Are you Re-Commissioning?
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To recommission every four years, you must:
Take a Notary Refresher Course & the State Exam.
You can complete your course in our LIVE CLASS & SAME DAY EXAM or take the course ONLINE.
Live Class & SAME-DAY STATE EXAM Options
- You are allowed to take a full 6-hr class or you may choose to take a 3-hr class if your commission is not yet expired.
All of our
6-hr classes also include the 3-hr class option for re-commissioning notaries. The 6-hr class begins at
9:00 am and the 3-hr class begins at
1:00 pm.
These are known as the
"6-hr/3-hr combination classes" with the exam proctors arriving at 4:15 pm at all class locations..
We also offer a limited number of
3-hr only classes 1:00pm - 4:15pn There is no 6-hr option at these locations but exam proctors arrive at 4:15 pm for testing.
If you cannot find a
suitable date and location for a
3-hr only class, you will find many more locations at our
"6-hr/3-hr combination class" locations.
- If you register for a 3-hr class at one of the locations which also offer a 6-hr class,
you can choose to attend either the 3-hr class or come in early for the 6-hr class.
- You also need to complete a new live-scan, a new application and a photo. This service is available at all class locations, however, classes in Central California (San Jose, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco) might not have
live scans available after 10 am, depending on class size. All other locations should have live scan services available for both the 6-hr and the 3-hr classes.
- The State Notary Examination is always held in our classroom location immediately following all 6-hr or 3-hr classes. All registrants are automatically registered for the State Notary Exam.
Online Options
- You are also allowed to take the notary course online at your computer. IMPORTANT: THE STATE NOTARY EXAM MUST BE TAKEN IN-PERSON ONLY!
- Once you register for our state-approved online notary course, you may register at no additional charge from us to take the state notary exam at any of our class locations at 4:15pm.
Since the Secretary of State limits the number of examinees in each session, you must call us at 909-915-1201 when you are ready in order to take your exam at one of our class locations. We need to ensure that you are on the exam roster.
PLEASE CONSIDER TAKING THE 6-HOUR CLASS IN-PERSON, EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
The notary exam can cover all kinds of notary-related legislation, especially laws and proceedures that we do not otherwise never think about when we do every-day Acknowledgments and Jurats.
Any of these topics below which are typically unfamiliar to recommissioning notaries - even after many commissions - can be on the exam. This notary exam is not the same exam you took four (4) years ago. Be ready to
pass the first time around.
These are just a few...please consider taking the live 6-hour live class that includes the 100% Pass Guarantee.
Did you know...?
- CA Notaries must require evidence of the signer's date of birth for an Affidavit of Identity or similar when used for immigration.
- PROBATE CODE (not Civil Code) allows a notary to certify that a Copy of a Power of Attorney is a true copy and that certified Copy is then treated as though it is the original POA.
- CA Notaries must state in all printed advertisements (except a single desk plaque) that they are not an attorney if advertising notary services in any foreign language.
- CA Notaries may not charge fees for notarizing a Circulator's Affidavit.
- Oral communication between the signer and the notary is not required but all communication, whether oral or in writing, must be in a language shared by both. Translated communication is not legal.
- CA Notaries are NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED to use CA Acknowledgment Certificates for out-of-state documents.
- CA Notaries must always ensure that documents requiring Jurats use proper California Jurat wording, even if it is being returned to another state or country.
- CA Notaries are required to turn all journals into the County Clerk's office if they do not seek a new commission term or if there is a 30 day lapse in their commission, otherwise they keep all notary journals from the first commission to the last.
- CA Notaries may take the notary exam up to 1-year before their current commission expires but may take the notary course up to 2-years early. The new commission is sent 30 days prior to the expiration of the current commission expiration date.
The absolute FASTEST way to recommission
is to
take a 6-hour in-person notary class and same-day exam.
If you really are interested in saving as much time as possible in getting your commission, do yourself a big favor...take the live class.
You can do everything...everything in one place on the
same day!
- Everything you need to do to become a notary is done in 1-day at our 6-hour in-person class
- You will complete the notary application on the day of the class.
- You will be able to submit your fingerprints via live-scan on the day of the class
- You will automatically be registered to take the state notary exam on the day of the class.
- If you choose to take the course online, our 6-hour on-line notary course can be converted at no extra charge to a live 6-hour class at any time up to 90 days from purchase.
- You will take the course at home and will be allowed to take the exam at any of our class locations once you are ready to take the exam. Pre-registration for the exam is required because of seating limitations.
- Once you have completed the on-line course, you will receive a Proof of Completion which you need to take with you to take the notary exam.
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FUN FACTS
You may find useful to know for the Notary Exam.
Let us help to make your examination process easy! Our instructors are fun, thorough and will cover everything you need to know in just 1-day. You can even get prepared in advance, if you like. Start today, right now! Register for a notary class and
you get immediate access to hours of videos, sample exams, online games and lots of printed study materials in the student log-in at the top of any webpage on our site.
Have fun with us in our class and be confident for the exam,
especially if you have absolutely no prior knowledge of notary proceedures. Check out some of the things we will cover in our class in detail.
Can I notarize a copy of a passport?
Most people think that notaries in California notarize documents, but in California, that is not exactly true! California notaries only notarize signatures on
documents, not documents. This means that Notaries in California are not allowed to notarize copies of passports, a driver's license, birth certificates,
death certificates or marriage certificates. If anyone presents a document to a notary that has no requirement to be signed, there is simply nothing to notarize.
Why can't I call myself a notario público if I speak Spanish?
In Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico,
a notary must be an attorney. That is why it is illegal for a California notary to translate their Notary Public title into Spanish on any advertising including business cards or business signs.
What is a Credible Witness?
There are times when someone needs to have something notarized but they do not have a valid driver's license or passport, or other type of identifying document to prove their identity (just changed their name due to marriage for example). In California, even if the notary knows the signer personally, the notary may not use that personal knowledge for identification, but there is a very easy solution. The signer can ask two friends not associated with the document, to swear an oath to the notary that they know that the person signing the document is the same person named in the document. The notary uses the oaths from these two people as acceptable identification.
What if they do not really know the signer? As odd as it may seem, these two people do not need to provide any other evidence that they do know the signer, but these two people must have their own identification document and the notary must record the identification from these two friends into the notary journal. These two people must also sign the notary's journal. Since the notary is simply relying on the "credibility" of the oath, we call these two people "Credible Witnesses". Credible Witnesses are a substitute form of identification when a signer does not have or cannot obtain another form of identification.
Am I allowed to notarize a document in a foriegn language, even if I cannot read the document?
Absolutely! Notaries in California notarize signatures, not documents so if someone presents
a document in a language that the notary is not familiar with, the notary is permitted to notarize the signature anyway. Of course, keep in mind two things: the notary must be able to communicate with the signer in a language both understand
because interpreters are not allowed to be used, and the notarial certificate must be in English.
Are California notaries permitted to use the Matricula Consular Identification ID card?
In California, notaries are allowed to use a Matricula Consular ID card from the Mexican Consulate for identification as long as it has a signature, photograph and physical description...If it does not have all of those features, they cannot be used for identification after all.
Will I get a new commission number when I obtain a new commission term?
The notary commission is good for 4 years. The notary receives a new commission number for each new commission term!
Do I need to turn my notary journal into the County Clerk when my 4-year commission term is over?
A California notary does not start a new journal when they begin a new commission unless the old one is full. If the notary is not re-newing the commission, then all journals taken during the notary's career must be submitted to the County Clerk's office within 30 days of expiration. If the notary is renewing, they just continue to use the journal until full, then start a new one.
Exactly where on the document do I place the notary seal?
The notary's seal actually identifies the notary so a California notary seal impression can only be placed in close proximity to the notary's signature. It is never allowed to be placed anywhere on any document except directly next to or directly underneath of the notary's signature.
When is a notary required to charge fees?
The only type of notary that must charge fees for notarial services are Public Entity notaries who have received their commission from thier Public Entity employer.
The only time a Public Entity notary is not permitted to charge is when required to notarize pension-related documents on behalf of that employer.
Can I use a Proof of Execution for Deed of Reconveyance?
This proceedure is not as difficult as some notaries think. We cover this carefully in our notary class, but to answer this specific question, a Deed of Reconveyance is issued when a borrower has satisfied all of the requiremnts of the Note and the property has been paid in
full. A Deed of Reconveyance is a docuemnt that does not require a thumbprint in the journal during notarization, so a Proof of Execution can be done with this by completing a Subscribing Witness Jurat Certificate in place of the Acknowledgment.
While this is true, the likelihood if this being required is very remote, but there are lots of other types of documents which may also use this process. This is just one one of the many types of documents we can apply this proceedure,
but never on a Deed of Trust, a Power of Attorney or a Property Transfer document or any document requiring a Jurat.
Who do I notify if I change my address in the next 4 years?
Since the Secretary of State must always know how to contact a notary, should any of the addresses change from the date the notary commission is effecive,
but the notary may choose to take that extra step, and if so, will need to file the oath and copy of the bond with that new County clerk.
It only takes one day to complete your requirements to become a notary in our live 6-hr notary seminars.
The Notary Seminar Fee is $89.9579.95
This $89.9579.95
give you so much more than just a great seminar and notary exam preparation.
Once you register, you can log into the student link above in red letters and begin today...right now. Your registration fee includes:
- Absolutely free access for a full year to watch or listen to the entire online video course. This is NOT a recording of an actual notary seminar . it is a fully developed and independent set of 18 videos that covers the information in a completely different format. This is an awesome way to prepare before you attend the seminar if you like to do that sort of thing or to go back when you need help with actual notarizing later. Watch on your computer or
listen to all of them right from your smart phone whenever you like.
Log in to student login at the top right side of any page to access these immediately after registering for your notary class.
- A 30-Minute Notary Prep Study Guide to print and other printable guides;
- Online Notary Practice Games including Notary Jeopardy, Flash Cards, Match and more.
Aside from the seminar fee of $89.9579.95
, registering for the 6-hour notary seminar or the 3-hour refresher is the only way to qualify to purchase our Super-Discounted Notary Supply Package.
Your seminar fee comes with a fantastic $100 discount for the Notary Supplies & Services- Discounted from $183 down to just
$89.9579.95
available now to add to your cart. You are not requred to purchase this, but you will need much of these supplies anyway.
If you attend our 6-hour notary seminar and do not pass the exam, you will be able to retake the seminar and exam up to two additional times with us at no charge. If, after these attempts within 150 days of taking the initial seminar and same-day notary exam you do not pass the exam you may request a full refund for the entire amount you paid for your seminar as well as any notary supplies purchased from us during that time.
Our classes are fun, packed with information you need even after you pass the notary exam, easy to understand even if English is not your first language and our instructors personally care about helping you to pass the notary exam. Let us prove it to you. Be sure to take advantage of all of the pre-seminar study tools we have available for you including the online videos, sample exams, games, pre-seminar guides. There is always live support available 9-5 M-F except for holidays so we are here when you need help or you can chat with our friendly chat bot, Notary Nick on the home page whenever you need help, 24/7.">guarantee* so take advantage and save today!
This unique package includes your notary stamp (seal), your official notary journal and thumbprint pad, your
personal Notary Identification Badge with your picture and notary commission information, fill-and-print Acknowledgment and Jurat forms, the very popular 31 Notary Forms CD, a
free listing on the Notary Search Engine and more.
This special package
is available at checkout when you register for the seminar but it is not available in our notary store or anywhere else online. You MUST be one of our students to take advantage of this package.
Take the notary exam
$40
-Required but to pay only on the day of the seminar-
Some additional requirements you should know.
Passport Photo
$10
-Will be taken on the day of the seminar - payable now or then with cash, check or credit card.-
Livescan
$80
- Payable on the day of the seminar or you may use a different provider-
You also get an option for our
$50 discount to the Certified Loan Signing Class -
If you want to go on to become a Certified Notary Loan Signing Agent, we can help in a big way! On the day of the seminar, we can give you a
$50 discount to the Loan Signing Certification Class. For those students wanting to start their own notary loan signing business, take the class, then take this exam at home.
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APN Loan Signing Agent Certification Class
If you take our Notary Class and Same-Day Exam at any of our locations, you qualify to register for the Loan Signing Certification Class for just $100! You will have the opportunity to submit and pay for your
discounted registration anytime during the day of your notary class.
A Certified Loan Signer is a Notary who has passed Certification qualification which is meant to demonstrate that they have acquired specific knowledge about
the unique Notarial requirements especially related to Loan Documents. Most Certified Loan Signers are independent entrepreneurs who typically start off their business by charging between $80 to $120 per Loan Signing assignment, but experienced certified Loan Signers will charge as much as $250 per assignment and a busy Loan Signer will have 2-3 appointments in a day.
This makes a terrific opportunity to start your own full-time or part-time business that you can set any schedule you like.
Most Certified Loan Signing Notaries also provide additional mobile Notary services for hospitals, convalescent centers, estate planning attorneys and directly to individual clients at a coffee shop or their homes, although those fees are usually much less than for Loan Signing documents. Still, the combination of the two can be quite satisfying for a Notary that operates their own business and comes with the tax advantages of business owners as well.
It is currently taking the Secretary of State about 5 weeks from the date of the Notary Exam to complete the Notary Commissioning process. During that time, you can begin preparation to start your own Notary business by becoming Certified as a Notary who specializes in Notarizing loan documents. Notaries who specialize in providing services to lenders, escrow companies, title companies and Loan Signing agencies will need to demonstrate to these potential clients that they have become familiar with the unique protocol and documentation specific to Loan Documents.
We have a Loan Signing Certification Class available and you can take that class anytime, but we highly recommend you take that class during the 5-weeks you are waiting for your Commission to arrive.
How to become a certified Loan Signing Notary after you take the Notary class:
- Take the Loan Signing Certification Course
- If you register for the Loan Signing Course on the day of your live Notary Class and Exam, we offer a $50 discount from our regular price of $150 so you only pay $100.
- After the loan signing class,you will take the Certification Exam at home on-line. There is no extra charge to take the Exam.
- Upon passing the exam, we will send your Certification to you.
- We suggest that you take this class while you are waiting for your Notary Commission to arrive so you will have both ready to go when you start your Notary business.
Our Loan Signing Class also helps you with starting your own Notary business
- The class includes a listing of around 90 different companies to start your advertising.
- A discussion of how to get started with mobile Notary clients like estate planning attorneys and hospitals.
Please note: We NEVER, EVER provide a Certified Loan Signing Class on the day of the Notary Class and Exam and we will NEVER do that. To offer a Loan Signing Class immediately after the preparation class for the Notary Exam taking the Notary Exam itself would be unprofessional,
in our opinion- and is absolutely NOT advantageous to those of you who are trusting us to help you with starting a successful loan signing or mobile nnotary business.
Our Certified Loan Signing Classes are always held from 9:00AM - 4:00PM and usually on a Sunday to avoid week-day traffic and work-related schedules for most people.
You may choose to take a Loan Signing Class any day after the Notary Exam with us, even the next day if the class is available. We do not believe that taking 2 or 3 hour Loan Signing Class at the end of a day of exam preparation is not to your benefit in any way.
We do offer a Loan Signing Home-Study course as an option, be we highly recommend the Live Class over the Home-Study. In either case, you will take the Certification Exam at home and it is open-book.
Here are the options for taking the Loan Signing Certification Course:
- If you are taking a Notary Class with us, wait until the day of your Notary Class so you can receive a $50 discount to register for this Loan Signing Class for the discounted rate of $100!
- If you are not taking a Notary Class with us, you can register for the loan signing class here for $150.
- If you prefer to just read the text and then take the certification exam without going to a class, you can purchase the online Loan Signing Course here.
Your Certification exam is always taken at home and is open-book.
Log-in here when you are ready to take your Loan Signing Certification exam.
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About the Notary Practical Application Workshop
Congratulations!
You passed the Notary exam and received your Notary Commission and now you are ready to Notarize! Awesome, but now what? Don’t start Notarizing before you take this class.
- Do you know what to do if….?
- The signer’s name on the document does not exactly match the name on the ID?
- The Acknowledgment or Jurat forms wording does not include the proper California wording? (Do not just add a loose certificate unless you have to!)
- The Notarial certificate is missing altogether and the client does not know which Notary protocol to use? (Do not make the selection for the client!)
- The signer is signing documents using a Power of Attorney for someone else?
- The signer needs to use credible witnesses for identification? (Do not just turn them away! It is very easy to use Credible Witnesses.)
- The thumbprint in the journal is smeared or not readable?
- The document requires you to give a Jurat oath or affirmation?
- A client needs help to obtain an Apostille for international documents?
- The document is in a language you cannot understand?
- The signer needs a copy of a Passport Notarized or Certified? (Be careful on this one especially!)
- The document needs a Copy Certification by Document Custodian procedure.
- How to record all of the required information in the journal when you used two credible witnesses? (Easy to do if you know how.)
- This 3-hour Practical Application Workshop will help you get your confidence built up fast! You will spend 3 hours Notarizing all kinds of documents in all sorts of situations including…
- some common Loan Signing documents,
- Power of Attorney,
- Affidavits,
- Grant Deeds going to another state,
- Copy Certification by Document Custodian and lots more.
We encourage mistakes in this class so you will avoid those mistakes later.
There are no exams in this class. It is 100% PRACTICAL APPLICATION EXPERIENCE using real documents, real Notary Seals, real Journals and using oaths for Jurats, Credible Witnesses and a lot more.
Know what to do and how to do it before you make mistakes and lose clients or worse.
This 3-hour Notary Practical Application Workshop is the class EVERY NEW NOTARY should take. It is open to anyone, even if you took your Notary class with another company.
See the Practical Application Notary Workshop Schedule here. Class is always 1:30pm – 4:30pm. $75
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About the 6 Hour and 3 Hour California Notary Seminar
Once you register for a 6-hour or 3-hour live notary class, you will have immediate access
to all of our study videos and study guides if you want to start preparing today.
You can start studying at home today. We have hours of videos, on-line notary exam-prep games, on-line sample notary exams,
and printable study guides to prepare for the exam - all included when you register for a notary class.
As soon as you complete registration, log-in here to access all of these study tools.
Here is a short video to learn about becoming a notary in California, or you can find a summary below.
Fees to know about:
| $89.9579.95
| All Notary seminars and on-line Notary courses both 6-hour and 3-hour (pay upon registration today); |
| $10.00 | 2”x2” passport-style photo (payable now upon registration or on the day of the class); |
| $40.00 | State exam and application fee (payable by check or money order to the Secretary of State on the day of the class & same-day exam); |
| $80.00 | Live Scan for the Notary Application - Includes DOJ, FBI and Live-Scan fee; (payable by check, credit card or cash only on the day of the class & same-day exam). |
We have a $100+ discount for Notary supplies only available for persons taking our Notary course
You can purchase supplies now upon registration. This purchase is refundable
with our 100% Pass the Exam Guanrantee!
Purchase now and your notary supplies package will be ready for you to pick up on the day of the class.
The $100+ Discounted Notary Supplies Package is available only to our seminar registrants and includes all of the following:
- Your Official State Notary Public Seal ($24 value)
- An Official Notary Journal ($24 value)
- The thumbprint pad for obtaining thumbprints in the journal($6 value)
- Your Notary Identification Badge ($25 value)
- A package of 50 Acknowledgments ($12 value)
- A package of 50 Jurats ($12 value)
- Two Notary Oath Cards (wallet size) ($10 value)
- A Free listing on our exclusive notary & loan signing advertising platform -The Notary List ($55 value)
- And the Essential 31 Notary Forms CD - available as a download as well. ($15 value)
- Our students also receive a $50 discount for the Loan Signing Certification class if you are interested in starting your own notary business.
No other company comes close to the savings and the terrific service we provide all the way through your commissioning process.
Here is how our 100% Pass Guarantee works: No hassles .... no problems... you will pass the notary exam and we guarantee it!
If you register for and attend our 6-hour notary seminar and do not pass the exam, retake the seminar and exam up to two additional times with us at no charge.
The Secretary of State will charge $20 to take the exam, but if after these attempts within 150 days of taking the initial seminar and same-day notary exam you do not pass the exam,
we will refund 100% the amount you paid today for your seminar as well as all of the notary supplies purchased from us today or at the seminar.
We are proud to say that NO ONE - in the almost 20 years of the history of our business has ever needed to take advantage of this!
That is a terrific endorsement for the quality of our classes.
Legal requirements to become a Notary in California
To become a Notary Public, California requires:
- The applicant to be at least 18 years old;
- Have a primary residence address in California and a Social Security number;
- Take either state-approved notary course in-person or online;(We offer both but we strongly encourage taking a live class).
- Pass a 30-question multiple choice exam – the exam must be taken in-person at an approved exam location (all of our locations are approved);
- Pass a DOJ and FBI criminal background investigation via live-scan fingerprints specifically for the Notary Public application.(Available with us on the day of the class & exam).
Steps to take to become a Notary Public in California
- If you are not currently a California notary public, you must first, take state-approved 6-hour notary course;
- You can register for a live-class here.
- Or you can take the course on-line (We offer both but we strongly encourage taking a live class).
The Secretary of State is currently taking from 5-6 weeks to grant notary commissions.
How to Renew your Notary Commission in California
- If you are a current California notary public, you should start your re-commissioning process around 4 months before your current commission expires. If you are not sure when it expires, check the expiration date on your notary seal. To recommission, you can choose to take a live 6-hour or a 3-hour course; (We offer both but we strongly encourage taking the 6-hour class regardless of how long you have been a notary.)
- If you do take the 3-hour course, you must also pass the exam (in-person only) before your current commission expires or that 3 hour course will not be valid and you will need to take the entire 6 hour course.
- You can also choose to take the on-line.
Our 6-hour live-classes includes with a 100% Pass-Guarantee
- Everything you need to do to become a notary is done in 1-day at our 6-hour in-person class
- You will complete the notary application on the day of the class.
- You will be able to submit your fingerprints via live-scan on the day of the class
- You will automatically be registered to take the state notary exam on the day of the class.
- Our 6-hour on-line notary course can be converted at no extra charge to a live 6-hour class at any time up to 90 days from purchase.
- You will take the course at home and will be allowed to take the exam at any of our class locations once you are ready to take the exam. Pre-registration for the exam is required because of seating limitations.
- Once you have completed the on-line course, you will receive a Proof of Completion which you need to take with you to take the notary exam.
- Rescheduling a class.
- The SOS limits us on the number of seats we are allowed to have occupied in any class for the state exam.
Hey-things happen...we get it. You can reschedule your class once, but you can reschedule your class FOR FREE
as long as you do that 7 days before your class date. If you need to reschedule within 7 days of your class date, the rescheduling fee is $30. If you do not show up to a class that you
have been registed in, and have not rescheduled pror to the class date, your fees for the class are forfieted. We cannot waive the rescheduling fee for any reason other than documented emergencies like fire, flood,
auto accident or hospitalization. No other exception apply. If you need to reschedule, please do so before the 7 days prior to the class date to avoid the $30 rescheduling fee. If you need to reschedule your class, you can
do that from the student services link or call us at 909-915-1201.
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