The Secretary of State grants four-year notary public commissions to qualified persons, approves notary public education courses, authorizes notary seal manufacturers, investigates violations of notary public law and takes disciplinary action, and issues apostilles.

View a list of the available Notary Public forms available from the California Secretary of State's office here.

The California Secretary of State is offering voters a way to track and receive notifications on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot. Sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov

The active-notary.txt file, which is updated each business day, includes: Notary public name (last name and name suffix, first name, and middle name); Business name (if the notary public is self-employed, the business name field will be blank);

The following is a checklist identifying the steps that must be completed to obtain a notary public commission: Complete Approved Education; Register for the Exam; Take the Exam; Submit Fingerprints via Live Scan; Await Commission Packet; Purchase Notary Public Materials; File Notary Public Oath & Bond; Child Support

The notary public application processing time varies depending on when we receive your correctly completed notary public application and when we receive your background check information from the California Department of Justice for your Live Scan fingerprints.

Email the Secretary of State; Public Records Act Requests; Request the Secretary of State to speak or attend an event or meeting; Request a Celebratory Certificate or Letter from the Secretary of State

Learn the step by step order in which an applicant can qualify to become a notary public here.

Jan 22, 2025 · View information about current processing times of notary public applications and authentication requests here.

The publication entitled "Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines 2012" is available on the internet at www.sos.ca.gov or contact the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, Attention: Publications, 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, California 95814.