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 (40 scored + 5 unscored) |
| Time Limit | 60 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70 scaled score |
| Exam Fee | $40 |
| Education Required | 6-hour approved course |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $15,000 required |
Of the 45 questions on the exam, 40 are scored and determine whether you pass. The remaining 5 are unscored pilot questions used by CPS HR Consulting for data collection and future exam development — you will not know which questions are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts.
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
Start Your FREE California Notary Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free California Notary exam prep covers everything you need to pass. For additional education and supplies, visit the National Notary Association.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
The exam draws its 40 scored questions from five official content areas. Here is the breakdown based on the official exam outline:
| Topic Area | Weight | Scored Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Misconduct / Fees | 37.5% | 15 |
| Notarial Acts / Documentation | 30.0% | 12 |
| Administrative Procedures | 12.5% | 5 |
| Identification / Subscribing Witness | 10.0% | 4 |
| Immigration / Foreign Language | 10.0% | 4 |
1. Misconduct / Fees — 37.5% (15 Questions)
This is by far the highest-weighted topic on the exam, making up more than a third of your scored questions. Do not underestimate it. If you only have time to master one area, make it this one.
Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $15 per signature |
| Jurat | $15 per signature |
| Certified copy of POA | $15 |
| Each additional signature | $15 |
| Immigration form (per individual) | $15 |
Prohibited Conduct:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot notarize when you have a direct financial interest in the transaction
- Cannot certify vital records (births, deaths, marriages)
- Cannot provide legal advice or prepare legal documents (unauthorized practice of law)
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
- Cannot use misleading advertising
"Notario Publico" Prohibition:
- A California notary may not use the term "Notario Publico" or any non-English equivalent in advertising or business materials
- Violations carry significant penalties because the term implies attorney-level authority in many Latin American countries
- This is a heavily tested concept
Conflicts of Interest:
- Financial interest in the transaction disqualifies a notary from performing the act
- Family relationships involving a financial benefit create a conflict
- Notaries must remain impartial witnesses
Grounds for Suspension, Revocation, and Penalties:
- Failure to maintain bond or file oath
- Conviction of a felony or certain misdemeanors
- Fraud or dishonesty in performing notarial acts
- Charging fees above the statutory maximum
- Know the difference between mandatory revocation and discretionary suspension
2. Notarial Acts / Documentation — 30.0% (12 Questions)
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
Journal and Record Keeping: 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
3. Administrative Procedures — 12.5% (5 Questions)
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
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
4. Identification / Subscribing Witness — 10.0% (4 Questions)
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
5. Immigration / Foreign Language — 10.0% (4 Questions)
This is a distinct topic area that many candidates overlook. It accounts for 10% of your scored questions.
Permissible Immigration Services:
- Notaries may assist with completing immigration forms
- Must not provide legal advice about immigration matters
- Cannot represent individuals before immigration authorities
- Services are limited to translating or filling in forms as directed by the client
Fee Limitations for Immigration Forms:
- Maximum fee of $15 per individual per set of immigration forms
- Fees must be posted in a conspicuous location
- Cannot charge for services not actually rendered
"Notario Publico" Prohibition (Immigration Context):
- Especially relevant when serving immigrant communities
- Using "Notario Publico" or similar terms is a serious violation
- Designed to prevent exploitation of individuals who may believe a notary has attorney-level powers
Foreign Language Document Handling:
- Notaries may notarize documents in a foreign language
- Notary does not need to read or understand the language of the document
- Communication with the signer about the nature of the act is still required
- If the signer does not speak English, a translator may be used but the notary must be satisfied the signer understands the act
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Complete 6-hour education course | 6 |
| Week 1-2 | Misconduct, fees, and prohibited conduct (37.5% of exam) | 6-7 |
| Week 2 | Notarial acts and documentation (30% of exam) | 5-6 |
| Week 2-3 | Administrative procedures, codes, and commission process | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | Identification, subscribing witness, and immigration topics | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice exams and review | 5-6 |
Total recommended study time: 28-33 hours (including required course)
Pro tip: Spend the most time on Misconduct/Fees and Notarial Acts/Documentation — together they account for 67.5% of your scored questions.
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the California Notary exam.
California-Specific Exam Tips
1. Prioritize Misconduct and Fees
With 37.5% of the exam devoted to this single topic, you cannot afford to skim it. Know the fee schedule cold, understand every prohibited act, and memorize the "Notario Publico" advertising rule. Many candidates focus too heavily on notarial acts and underestimate how much misconduct content appears on the test.
2. 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
3. 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
4. Do Not Ignore Immigration Topics
Immigration/Foreign Language is a full 10% of the exam. Many candidates skip this area entirely. Know the $15-per-individual fee limit for immigration forms and the strict prohibition on using "Notario Publico" or similar foreign-language equivalents.
5. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | California Requirement |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 45 (40 scored + 5 unscored) |
| Passing score | 70 scaled score |
| Education | 6 hours |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $15,000 |
| Max fee per signature | $15 |
| Max fee per immigration form | $15 per individual |
| Journal retention | 10 years |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating Misconduct/Fees — This is 37.5% of the exam; give it the most study time
- 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
- Overlooking immigration topics — 10% of scored questions cover immigration forms and foreign language rules
- Not knowing the "Notario Publico" rule — This prohibition appears across multiple topic areas
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.
Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ California law specifics (Government Code, Civil Code)
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.