Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.
How to renew notary license in California, in short
California has no shortcut for current notaries. You meet the education, exam and fingerprint rules again for each 4-year term, and only the course is shorter: a 3-hour refresher instead of 6 hours, and only if you apply before your commission expires.[4][6]
Timing is the trap. The law sets no first day to apply, but the Secretary of State advises taking the exam at least six months before your commission expires to avoid a gap, and the new commission is issued no sooner than 30 days before the old one ends.[3][7] Your course certificate and exam result each stay valid for a limited time, so they have to line up.[4][3]
California rules side by side with other states: how to renew a notary commission. Other states: New York notary renewal, Texas notary renewal, Florida notary renewal, Illinois notary renewal, Colorado notary renewal, North Carolina notary renewal, New Jersey notary renewal, Georgia notary renewal, Pennsylvania notary renewal.
California notary renewal requirements
This table is what California Secretary of State and Cal. Gov. Code §§8201, 8201.1, 8204, 8206, 8207, 8209, 8212, 8213, 8213.5, 8213.6 say, read on 2026-11-15. Where they say nothing, the row says so instead of guessing.
| Commission term | 4 years from the date in the commission.[10] (Gov. Code §8204) |
|---|---|
| Earliest day to apply | The law sets no earliest day. The Secretary of State advises taking the exam at least 6 months before expiration to avoid a gap; exam results are good for 1 year and the new commission is issued no sooner than 30 days before the old one ends.[3][7] |
| State fee | $40 exam and application processing fee, paid at the exam site ($20 to retest after failing). Live Scan fingerprinting has a processing fee plus the Live Scan site's own fee; no amount is printed.[5][9] |
| Bond | A $15,000 surety bond from an admitted surety insurer, filed with your oath at the county clerk of your principal place of business.[10][8] (Gov. Code §§8212, 8213) |
| Course to renew | Required again: a 3-hour refresher course from a provider on the Secretary of State's list, but only if you apply before your current commission expires. After it expires you need the 6-hour course.[4][3] (Gov. Code §8201(b)) |
| Exam to renew | Yes: you take and pass the state exam again for every reappointment.[3][5] (Gov. Code §8201) |
| Fingerprints or background check | Yes: new Live Scan fingerprints (Department of Justice and FBI) for every commission term, taken after you pass the exam and within 1 year of the exam date.[6] (Gov. Code §8201.1) |
| Oath | File your oath and bond with the county clerk of your principal place of business within 30 calendar days of the commission start date. The 30 days cannot be extended, and the commission does not take effect until both are filed.[8][10] (Gov. Code §8213(a)) |
| Seal or stamp | A notary seal from a manufacturer the Secretary of State authorizes, showing your name, county, commission expiration date and ID numbers, so each new commission needs a new seal. Keep it locked.[10] (Gov. Code §8207) |
| Journal | Yes. One active sequential journal of every notarial act, kept locked under your control.[10] (Gov. Code §8206) |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Check with the California Secretary of State. |
California notary renewal exam, fee and filing
The exam and application processing fee is $40, paid at the exam site; a score of 70 or more passes.[5] After you pass, Live Scan fingerprints go to the Department of Justice and the FBI; the Live Scan site adds its own fee.[6][9] When the commission arrives, you file the oath and a $15,000 bond with the county clerk of your principal place of business within 30 calendar days. That deadline cannot be extended, and the commission does not take effect until both are filed.[8][10]
How to renew a California notary commission, step by step
California renewal is 5 steps, in this order.[2][3][7][8]
- Take a 3-hour refresher course (or a 6-hour course) from a provider on the Secretary of State's list while your commission is still active.
- Register for the state exam and take it, ideally 6 months or more before expiration; bring your application, a 2x2 photo, the course certificate and the $40 fee.
- After you pass, get Live Scan fingerprints.
- Wait for the commission packet; the new commission is issued no sooner than 30 days before the old one ends.
- Buy a $15,000 bond and a new seal, then file the oath and bond with the county clerk within 30 days of the new start date.
You apply to California Secretary of State yourself: California notary page. The state decides the application and its timing.
If your California commission already expired
If your commission expires before you are reappointed, the 3-hour refresher no longer counts: you take the 6-hour course, apply, pass the exam and get new Live Scan fingerprints. If you are not reappointed within 30 days of expiration, your journals go to the county clerk within 30 days.[3][10]
After a lapse: course yes, 6 hours[4][3]; exam required[4][3].
Name or address change during your commission
Address or business change: notify the Secretary of State within 30 days by certified mail or another receipted delivery. Name change: file the Name Change Application, then a new oath and bond amendment and a new seal within 30 days of the amended commission.[3][10] (Gov. Code §§8213.5, 8213(c), 8213.6)
Electronic and remote online notarization: Not yet: California notarizations need personal appearance. The Online Notarization Act (SB 696) starts when the Secretary of State's system is ready, and no later than January 1, 2030.[3]
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take the exam again to renew my California notary?
Is the 3-hour California notary refresher course enough?
Only if you apply for reappointment before your current commission expires and you have completed the 6-hour course at least once. After expiration you need the 6-hour course again.[4]
How early should I renew my California notary commission?
Sources
- Notary Public
- Qualifications (notary public checklist)
- Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions
- Checklist: Complete approved education
- Checklist: Take the exam
- Checklist: Fingerprints
- Checklist: Commission packet
- Checklist: Oath and bond
- Notary forms, services and fees
- 2026 Notary Public Handbook (includes the Government Code text)