will be accepted at the door.

Yes. Please contact us for details and rates.

Information as outlined by CPS HR Consulting

1. One of the following Photo Identification (current or issued within the last 5 years)
   • Driver's license or State DMV ID card
   • Canadian or Mexican Driver's license
   • U.S. Passport or Passport issued by a foreign government
   • U.S. Military ID Card
   • No other forms of photo ID are allowed
2. Completed, printed Notary Public Application
3. 2" x 2" color passport-type photograph (available at our live class)
4. Check, money order, or cashier's check made payable to The Secretary of State.
   • New applicants and reappointments: $40.00
   • Applicants who failed their last exam: $20.00
   • The candidate's name must be preprinted on the check; temporary checks are not accepted. Cash is not accepted.
5. Two sharpened No. 2 lead pencils

Notary Learning Center is proud to offer the finest notary education classes available. On average, 97% of our students pass the California Notary Exam on their first attempt. For those who don’t, we provide the opportunity to retake our class as a refresher before attempting the state exam again. Please see our Class Guarantee Information for more details.

We understand that some questions on the state exam may not be explicitly covered in class. The multiple choice State exam questions are updated monthly, and educational vendors do not have advance knowledge of which questions will be included. While we follow an approved curriculum, the state has the discretion to include any questions they choose, which may vary each month.

If you do not pass the State exam, you can take advantage of our Class Guarantee. Please note that the Secretary of State charges $20.00 each time you retake the exam, and exam results are valid for one year. There is no limit as to how many times the exam can be taken. Your Class Completion Certificate is valid for a period of 2 years.

State exam results are sent by CPS HR Consulting within 15-20 business days. For more details, refer to Exam Processing Times.

Yes, you can take your state exam with us even if you completed your required notary public education elsewhere. Simply visit our Class Schedule and select the "State Exam Seat" for your preferred date and location.

In California, the state-required notary supplies include the following, and are available for purchase through Notary Learning Center.

1. $15,000 Surety Bond: A notary must file a $15,000 bond with the county clerk in the county where they will be performing notary services. The bond protects the public against any notarial misconduct.
2. Notary Seal/Stamp: A rubber stamp seal with the notary's name, commission number, and the state and county where the notary is commissioned. It must include "Notary Public" and "State of California" along with the commission expiration date.
3. Notary Journal: A bound journal with numbered pages where you must record every notarization you perform. The journal entries should include details such as the type of notarization, date, and signer's information.

Additional optional but helpful supplies:

• Thumbprint Ink Pad: Used for recording thumbprints in the notary journal for specific transactions like real estate documents.
• Acknowledgment, Jurat, and other Notary Certificate Forms: Preprinted or digital forms to complete notarizations.

Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance is a type of professional liability insurance designed to protect notaries public from claims of negligence or mistakes made during the notarization process. While not required by law in California, carrying E&O insurance is highly recommended for several reasons:

1. Protection from Financial Loss: E&O insurance covers legal costs, settlements, and judgments in the event a client files a lawsuit against you for an error or oversight in your notarial duties.
2. Covers Mistakes and Omissions: Even with the utmost care, mistakes like missing signatures, incorrect dates, or failure to properly verify identities can occur. E&O insurance protects you from liability in these situations.
3. Peace of Mind: Having E&O insurance ensures you're not personally liable for unintentional errors, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on performing your duties confidently.
4. Enhanced Professional Credibility: Carrying insurance shows that you are a responsible and professional notary, which can enhance trust with clients and attract more business.
5. Bond Limitations: California’s $15,000 notary bond only covers claims made by the public and is not for your protection. E&O insurance goes beyond the bond, offering coverage for additional claims and protecting your personal assets.

Please refer to our Terms of Purchase Agreement

Please contact our customer service team at
800-909-9003.

Orders are shipped through USPS Priority Mail and UPS. Once your order leaves our facility, you will receive an email with a receipt and tracking information.

The Notary Signing Agent is a specialist in loan document signing. Notary Signing Agents gain with time a working knowledge of mortgage loans, loan terms and the various documents contained in loan document packages. Notary Signing Agents help the borrower execute their loan documents pertaining to signatures, initials, and completing some information within documents when required.

In California we offer Live Classes and Home Study Training Programs in all states. Our training and reference book with its associated forms pack may also be purchased separately.
Our "Advanced Course for Professional Notary Signing Agents" is the most complete and informative education and training program available today. We cover the essential as well as the more advanced solutions when doing loan document signings.

The certification testing for becoming a "Certified Notary Signing Agent" is available through the Notary Learning Center. Certification Testing is included with our Live Signing Agent Classes, and Home Study Signing Agent Courses. We also offer just the Certification Test with related reference eBooks.

We offer our Home Study Training Program in all states. Our training and reference book with the associated forms pack is applicable in all states as well.