By Notary Approved · Published 2025-01-15 · Updated 2026-07-02
If you are thinking about becoming a California notary public, one of the first questions you probably have is: how much is this going to cost me? The good news is that becoming a notary is one of the most affordable professional credentials you can earn. Here is every cost broken down so there are no surprises.
The state requires all first-time applicants to complete an approved 6-hour education course. Prices vary by provider and range from $49 to $150 depending on whether the course is self-paced online or live in-person. Online courses tend to be the most affordable option and let you study on your own schedule.
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All applicants must pass a state-administered written exam through CPS HR Consulting. The fee is $40 for the first attempt and $20 for any retakes. The exam has 45 questions and requires a 70% passing score.
After passing the exam, you will need to complete a Live Scan background check. The state processing fee is $35, plus a rolling fee of approximately $25 charged by the Live Scan location. Many UPS Stores offer this service.
California requires all notaries to file a $15,000 surety bond with their county clerk within 30 days of receiving their commission. Despite the large dollar amount, the actual cost of the bond is typically only $30 to $50 for the full four-year commission term.
Your official notary seal must be purchased from a Secretary of State-authorized manufacturer, whose list comes in your commission packet.
California law requires you to maintain one active sequential journal of all notarial acts. These are available at office supply stores and online.
E&O insurance is not required by the state but is strongly recommended, especially if you plan to work as a loan signing agent. It protects you personally if a notarization error results in a legal claim.
The most common way to keep costs at the lower end is to choose an affordable online education course and handle each step individually rather than purchasing a bundled package.
Start your affordable online 6-hour course today →
Notary Approved is a notary public education vendor approved by the California Secretary of State (New Notary 6-Hour Education: Approval ID 608495; Renewing Notaries 3-Hour Education: Approval ID 308494). Approval means the courses are authorized for the applicable education requirement. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of NotaryApproved by the California Secretary of State.