Check to make sure you qualify for the Notary exam. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of California. You will also need to pass a background check administered by the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ). In addition, it is mandatory that you complete a state approved course of study in order to take the Notary exam.
Register for an approved Notary course in preparation of the exam. According to California State University, which offers an accredited notary course, you can take the course in one day and follow it with a one-hour exam. The program will educate you on new legislation in California pertinent to your work as a Notary. Take the time to understand the newest alterations to state law. You will learn how to pass the initial exam as well as the renewal exam which must be taken every four years to keep your Notary status. At the time of publication, course fees at California State University were listed as $130 plus an additional state required fee of $40 to take the exam.
Purchase a 2-by-2-inch passport-size photograph of yourself which you will attach to your Notary application. Complete the course application and return to the accredited facility you choose to cover the training. In addition, you will be required to submit to a live scan of your fingerprints which are then submitted to the FBI and DOJ. The cost of these requirements can also be including in your Notary package if you sign up for classes at the main California Notary exam website.
Prepare yourself for your seminar by making sure you have all required items. Have your driver's license with you or a valid state identification. A military I.D. card or passport are the only other forms of identification accepted when you show up for the seminar. It's also a good idea to have a highlighter to mark choice sections reviewed in the manual as you prepare to take your test. Listen to the instructor's advice as to what to remember for the exam.
Schedule a time to take the test if it does not already follow your seminar. There are approximately two dozen locations across Northern, Southern, and Central California where you can take the Notary exam. Results are typically sent within 15 to 20 business days after completion of the test with website results available at an earlier date as specified by the instructor.