“6-Hour Course of Study”

Everyone is required to complete a Secretary of State approved course of study. For new notaries, there is a 6-hour course. Renewing notaries have the option of choosing a 3-hour course.

For new notaries, the 6-hour course may be completed in person at a training center or seminar, or it may be competed online. The online courses satisfies the requirement for becoming a new notary.

The 6-hour online course is a little bit different on different websites. Some websites look professional and charge more money for the course. However, all of the courses will contain the same basic information.

The best deal is $30 for a 6-hour online course. The website issues a Proof of Completion instantly, as soon as the course itself is completed.

Go to https://calnotaryclass.com.

“Eligibility Requirements”

The California Secretary of State administers the notary public program. It’s basic eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • 18+
  • Resident
  • Background check
  • Submit proof of completion for an approved 6-hour training course
  • Submit proof of completion for a written exam

If the background check, training course, and written exam are passed, then the Secretary of State will appoint the applicant as a new notary public.

A passport photo and fingerprint will also be required.

Go to https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/qualifications/.

“Passport Photo“

Everyone is required to submit a passport photo along with the Notary Public Application form. The standard passport photo is as follows:

  • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
  • Full color photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
  • Use a plain white background
  • No glasses, hats, uniforms, or camouflage
  • Neutral face

It’s possible to take and print a passport photo at home. Post Offices and pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens provide passport photo services for $15. Costco charges $5.

Additional information about passport photos is available at the U.S. Department of State website. There are examples of good photos as well as a video tutorial.

Go to https://travel.state.gov/photos.

Go to https://youtu.be/WkKVjEUxIYM?list=PL46BAEAFF21D8B01C.

“Acknowledgement Certificate”

The certificate of acknowledgment is the most frequent type of notarization. The certificate of acknowledgement says, “this person, X, acknowledges having signed this document.”

The document may have been signed years prior to the present notarization—that’s fine. A document signed in 2005 may be brought by the signer for notarization in 2019.

The certificate of acknowledgment is a physical certificate to be issued at the time of notarization. The certificate must follow a standard form.

California Civil Code section 1189

At the top of the certificate, there must be a black box enclosing the following statement:

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

Sometimes, a document packet contains a suggested “certificate of acknowledgement”; however, if the statutory wording is not precisely correct, a notary public should refuse the suggested form. Use and attach a proper certificate to the document in place of the suggested form.

Go to https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1189.