California Notary Law

(a) Any person who willfully violates any part of Section 8207.1, 8207.2, 8207.3, or 8207.4 shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for each violation, which may be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General or the district attorney or city attorney, or by a city prosecutor in any city and county.

(b) The penalty provided by this section is not an exclusive remedy, and does not affect any other relief or remedy provided by law.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 828, Sec. 6. Section operative January 1, 1992, by its own provisions.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

(a) The Secretary of State shall issue certificates of authorization with which a notary public can obtain an official notary seal.

(b) A vendor or manufacturer is authorized to provide a notary with an official seal only upon presentation by the notary public of a certificate of authorization.

(c) A vendor of official seals shall note the receipt of certificates of authorization and sequential identification numbers of certificates presented by a notary public upon a certificate of authorization.

(d) A copy of a certificate of authorization shall be retained by a vendor and the original, which shall contain a sample impression of the seal issued to the notary public, shall be submitted to the Secretary of State for verification and recordkeeping. The Secretary of State shall develop guidelines for submitting certificates of authorization by vendors.

(e) Any notary whose official seal is lost, misplaced, destroyed, broken, damaged, or is rendered otherwise unworkable shall immediately mail or deliver written notice of that fact to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State, within five working days after receipt of the notice, if requested by a notary, shall issue a certificate of authorization which a notary may use to obtain a replacement seal.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 828, Sec. 5. Section operative January 1, 1992, by its own provisions.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

(a) No notary seal or press stamp shall be manufactured, duplicated, sold, or offered for sale unless authorized by the Secretary of State.

 (b) The Secretary of State shall develop and implement procedures and guidelines for the issuance of notary seals on or before January 1, 1992.

(c) The Secretary of State shall issue a permit with a sequential identification number to each manufacturer or vendor authorized to issue notary seals. The Secretary of State may establish a fee for the issuance of the permit which shall not exceed the actual costs of issuing the permit.

(d) The Secretary of State shall develop a certificate of authorization to purchase a notary stamp from an authorized vendor.

(e) The certificate of authorization shall be designed to prevent forgeries and shall contain a sequential identification number.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 828, Sec. 4. Section operative January 1, 1992, by its own provisions.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

The Secretary of State shall assign a sequential identification number to each notary which shall appear on the notary commission.

This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 828, Sec. 3. Section operative January 1, 1992, by its own provisions.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

A notary public shall provide and keep an official seal, which shall clearly show, when embossed, stamped, impressed or affixed to a document, the name of the notary, the State Seal, the words “Notary Public,” and the name of the county wherein the bond and oath of office are filed, and the date the notary public’s commission expires. The seal of every notary public commissioned on or after January 1, 1992, shall contain the sequential identification number assigned to the notary and the sequential identification number assigned to the manufacturer or vendor. The notary public shall authenticate with the official seal all official acts.

A notary public shall not use the official notarial seal except for the purpose of carrying out the duties and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter. A notary public shall not use the title “notary public” except for the purpose of rendering notarial service.

The seal of every notary public shall be affixed by a seal press or stamp that will print or emboss a seal which legibly reproduces under photographic methods the required elements of the seal. The seal may be circular not over two inches in diameter, or may be a rectangular form of not more than one inch in width by two and one-half inches in length, with a serrated or milled edged border, and shall contain the information required by this section.

The seal shall be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary. Failure to secure the seal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take administrative action against the commission held by the notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.

The official seal of a notary public is the exclusive property of that notary public, and shall not be surrendered to an employer upon the termination of employment, whether or not the employer paid for the seal, or to any other person. The notary, or his or her representative, shall destroy or deface the seal upon termination, resignation, or revocation of the notary’s commission.

This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 319, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1998.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

Upon receiving a request for a copy of a transaction pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 8206, the notary shall respond to the request within 15 business days after receipt of the request and either supply the photostatic copy requested or acknowledge that no such line item exists. In a disciplinary proceeding for noncompliance with subdivision (c) of Section 8206 or this section, a notary may defend his or her delayed action on the basis of unavoidable, exigent business or personal circumstances.

(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 496, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

(a) (1) A notary public shall keep one active sequential journal at a time, of all official acts performed as a notary public. The journal shall be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary. Failure to secure the journal shall be cause for the Secretary of State to take administrative action against the commission held by the notary public pursuant to Section 8214.1.

(2) The journal shall be in addition to, and apart from, any copies of notarized documents that may be in the possession of the notary public and shall include all of the following:

(A) Date, time, and type of each official act.

(B) Character of every instrument sworn to, affirmed, acknowledged, or proved before the notary.

(C) The signature of each person whose signature is being notarized.

(D) A statement as to whether the identity of a person making an acknowledgment or taking an oath or affirmation was based on satisfactory evidence. If identity was established by satisfactory evidence pursuant to Section 1185 of the Civil Code, the journal shall contain the signature of the credible witness swearing or affirming to the identity of the individual or the type of identifying document, the governmental agency issuing the document, the serial or identifying number of the document, and the date of issue or expiration of the document.

(E) If the identity of the person making the acknowledgment or taking the oath or affirmation was established by the oaths or affirmations of two credible witnesses whose identities are proven to the notary public by presentation of any document satisfying the requirements of paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1185 of the Civil Code, the notary public shall record in the journal the type of documents identifying the witnesses, the identifying numbers on the documents identifying the witnesses, and the dates of issuance or expiration of the documents identifying the witnesses.

(F) The fee charged for the notarial service.

(G) If the document to be notarized is a deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, or other document affecting real property, or a power of attorney document, the notary public shall require the party signing the document to place his or her right thumbprint in the journal. If the right thumbprint is not available, then the notary shall have the party use his or her left thumb, or any available finger and shall so indicate in the journal. If the party signing the document is physically unable to provide a thumbprint or fingerprint, the notary shall so indicate in the journal and shall also provide an explanation of that physical condition. This paragraph shall not apply to a trustee’s deed resulting from a decree of foreclosure or a nonjudicial foreclosure pursuant to Section 2924 of the Civil Code, nor to a deed of reconveyance.

(b) If a sequential journal of official acts performed by a notary public is stolen, lost, misplaced, destroyed, damaged, or otherwise rendered unusable as a record of notarial acts and information, the notary public shall immediately notify the Secretary of State by certified or registered mail or any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt. The notification shall include the period of the journal entries, the notary public commission number, and the expiration date of the commission, and when applicable, a photocopy of any police report that specifies the theft of the sequential journal of official acts.

(c) Upon written request of any member of the public, which request shall include the name of the parties, the type of document, and the month and year in which notarized, the notary shall supply a photostatic copy of the line item representing the requested transaction at a cost of not more than thirty cents ($0.30) per page.

(d) The journal of notarial acts of a notary public is the exclusive property of that notary public, and shall not be surrendered to an employer upon termination of employment, whether or not the employer paid for the journal, or at any other time. The notary public shall not surrender the journal to any other person, except the county clerk, pursuant to Section 8209, or immediately, or if the journal is not present then as soon as possible, upon request to a peace officer investigating a criminal offense who has reasonable suspicion to believe the journal contains evidence of a criminal offense, as defined in Sections 830.1, 830.2, and 830.3 of the Penal Code, acting in his or her official capacity and within his or her authority. If the peace officer seizes the notary journal, he or she must have probable cause as required by the laws of this state and the United States. A peace officer or law enforcement agency that seizes a notary journal shall notify the Secretary of State by facsimile within 24 hours, or as soon as possible thereafter, of the name of the notary public whose journal has been seized. The notary public shall obtain a receipt for the journal, and shall notify the Secretary of State by certified mail any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt within 10 days that the journal was relinquished to a peace officer. The notification shall include the period of the journal entries, the commission number of the notary public, the expiration date of the commission, and a photocopy of the receipt. The notary public shall obtain a new sequential journal. If the journal relinquished to a peace officer is returned to the notary public and a new journal has been obtained, the notary public shall make no new entries in the returned journal. A notary public who is an employee shall permit inspection and copying of journal transactions by a duly designated auditor or agent of the notary public’s employer, provided that the inspection and copying is done in the presence of the notary public and the transactions are directly associated with the business purposes of the employer. The notary public, upon the request of the employer, shall regularly provide copies of all transactions that are directly associated with the business purposes of the employer, but shall not be required to provide copies of any transaction that is unrelated to the employer’s business. Confidentiality and safekeeping of any copies of the journal provided to the employer shall be the responsibility of that employer.

(e) The notary public shall provide the journal for examination and copying in the presence of the notary public upon receipt of a subpoena duces tecum or a court order, and shall certify those copies if requested.

(f) Any applicable requirements of, or exceptions to, state and federal law shall apply to a peace officer engaged in the search or seizure of a sequential journal.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 366, Sec. 5. (SB 974) Effective January 1, 2017.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

(a) It is the duty of a notary public, when requested:

(1) To demand acceptance and payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange, or promissory notes, to protest them for nonacceptance and nonpayment, and, with regard only to the nonacceptance or nonpayment of bills and notes, to exercise any other powers and duties that by the law of nations and according to commercial usages, or by the laws of any other state, government, or country, may be performed by a notary. This paragraph applies only to a notary public employed by a financial institution, during the course and scope of the notary’s employment with the financial institution.

(2) To take the acknowledgment or proof of advance health care directives, powers of attorney, mortgages, deeds, grants, transfers, and other instruments of writing executed by any person, and to give a certificate of that proof or acknowledgment, endorsed on or attached to the instrument. The certificate shall be signed by the notary public in the notary public’s own handwriting. A notary public may not accept any acknowledgment or proof of any instrument that is incomplete.

(3) To take depositions and affidavits, and administer oaths and affirmations, in all matters incident to the duties of the office, or to be used before any court, judge, officer, or board. Any deposition, affidavit, oath, or affirmation shall be signed by the notary public in the notary public’s own handwriting.

(4) To certify copies of powers of attorney under Section 4307 of the Probate Code. The certification shall be signed by the notary public in the notary public’s own handwriting.

(b) It shall further be the duty of a notary public, upon written request:

(1) To furnish to the Secretary of State certified copies of the notary’s journal.

(2) To respond within 30 days of receiving written requests sent by certified mail or any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt from the Secretary of State’s office for information relating to official acts performed by the notary.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 366, Sec. 4. (SB 974) Effective January 1, 2017.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

The Secretary of State may cancel the commission of a notary public if a check or other remittance accepted as payment for the examination, application, commission, and fingerprint fee is not paid upon presentation to the financial institution upon which the check or other remittance was drawn. Upon receiving written notification that the item presented for payment has not been honored for payment, the Secretary of State shall first give a written notice of the applicability of this section to the notary public or the person submitting the instrument. Thereafter, if the amount is not paid by a cashier’s check or the equivalent, the Secretary of State shall give a second written notice of cancellation and the cancellation shall thereupon be effective. This second notice shall be given at least 20 days after the first notice, and no more than 90 days after the commencement date of the commission.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 319, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230

The term of office of a notary public is for four years commencing with the date specified in the commission.

(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1009.)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE – TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA – DIVISION 1. GENERAL – CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public

California Notary Law

How to become a California Notary Public

Find a California Notary Public

• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8200
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8201.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.5.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.7.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8202.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.1.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8203.6.
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8204.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8205
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8206.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8207.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8209
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8211
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8212
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8213.6
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.15
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.2
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.21
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.23
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.4
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8214.8
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8216
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8219.5
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8220
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8221
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8222
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8223
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8224.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8225
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8227.3
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8228.1
• CHAPTER 3. Notaries Public – 8230