Last updated: April 5, 2026. Based on California Government Code §8206 and Secretary of State notary public handbook guidance.
California Notary Thumbprint: Quick Answer
California law requires a signer's thumbprint in the notary journal for specific document types and prohibits it for none — if the signer is willing, you may take a thumbprint for any notarization. But for the documents listed below, the thumbprint is mandatory.
Documents requiring a thumbprint (California Government Code §8206(a)):
| Document Type | Thumbprint Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power of attorney | Yes | All types of POA |
| Deed (grant deed) | Yes | Including grant deeds |
| Quitclaim deed | Yes | All quitclaim deeds |
| Deed of trust | Yes | Mortgage/security instruments |
| Any document affecting real property | Yes | Broad catch-all category |
| Deed of reconveyance (foreclosure decree) | No | Exempt when resulting from judicial foreclosure |
| Trustee's deed (nonjudicial foreclosure) | No | Exempt under GC 8206 |
| Affidavits, acknowledgments (general) | Only if signer agrees | Not mandatory, but permitted |
The Thumbprint Procedure: Step by Step
Getting the thumbprint right is a tested topic on the California Notary Exam. Here is the exact procedure:
- Use the signer's right thumb — this is the default requirement.
- Press the right thumb firmly onto the designated space in your sequential journal entry.
- If the right thumb is unavailable (injury, missing digit, etc.), use the left thumb.
- If neither thumb is available, use any other available finger.
- Note in the journal which finger was used if it was not the right thumb.
- If the signer physically cannot provide any fingerprint, write a detailed explanation in the journal entry — describe why no print could be obtained.
Common Thumbprint Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Skipping the thumbprint for a required document type | Violation of GC 8206; potential commission suspension |
| Using the left thumb without noting it | Journal entry is incomplete |
| Failing to document why no print was possible | Gaps in the journal record |
| Smudged or illegible print with no re-attempt | May not satisfy forensic requirements |
| Refusing a thumbprint for a non-required document when the signer wants one | You may always accept a voluntary thumbprint |
Why Thumbprints Matter in California
California requires thumbprints for real estate-related documents because they are the most common instruments used in property fraud schemes. A thumbprint provides:
- Unique biometric identification — no two people have the same fingerprint
- Forgery resistance — unlike signatures, prints cannot be convincingly forged
- Forensic evidence — law enforcement can use prints in criminal investigations
- Fraud deterrence — criminals are less likely to commit document fraud when a print is required
- Court evidence — prints have been decisive in real estate fraud prosecutions (including the widely cited Palm Springs murder-for-real-estate case)
Full Journal Requirements Under GC 8206
The thumbprint is just one piece of what California requires in your sequential journal. For every notarization, you must record:
| Journal Entry Field | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Date | Date of the notarial act |
| Time | Time of the notarial act |
| Type of act | Acknowledgment, jurat, copy certification, etc. |
| Document type/title | Character of every document notarized |
| Signer signature | Signature of each person whose signature is notarized |
| Identity verification statement | How identity was established (ID type, credible witness, etc.) |
| Fee charged | Dollar amount or "No Fee" / "0" |
| Thumbprint | Required for POAs, deeds, deeds of trust, and real property documents |
Sequential Journal Rules
California enforces strict journal discipline:
- Only one active sequential journal at a time — you may not maintain multiple concurrent journals
- Journal is your personal property — it does not belong to your employer, even if the employer paid for it
- You must keep the journal secure — locked when not in use
- You must retain journals for the entire commission and turn them in to the county clerk when you cease to be a notary (if required)
Journal Access and Public Requests
Members of the public can request copies of specific journal entries. Here are the rules:
| Request Type | Rule |
|---|---|
| Public copy request | Must be in writing, specifying which entry |
| Response deadline | 15 business days from receipt of request |
| Maximum fee | $0.30 per page |
| Peace officer seizure | Allowed with reasonable suspicion; notary receives receipt |
| SOS notification | If journal is seized, notify Secretary of State within 10 days |
You must comply with valid public requests. Failure to respond within 15 business days can result in a complaint against your commission.
Subscribing Witness Limitation
An important rule connects the thumbprint requirement to proof of execution by subscribing witness:
Proof of execution by subscribing witness CANNOT be used for documents that require a thumbprint.
This means you cannot use the subscribing witness method for powers of attorney, deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, or any document affecting real property. The signer must appear before you in person for these document types.
California Notary Fee Limits (2026)
California sets a maximum fee per notarial act:
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $15 per signature |
| Jurat | $15 per signature |
| Copy certification by document custodian | $15 per signature |
| Oath or affirmation | $15 per signature |
You may charge less or nothing at all. You may not charge more than the statutory maximum.
Remote Notarization: Not for Real Estate (Yet)
As of 2026, California has not authorized remote online notarization (RON) for real estate documents. This means:
- Documents requiring a thumbprint must be notarized in person
- The signer must appear physically before the notary
- No video or electronic substitutes are accepted for deed, POA, or real property document notarizations
If California changes its RON rules, the thumbprint requirement would still apply — the logistics of collecting a digital fingerprint would need to be addressed.
Thumbprint Checklist (Print and Keep)
Use this checklist every time you notarize a document that may require a thumbprint:
- Identify the document type (POA, deed, deed of trust, real property?)
- Confirm the document is NOT a deed of reconveyance or trustee's deed from foreclosure
- Obtain the signer's right thumbprint in the journal
- If right thumb unavailable, use left thumb or another finger
- Note which finger was used (if not the right thumb)
- If no print possible, write a detailed explanation in the journal
- Complete all other journal entry fields (date, time, act type, document title, signature, ID, fee)
- Verify the signer is NOT using a subscribing witness for a thumbprint-required document
Practice CTA
Preparing for the California Notary Exam? Thumbprint requirements are tested heavily.
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