Part 1, Section 2
The Appointment Process

The California Secretary of State must be assured that only well educated and competent notaries are serving the public.  Therefore, the Secretary of State requires mandatory notary education and a proctored test wherein individuals can prove their ability to serve as notaries public.

In order to qualify to become a Notary Public in California, you must:

• be a resident of the State of California
• be at least 18 years of age
• complete a six hour Notary training course
• pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State
• be able to read, write and understand English
• pass a background check. 

Government Code § 8201

The necessary information to be appointed as a Notary Public can be obtained from CPS Testing Services notary.cps.ca.gov, or phone (916) 263-3520.  If you call, leave your name and address on their message machine, and you will receive an application, instructions, a handbook, and registration information of when and where to take the test.

Fill out your application ahead of time, but do not date and sign it until the day before or the day of your test.  The information required of you on your application:

• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license number
• Full name
• Principal place of business and occupation
• Telephone number
• Business and mailing addresses
• Residence address
• Whether you are a U.S. citizen
• Whether you are a legal resident of California
• Any other names you have used in the past
• Whether you have been held liable by a court in any suit based on fraud or misrepresentation, failure to discharge the duties of a  notary or violation of state regulatory law
• Whether you have ever been denied a professional license or whether that license had ever been revoked, restricted or suspended, or whether you resigned that license due to unfavorable circumstances
• Whether you have ever been convicted by any court of a felony or misdemeanor (not including juvenile offenses or traffic infractions), or if you have been arrested for an offense for which a trial is pending

You must also submit a 2” x 2” color photograph (passport photo) of yourself to the Secretary of State with your application.
Government Code § 8201.5

You may use a commercial mail receiving agency or post office box as your “mailing address”, but you must provide a physical address as your principal place of business and a physical address as your residence. 
Government Code § 8213.5

Remember, when you sign your application, you are signing “under penalty of perjury”, and this is your first opportunity to prove your honesty and integrity to the Secretary of State.  Any misstatements, inaccurate information or omitted information on your application will result in an automatic denial of your commission, and you will not be allowed to apply for reconsideration by the Secretary of State for one year.

With the exception of your name and address, all information provided on the application form is kept confidential. 
Government Code § 8201.5

You will be provided with an Admission Letter notifying you of the date, time and place of your examination.  You must arrive at the testing site 30 minutes early to check-in.  Bring with you your identification, a check made payable to the Secretary of State for $40 ($20 if you are re-taking the test after having failed), your completed application, a 2” x 2” color photograph of yourself (passport photo), your Proof of Completion of this course,  and two sharpened black lead No. 2 pencils.  If you do not check in at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time, your seat may be given to a stand-by applicant. 

The test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, and you are given 50 minutes to complete the exam.  You must achieve a score of 70% or higher to pass.

You may not communicate in any way with other applicants during the exam, and you must not disclose any information from the exam to anyone.  Doing so would compromise the notary public exam process, and your application could be permanently denied or your commission permanently revoked, and you could be required to pay civil penalties of up to $1500.

Examination result letters are sent out ten business days after the examination date.  Exam results are valid for one year from the date of the examination.

The Secretary of State has the duty to screen notary applicants, and may deny your application for a number of reasons, for example:

• If you were convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or fraud
• If you were convicted of a felony (permanent disqualification)
• False, misleading or omitted information on your application
• If you lost a professional license due to dishonesty or fraud
• Failure to pay any court-ordered judgment against you
• If you had violations during a previous commission
• Failure to meet any of the minimum qualifications of notaries public
• Failure to comply with child or family support obligations
• Crimes connected to notarial acts, such as:
  - Making a false writing
  - Fraud relating to a deed of trust
  - Improper notarial acts
  - Unlawfully acting as a notary public
  - Filing false or forged documents
  - Forgery
  - Embezzlement
  - Falsely obtaining personal information

Government Code §8214.1

If your application is denied, you will be notified by the Secretary of State in writing with the reason for denial.  You may then, if you wish, appeal the decision and request an administrative hearing. Government Code §8214.3

Unless you have been “permanently disqualified” as a notary public applicant, after one year from the date of the denial, the Secretary of State may reconsider you upon receipt of a new application.
 

Home Page

Continue►

◄Back            Home Page           Continue►