CALIFORNIA NOTARY PUBLIC PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
◉ How can individuals receive electronic updates from the
California Secretary of State's office?
Answer: By signing up for e-updates at www.sos.ca.gov/eupdates.
◉ What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public
in California?
Answer: At least 18 years of age.
◉ What is one of the educational requirements for becoming a
notary public?
Answer: Satisfactorily complete a course of study approved by the
Secretary of State.
◉ What must notary applicants pass to qualify for a notary public
commission?
Answer: A written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State.
◉ What type of check must notary applicants pass?
Answer: A background check.
,◉ What document must be submitted at the examination site for
notary applicants?
Answer: A completed application and a 2" x 2" color passport
photograph.
◉ What is required of notary applicants regarding fingerprinting?
Answer: All notary applicants must be fingerprinted as part of a
thorough background check.
◉ What can lead to the denial of a notary public application?
Answer: Failure to disclose any conviction or conviction of a felony.
◉ What is the duration of the required course of study for notary
public applicants?
Answer: Six hours.
◉ What must notary applicants disclose on their applications?
Answer: All arrests for which trials are pending and all convictions.
◉ What happens if a notary public application is denied?
Answer: Notary applicants have the right to appeal the denial
through the administrative hearing process.
,◉ What is one reason the Secretary of State may deny a notary
public application?
Answer: Conviction of a disqualifying lesser offense.
◉ What guidelines are available for notary public applicants
regarding disqualifying convictions?
Answer: The Secretary of State's Notary Public Disciplinary
Guidelines.
◉ Where can notary public applicants find the disciplinary
guidelines?
Answer: On the Secretary of State's website or can request them by
mail.
◉ What is the significance of Government Code section 8201?
Answer: It outlines the requirements to become a notary public.
◉ What does Government Code section 8214.3 provide for notary
applicants?
Answer: The right to appeal the denial of their application.
◉ What must be included in the application for a notary public?
, Answer: Disclosure of all convictions, including those dismissed
under Penal Code section 1203.4.
◉ What is the purpose of the background check for notary
applicants?
Answer: To determine if a person meets the requirements to fulfill
the responsibilities of the position.
◉ What is a common reason for denial of a notary public
application?
Answer: Failure to disclose any conviction.
◉ What is required of applicants to assist in identity verification?
Answer: Fingerprinting.
◉ What must applicants do if they have questions about disclosing
convictions?
Answer: Contact the Secretary of State's office prior to signing the
application.
◉ What is the role of the Secretary of State in the notary public
application process?
Answer: To review applications and determine eligibility.
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
◉ How can individuals receive electronic updates from the
California Secretary of State's office?
Answer: By signing up for e-updates at www.sos.ca.gov/eupdates.
◉ What is the minimum age requirement to become a notary public
in California?
Answer: At least 18 years of age.
◉ What is one of the educational requirements for becoming a
notary public?
Answer: Satisfactorily complete a course of study approved by the
Secretary of State.
◉ What must notary applicants pass to qualify for a notary public
commission?
Answer: A written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State.
◉ What type of check must notary applicants pass?
Answer: A background check.
,◉ What document must be submitted at the examination site for
notary applicants?
Answer: A completed application and a 2" x 2" color passport
photograph.
◉ What is required of notary applicants regarding fingerprinting?
Answer: All notary applicants must be fingerprinted as part of a
thorough background check.
◉ What can lead to the denial of a notary public application?
Answer: Failure to disclose any conviction or conviction of a felony.
◉ What is the duration of the required course of study for notary
public applicants?
Answer: Six hours.
◉ What must notary applicants disclose on their applications?
Answer: All arrests for which trials are pending and all convictions.
◉ What happens if a notary public application is denied?
Answer: Notary applicants have the right to appeal the denial
through the administrative hearing process.
,◉ What is one reason the Secretary of State may deny a notary
public application?
Answer: Conviction of a disqualifying lesser offense.
◉ What guidelines are available for notary public applicants
regarding disqualifying convictions?
Answer: The Secretary of State's Notary Public Disciplinary
Guidelines.
◉ Where can notary public applicants find the disciplinary
guidelines?
Answer: On the Secretary of State's website or can request them by
mail.
◉ What is the significance of Government Code section 8201?
Answer: It outlines the requirements to become a notary public.
◉ What does Government Code section 8214.3 provide for notary
applicants?
Answer: The right to appeal the denial of their application.
◉ What must be included in the application for a notary public?
, Answer: Disclosure of all convictions, including those dismissed
under Penal Code section 1203.4.
◉ What is the purpose of the background check for notary
applicants?
Answer: To determine if a person meets the requirements to fulfill
the responsibilities of the position.
◉ What is a common reason for denial of a notary public
application?
Answer: Failure to disclose any conviction.
◉ What is required of applicants to assist in identity verification?
Answer: Fingerprinting.
◉ What must applicants do if they have questions about disclosing
convictions?
Answer: Contact the Secretary of State's office prior to signing the
application.
◉ What is the role of the Secretary of State in the notary public
application process?
Answer: To review applications and determine eligibility.
