Welcome to your notary seminar!

We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to learn from our 30 years of notary education experience.

Our team of Notary experts, are dedicated to providing comprehensive training and education to help you pass your state exam and become a successful notary. Whether you are new to the profession or looking to refresh your skills, our seminar is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to excel in your career. We are committed to helping you achieve your goals and look forward to working with you.

Your entire journey from Official Notary Education Seminar to taking your Oath of Office is mapped out in the tabs found on  this webpage.

State Approved Notary Seminar

Our Seminar is designed to meet the guidelines of the Secretary of State and satisfy the California Notary educational requirements.

The seminar includes a slide show and a workbook. As you study the slides answer questions in the workbook with the new information you are learning. Read the instructions in the Presentation to learn when you will find a question in your workbook.

Choose Your Workbook

Print your workbook before beginning the presentation or use the digital workbook.

Access the Presentation

The Presentation below will begin after pressing “Start Presentation.” Presentations will become available after the time allotted for each section has elapsed. The timer for the  next section will not begin until you access it. You may make the presentation full screen by using the  “⋮” in the bottom left of the presentation. Exit “Fullscreen” by pressing “ESC” on your keyboard. Progress will be saved, if you leave the page you can return to where you left off. Deleting your browsing data may reset your progress and private or incognito browsers will not save your progress.

California Notary Practice Exam

1 / 45

It shall be a _____ for any person who is not a duly commissioned, qualified, and acting Notary Public for the State of California to represent or hold himself or herself out to the Public or to any person as being entitled to act as a Notary Public. Fill in the blank.

2 / 45

A Notary Public charged a total of $45 for a notarization, $15 for an acknowledgment and $30 for a travel fee. However,
the Notary Public did not travel.  What is the maximum penalty for this violation?

3 / 45

If a private Notary agrees to limit their notarial services where she is employed, the transaction is called:

4 / 45

Angela Rochester is the CEO of Magnified Inc. She must sign a document in the capacity of her title and have it acknowledged. How can the Notary assist?

5 / 45

When accepting an ID card from another state, the ID card must have the following:

6 / 45

Wayne receives his commission while he is away on a business trip in South America. Upon his return, he finds his commission from the Secretary of State and sees that he missed the deadline to file his oath and bond. What should Wayne do?

7 / 45

A commissioned Notary Public completes an Acknowledgment having accepted a Social Security card as identification. In addition to the penalty incurred for stating true any material fact they know to be false, what is the penalty for this violation?

8 / 45

A commissioned Notary Public advertises their Notary services in Korean, they forget to include the requisite notice. What is the penalty for this violation?

9 / 45

Who is not allowed to assist someone with immigration forms?

10 / 45

Stella just got married and she and her husband are buying a house in San Francisco. The deal closed earlier than expected and Stella has not received her new driver’s license with her new name, Stella Brown. Yet, their loan documents indicate her new married name. What can she do?

11 / 45

A Proof of Execution by Subscribing Witness may be used for which one of these documents?

12 / 45

Being a CA Notary Public allows one to act as an immigration consultant in California because you have filed a bond with the state

13 / 45

A document signer must use a “Proof of Execution by Subscribing Witness” or “Subscribing Witness” when?

14 / 45

One credible witness is used because a document signer:

15 / 45

A Notary Public is guilty of a _____ if the Notary Public willfully fails to keep his or her Notary Public seal under the Notary Public’s direct and exclusive control or if the Notary Public willfully surrenders the Notary Public’s seal to any person not authorized to possess it. Fill in the blank.

16 / 45

A commissioned Notary Public completes a notarial certificate they know to be false in an attempt to steal the title to a house. What would the Notary be found guilty of?

17 / 45

What makes an acknowledgment authentic?

18 / 45

If a Notary commits or omits acts constituting suspension or revocation of their commission, they will have a right to a hearing unless:

19 / 45

All the following statements are true about the Notary seal except:

20 / 45

Every person who makes a false sworn statement to a Notary Public, with knowledge that the statement is false, to induce the Notary Public to perform an improper notarial act on an instrument or document affecting title to, or placing an encumbrance on, real property consisting of a single-family residence containing not more than four dwelling units is guilty of a _________.

21 / 45

A Commissioned Notary Public, has their commission suspended for becoming behind on child support, yet they continue to advertise their Notary services online. What is the maximum penalty for this violation?

22 / 45

What’s the difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?

23 / 45

A California Notary Public can notarize the signature on immigration form?

24 / 45

California Acknowledgment certificates must:

25 / 45

Aaron has filed his Oath of Office and bond with the county recorder’s office where he holds his principal place of business. Aaron is under oath for the duration of his commission to follow all Notary laws. If Arron falsifies a statement, verbally or in writing, he may be found guilty of:

26 / 45

If a Notary fails to notify the SOS about a name change or an address change, what is the penalty?

27 / 45

Why are two credible witnesses used instead of one?

28 / 45

What does the word “commission” mean as it relates to a Notary Public?

29 / 45

Nat Notary is presented with a written request for a copy of a line item in her journal; for a Notarization she did a few months back. It contains all the information necessary to provide the copy. How long does Nat Notary have to provide a photostatic copy?

30 / 45

A person may sign with a “mark” in place of a signature if that’s the only way they can sign. To correctly execute such a notarization, the following must be true:

31 / 45

An immigration consultant who is also a Notary may not advertise her Notary services. If in violation, the Secretary of State could:

32 / 45

A Notary is hired by a busy immigration services office to notarize immigration documents. In a window advertisement, the Notary's new employer adds the words "Notary Public on Duty" to “Immigration Document Services.” Could the Notary be held responsible for this violation?

33 / 45

A commissioned Notary Public completes an Acknowledgment and back dates the notarial wording because they were planning on doing the notarization for their boss the day before but got busy. In addition to the penalty incurred for stating true any material fact they know to be false, what is the penalty for this violation?

34 / 45

A Notary who willfully kept two journals and notarized at work in one journal and outside of work in the other would be guilty of a _______.  Fill in the blank.

35 / 45

A California Notary Public who is also a bonded immigration consultant may Notarize an immigration document that they helped complete?

36 / 45

An Acknowledgement indicates that:

37 / 45

According to the Secretary of State, what Notary act is most frequently completed by California Notaries?

38 / 45

The following journal information is required except:

39 / 45

A venue is legally required to appear on every notarial certificate. It is important because it indicates to the receiving agency the following?

40 / 45

Which method of ID is not acceptable?

41 / 45

Ronald asks you for a Jurat notarization on his VA benefits letter so he can confirm his veteran status and receive his pension. How much do you charge Ronald?

42 / 45

A Notary’s geographic jurisdiction is:

43 / 45

Acts that have less impact and do not involve real property carry less expensive fines. Examples would be defacing Notary records, acting as a Notary without a commission or failing to turn the Notary journal into the county recorder’s office thirty days after your commission expiration date. This misconduct falls into which category?

44 / 45

During their previous commission a Notary Public, had their commission suspended for becoming behind on child support, and they continued to advertise their Notary services online. They were charged a for the advertising violation. That was several years ago and now they would like to become a Notary Public again. When they apply to become a Notary Public what will happen?

45 / 45

Which is a requirement to become a Notary Public in California?

Register for Exam

Notary Exams in California are proctored by Cooperative Personal Services HR (CPSHR). All exam results are also distributed by CPSHR, Notary Public Seminars has no access to your exam results. To register for the official exam use the button below to create an account and register for an exam on CPSHR’s website. Detailed instructions are provided on the CPSHR website. 

CPSHR CONTACT INFOMATION:
Email: notaryinfo@cpshr.us
Phone: (916) 263-3520

What is on the official Exam?

All of the material in the California Notary Public Handbook (including updates, if any) is subject to examination. The examination is a total of 45 items with a one hour time limit. There are 40 items on the below content areas. There are also five non-scored items on the exam, these items do not count against a candidate’s exam score and are only included to collect information on these questions so they can be used on a future exam.

Number of questions per subject:

15  – Misconduct/Fees questions
12  – Notarial Acts/Documentation questions
  5  – Administrative Procedures questions
  4  – Identification/Subscribing Witness Notarizations questions
  4  – Immigration/Foreign Language questions

What to bring to the exam?

  • Application – Completed and Printed out
  • 2×2 Passport Style Photo
  • #2 Pencil
  • Identification
    • A driver’s license or State DMV I.D. card
    • A Canadian or Mexican Driver’s license
    • U.S. Passport/Passport Card or Passport/Passport Card issued by a foreign government
    • A U.S. Military I.D. Card 
  • Proof of Completion – Requested from Notary Seminar Section
  • $40 Check or Money Order made out to the Secretary of State (no cash or card) If retesting you will need a $20 check or money order and your failure letter.

Live Scan Fingerprint (Background Check)

New and Renewing Notaries must take a background check by Live Scan fingerprinting before each commission. Each applicant must Live Scan regardless of whether they have Live Scanned for a previous commission or Live Scanned for another purpose.

You must bring the following to the Live Scan site:

  • A completed Request For Live Scan Service (PDF) form.
  • A current photo identification.
  • A fingerprint processing fee and an additional rolling fee. Please call the Live Scan site to verify the amount of the rolling fee.

Once you submit your fingerprints, everything is sent electronically to the FBI and DOJ. Each will submit a report to the SOS to add to your file. No further action is required on your behalf regarding your Live Scan. Processing times can vary so check the SOS website for processing updates: www.sos.ca.gov/notary/processing-times

Find Live Scan Operators in your County

Notary Supplies

Notary Supplies can be an expensive headache for Notary’s. 
We aim to simplify the process for you by offering the best supplies possible at the most discounted rate possible.
Each Supply package has everything you need to get started as a notary Public in California, including a bond and E&O.  

Loan Signing Agent

Save $80 on an already low price!
Retail Price: $564.99 + Shipping
Your Discounted price 499.99 + Free Shipping

The Loan Signing Agent Package has everything you need to do general Notary work and start your Loan Signing Agent career. Protected by $100,000 of Errors and Omissions insurance and with the best seals and journals available, you will have a great head start on your Notary journey. 

  • 4 Year $15k Bond
  • 4 Year $100k E&O Insurance Policy
  • 2 Pre-Inked Notary Seals!
  • Notary Journal
  • Thumbprint Pad
  • Notary Forms Download
  • Loan Agent Record Book
  • Current ID Checking Guide
  • 4 year Directory Listing
  • 4 year Notary Support
  • Brief case

Best Buy

Save $25 on a Complete Notary Package
Retail Price: $309.99 + Shipping
Your Discounted Price 299.99 + Free Shipping

The Best Buy Package is perfect for Notaries who do not want to become Loan Signing Agents but still want the peace of mind of $15,000 of Errors and Omissions insurance and 4 years of support from Notary experts.

  • 4 Year $15k Bond
  • 4 Year $15k E&O
  • Insurance Policy
  • 1 Pre-Inked Notary Seal
  • Notary Journal
  • Thumbprint Pad
  • Notary Forms Download
  • Current ID Checking Guide
  • 4 year Directory Listing
  •  4 year Notary Support

File Oath of Office

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. This 30 day period cannot be extended.

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 prior to 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.

Where do I file my oath and bond?

The county that contains your principal place of business, which you indicated on your Notary Application will be the county you file in.

Commision County
The county you are filing in can be found on your commission.

Filing instructions for each California County

Each county has specific instructions on how to file your oath and bond.
Use their website to ensure you are meeting all of their requirements. 

Ready to be a Loan Singing Agent (3)

What is a Loan Signing Agent?

Loan Signing agents notarize loan packages. They are hired by loan signing agencies, mortgage, escrow, and title companies. They meet with clients, obtain signatures and execute notarizations. The Loan Signing Agent then sends the loan package back to the issuing party. Loan Signing Agents are paid a flat fee.

What do you learn in a Loan Signing Agent Seminar?

You’ll learn about each document contained in a loan package but particularly those that need to be notarized. You’ll also learn what not to do as a Loan Signing Agent as the role is limited. You’ll be given tips on how to keep the loan signing process going by keeping your customers focused. Our instructors will also give you practical advice about how to set up your office and advertising options.

Requirements:

You do not need to be a commissioned notary public to take this course, but you must take the Notary Public Seminar first. Ultimately, you must be a Notary Public with a current commission to be a Loan Signing Agent.

Register today!