What It Costs to Become a Notary in California

Written by Jonathan

with the help of artificial intelligence.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a notary in California, the process is pretty straightforward, but there are some key costs involved. As someone who’s completed the education twice, here’s a breakdown of the general costs for obtaining and maintaining a notary license in the Golden State. I am not an active notary, but I have been one almost 20 years ago. Your best resource is the National Notary Association for all the rules and stuff.

1. Application Fee

First, there’s the $40 application fee you’ll need to pay to the California Secretary of State when submitting your notary application. If you’re renewing your notary commission, this drops to $20.

2. Notary Education

California requires you to take a 6-hour notary public education course from an approved vendor. This course can cost anywhere between $50 and $100, depending on the provider you choose. If you’re renewing, you only need to complete a 3-hour course, which is a bit less expensive.

3. Exam Fee

Once you complete the course, you’ll have to pass the notary exam. There’s a $40 exam fee, which you’ll pay when you sign up to take the test.

4. Background Check

Next comes the Live Scan fingerprinting. This background check is a requirement for all notary applicants and costs between $70 and $90. The fee can vary depending on where you get it done, so it’s worth shopping around a little.

5. Notary Bond

California requires all notaries to secure a $15,000 surety bond, which typically costs around $38 to $50. The bond is there to protect the public in case of errors or fraud, not the notary themselves.

6. Notary Supplies

You’ll need a few basic tools to get started as a notary, including a notary stamp and journal. A notary supply kit will run you about $50 to $100, depending on the quality and supplier.

Ongoing Costs

To maintain your notary license, you’ll have to renew every four years. This means going through the education, exam, and background check process again, with similar costs as the first time around.

Additionally, some notaries opt for Errors & Omissions Insurance (which is optional but highly recommended). This insurance protects you in case of mistakes, and it typically costs around $60 to $150 per year depending on the coverage.

Total Costs

In total, expect to spend between $200 to $300 to become a notary in California, not including the optional insurance. Renewal costs are similar, though you can expect a bit less if you’ve already got your supplies.

-Jonathan & AI

*All this information is provided with the intent of accuracy, however, I am not liable for your inability to use reason and logic in your own decision-making. Good luck.