What to do
A Notary Public is an official appointed by the Secretary of State and authorized to serve the public as an unbiased witness when performing many legal formalities relating to the drafting or certifying contracts, deeds, and other official documents. These official acts are called notarizations or notarial acts. A notary public must file an oath of office and bond with the county clerk's office in the county where their principal place of business is located. This must be done within 30 calendar days from the commencement date of the commission. The 30-day period cannot be extended.
In-Person
In-Person
1. Go to Office of the County Clerk
An appointment for Notary Services is not required.
2. Bring documents with you
- Original Commission Certificate issued by the CA Secretary of State
- Original Notary Bond for $15,000 (bond must have wet signature)
- Two (2) completed and unsigned Oath of Office forms (name on forms must match ID being presented)
- Government-issued identification
- Filing Fee
Note: Names on commission, bond, and oath must match exactly
3. Take Oath
4. Pay Fees
Statutes provide for filing the oath and bond by mail. It should be noted that the county processes documents in chronological order, but not necessarily on the date received due to the volume of documents. The oath and bond may be submitted to the county clerk before the commencement date of the commission and must be filed no later than 30 calendar days after the commencement date of the commission. It is recommended that the oath and bond be submitted in person to guarantee timely filing.
1. Go to a Notary Public
2. Bring documents to Notary
- Original Commission Certificate issued by the CA Secretary of State
- Two (2) completed and unsigned Oath of Office forms (name on forms must match ID being presented)
- Government-issued identification
- Notary Fee
Note: Names on commission, bond, and oath must match exactly
3. Send documents and fee to County Clerk by certified mail
- A photocopy of your Commission Certificate issued by the CA Secretary of State
- Original Notary Bond for $15,000 (bond must have wet signature)
- Two (2) completed Oath of Office forms signed by you and the notary that administered the oath.
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope
- Filing and Bond Recording Fee
Note: Names on commission, bond, and oath must match exactly
Note: It is the notary's responsibility to administer the oath, and sign and stamp the bottom portion of the oath. They cannot add a jurat or acknowledgment page, as neither authorizes an oath administration.
Special cases
How to become a Notary Public
How to become a Notary Public
To become a California Notary Public, you will need to contact the Secretary of State Notary Public Division for guidelines and registration as a new or renewing notary public:
By phone: (916) 653-3595
Surrender of Notary Journals
Surrender of Notary Journals
If any notary public resigns, is disqualified, removed from office, or allows their appointment to expire without obtaining reappointment within 30 days, all notarial records and papers shall be delivered within 30 days to the County Clerk of the county in which the notary public's current official oath of office is on file.
Send journal(s) and fees via Certified Mail to:
Office of the County Clerk
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 168
San Francisco, CA 94102
Important Note: The first page of each Notary Journal must be filled out with the notary name, commission number, expiration date, and address for identification and indexing purposes.
Get help
Office of the County Clerk
City Hall, Room 1601 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Mon to Fri,
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Processing Hours
Closed on public holidays
California Secretary of State
Notaries Public Filing Legal Information
Journal Surrender Legal Information
Notary Public Official Seal Legal Information
Last updated December 16, 2022