The following is a checklist identifying the steps that must be completed to obtain a notary public commission:. Applicants found to be non-compliant with child or family support orders will be issued temporary term notary public commissions.
Notaries public found to be non-compliant after the notary public commission is issued may be subject to commission suspension or revocation. Family Code section State law requires all applicants to be fingerprinted as part of a background check before being granted an appointment as a notary public.
Information concerning the fingerprinting requirement will be mailed to applicants who pass the examination. All applicants are required to disclose on their application any arrests for which trial is pending and all convictions. Convictions dismissed under Penal Code section If you have any questions concerning the disclosure of convictions or arrests, contact the Secretary of State before signing the application.
For specifics about your arrest s and or conviction s , please contact the California Department of Justice at For additional information, please review the Disciplinary Guidelines. The most common disqualifying convictions are listed below; however, this list is not all-inclusive:. Note: When a recommendation is made to deny an application, the applicant has the right to appeal the recommendation through the administrative hearing process.
Requirements to Become a Notary Public To become a notary public, you must meet all of the following requirements: be 18 years of age or older there is no maximum age set by statute be a legal California resident complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State clear a background check Government Code section Call Us Receive Updates Sign up for e-updates.
