How Much Does It Cost to Become a Notary in California?

Quick answer: Becoming a California Notary Public costs $200–$400 total in 2026. This breaks down as: education course ($35–$100), state exam fee ($40), Live Scan background check ($75–$90), $15,000 surety bond + oath filing ($40–$80), and notary supplies — seal and journal ($40–$100).

Below we break down each line item so you can budget effectively and avoid surprises.

Cost item	Typical range	Source
State-approved education	$35 – $100	CA SOS approved vendors
State exam fee	$40 ($20 retake)	CPS HR Consulting
Live Scan fingerprinting	$75 – $90	CA DOJ + FBI + roller fee
$15,000 surety bond & oath filing	$40 – $80	Bond providers + County Clerk
Notary supplies (seal, journal)	$40 – $100	Authorized stamp manufacturers
Total	$230 – $410	—

1. State-Approved Education Course (Estimated: $35 - $100+)

California requires all new applicants to complete an approved 6-hour education course. If you are renewing, you can take a 3-hour course. The cost varies by provider, but our online state-approved courses are some of the most competitively priced on the market, saving you money right from the start.

2. State Exam Fee ($40)

CPS HR Consulting administers the official state exam. The fee to take the exam for the first time or renew your commission is $40. If you fail the exam and need to retake it, the re-examination fee is $20.

3. Live Scan Fingerprinting and Background Check ($75 - $90)

To protect the public, the Secretary of State requires a background check from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. The processing fees are fixed: $32 for the DOJ and $17 for the FBI ($49 total). However, Live Scan facilities charge an additional rolling fee, which usually brings the total cost to around $75 to $90 depending on your location.

4. $15,000 Surety Bond and Oath Filing ($40 - $80)

Before you can act as a notary, you must purchase a 4-year $15,000 surety bond. This bond protects the public (not you) from financial harm caused by a notarization error. The bond premium usually costs between $35 and $50. Finally, you will pay your local County Clerk a filing fee (typically around $20 to $40) to file your oath of office and bond.

5. Notary Supplies ($40 - $100)

You cannot notarize documents without your official California Notary Seal (stamp) and a sequential Notary Journal. You may also want to purchase a lockable bag and fingerprint ink pads. We have curated a list of recommended notary supplies to help you get the best quality tools for your new commission.

Ready to get started?

While the upfront costs of becoming a California Notary sit around $300, it is an incredibly accessible investment for a business or career skill. With California notaries permitted to charge $15 per signature notarized, many active notaries recoup these startup costs in just their first few weeks of business.