California Secretary of State
Become a notary in California
Notaries in California are commissioned by the California Secretary of State. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. California publishes an official active-notary listing (inactive and revoked names are omitted from that file).
Where to register
Applications go to the California Secretary of State. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.
Commissioning page
California Secretary of State
https://www.sos.ca.gov/notaryOfficial lookup
Official lookup for commissioned notaries in California.
https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/notary-public-listing
Requirements
What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.
- Age
- Be 18 years of age or older. The SOS qualifications page says there is no maximum age set by statute.
- Residency
- Be a legal California resident.
- Education
- Complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State.
- Exam
- Pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State.
- Fingerprints
- All applicants are fingerprinted as part of a background check. The SOS says fingerprint instructions are mailed to applicants who pass the examination.
- Term
- The Secretary of State grants four-year commissions.
How to get started
Read Become a Notary Public
The SOS qualifications page lists age, residency, approved education, the written exam, and fingerprinting.
Take an approved education course
Courses must cover the material needed to pass the written examination. The SOS approves vendors.
Pass the SOS written exam, then fingerprints
Fingerprinting happens after you pass. Disclose arrests and convictions as the application requires.
Check current processing dates
The SOS posts current Notary Public application processing times on their site. Do not guess a wait from this page.
Register on StampSide
After you use the California Secretary of State site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the California directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
Processing time
The California Secretary of State publishes current Notary Public application processing dates on their Notary Public site. Confirm the date shown there.
Tools after you apply
Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.
Stamp or seal
Only a Secretary of State–permitted manufacturer may produce a California notary seal. Present a Certificate of Authorization. StampSide cannot sell a generic CA stamp.
California SOS seal manufacturersMore suppliers
Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.
StampSide supplies list
More official pages
Register, then getting started
StampSide does not commission you — the California Secretary of State does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
After you are commissioned
Appear in the California directory. Closers and the public still confirm standing on the official site.
Other jurisdictions: all state guides · quiz · Train your eye.