California Notary Public Exam Overview
The California Notary Public Exam is administered by approved testing vendors on behalf of the California Secretary of State. California has one of the most rigorous notary exams in the nation, reflecting the state's detailed requirements for notarial acts.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become a California Notary Public—serving nearly 40 million residents in the nation's most populous state with the highest demand for notary services.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 45 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Passing Score | 70% (32 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | $40 |
| Education Required | 6-hour approved course |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $15,000 required |
Why Become a California Notary?
- Largest market — Nearly 40 million potential clients
- High demand — Real estate, legal, and business needs
- Income opportunity — Charge up to $15 per signature
- Flexible work — Mobile notary and signing agent options
- Remote notarization — California now allows RON
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- California resident (or work in CA)
- Complete 6-hour approved education course
- Pass the state examination
- Pass background check (Live Scan)
- Obtain $15,000 surety bond
Oath of Office:
- Must be administered by county clerk
- File oath and bond within 30 days of commission
- Receive official notary stamp/seal
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, deeds of trust, powers of attorney
- Certificate must include venue, date, signer identification
Jurats (Verification on Oath or Affirmation):
- Signer swears content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath/affirmation
- Common for affidavits and depositions
Proof of Execution:
- Third party proves another person signed
- Subscribing witness procedure
- Used when signer cannot appear
- Strict requirements under California law
Copy Certification:
- Certify copies of powers of attorney
- Cannot certify vital records (births, deaths, marriages)
- Limited to specific document types
3. Identification Requirements (20%)
Satisfactory Evidence of Identity:
| Acceptable ID | Requirements |
|---|---|
| CA Driver License/ID | Current or issued within 5 years |
| US Passport | Current or issued within 5 years |
| Foreign Passport | Current (stamped by USCIS) |
| US Military ID | Current |
Credible Witnesses:
- Two credible witnesses required
- Each must personally know the signer
- Must present satisfactory ID to notary
- Used when signer lacks acceptable ID
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows the signer
- Should be reserved for well-known individuals
- Document basis for identification in journal
4. California-Specific Laws (15%)
Government Code and Civil Code:
- Government Code §8200-8230 (notary provisions)
- Civil Code §1185-1197 (acknowledgments)
- Civil Code §1189 (certificate forms)
- Know specific code sections tested on exam
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot notarize for family members (financial interest)
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot provide legal advice
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
5. Journal and Record Keeping (10%)
Mandatory Journal Requirements: California requires a sequential journal including:
- Date, time, and type of notarial act
- Type of document notarized
- Signer's name and signature
- Type of ID presented
- Address (for real property documents)
- Thumbprint for certain documents
Thumbprint Requirements: Required for:
- Deeds and deeds of trust
- Quitclaim deeds
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $15 per signature |
| Jurat | $15 per signature |
| Certified copy of POA | $15 |
| Each additional signature | $15 |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Complete 6-hour education course | 6 |
| Week 1-2 | Notary fundamentals and commission process | 4-5 |
| Week 2 | Notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats) | 4-5 |
| Week 2-3 | Identification and credible witnesses | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | California codes and prohibited acts | 4-5 |
| Week 3-4 | Journal, thumbprints, and fees | 3-4 |
| Week 4 | Practice exams and review | 5-6 |
Total recommended study time: 30-35 hours (including required course)
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California-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master the Journal Requirements
California's journal is mandatory and detailed:
- Sequential entries required
- Cannot skip lines
- Must include thumbprint for real property
- Journal must be kept for 10 years after last entry
2. Know the Code Sections
Key California codes appear on the exam:
- Government Code §8200 — Notary appointment
- Government Code §8206 — Seal requirements
- Civil Code §1189 — Certificate forms
- Civil Code §1185 — Acknowledgment requirements
3. Understand Real Property Documents
California has special rules for real property:
- Thumbprint in journal required
- Acknowledgment certificates have specific wording
- Deed fraud prevention measures
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | California Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 70% (32/45) |
| Education | 6 hours |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $15,000 |
| Max fee per signature | $15 |
| Journal retention | 10 years |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the required course — 6-hour course is mandatory
- Ignoring journal requirements — California is strict
- Forgetting thumbprints — Required for real property
- Confusing act types — Know acknowledgment vs. jurat
- Not knowing ID requirements — Memorize acceptable IDs
- Underestimating code sections — Specific codes are tested
After Passing Your Exam
- File application with Secretary of State within 1 year
- Get Live Scan fingerprints for background check
- Obtain $15,000 surety bond from approved provider
- File oath and bond with county clerk within 30 days
- Purchase notary seal/stamp meeting state requirements
- Purchase journal — Required before performing acts
- Begin your notary practice — Commission valid 4 years
2026 California Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Remote Online Notarization (RON) authorization
- Updated fee schedules
- Enhanced fraud prevention requirements
- Electronic journal options
Start Your California Notary Career Today
The California Notary Public commission opens doors to serving the nation's largest state. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
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- ✅ California law specifics (Government Code, Civil Code)
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
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