Surety bonds • California
California Notary Bond: $15,000 Requirement, Cost, and Filing
California notaries need a $15,000 notary bond for their four-year commission. After the Secretary of State issues your commission, you have 30 calendar days to take the oath and file the oath and bond with the county clerk, or the commission does not take effect. Published prices for the bond start around $50 for the full term.
This guide covers the bond, the 30-day filing deadline, education and exam requirements, fees, and costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency, and a licensed agent can help with your bond.
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Bond and filing requirement
California notaries file an original $15,000 bond, signed by the notary, with a four-year term matching the commission. You have 30 calendar days from the start of the term in your commission to take and file the oath and file the bond with the county clerk (Gov. Code §§ 8212, 8213). The commission does not take effect until both are filed, and the deadline is not extended for mail delays (San Bernardino County Clerk).
How to become a California notary
- Complete approved education: a six-hour course for new notaries, or a three-hour refresher for renewing notaries who completed the six-hour course (California Secretary of State).
- Pass the state exam with a score of 70 or more; the exam and application fee is $40 (California Secretary of State).
- Receive your commission from the Secretary of State.
- Buy your $15,000 bond and file it with your oath at the county clerk within 30 days.
How much a California notary bond costs
| Option | Published price |
|---|---|
| $15,000 notary bond only | $50 |
| Bond plus $10,000 E&O | $90 |
| Bond plus $20,000 E&O | $110 |
| Bond plus $30,000 E&O | $130 |
Prices published by SuretyBonds.com. County filing and recording fees are separate and vary by county.
Who the bond protects
The bond protects the public, not the notary. If the surety pays a claim, the notary must repay it. Optional errors and omissions insurance helps cover the notary’s own costs for claims over honest mistakes.
California notary bond FAQs
How much is a notary bond in California?
The required bond amount is $15,000. Published prices start around $50 for the four-year commission.
Where do I file my California notary bond?
With the county clerk, together with your oath, within 30 calendar days of the start of your commission term.
What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline?
The commission does not take effect, and county clerks do not make exceptions for mail delays.
How many hours of education do California notaries need?
Six hours for new notaries, or a three-hour refresher for renewing notaries who completed the six-hour course.
Related guides
- California surety bonds
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- Arizona notary bond
- Surety bonds
- Surety bond cost
- Surety bond cost calculator
- Buy a surety bond online
- License and permit bonds
- New Mexico notary bond
- Nebraska notary bond
- Kansas notary bond
- Oklahoma notary bond
- Alabama notary bond
- Tennessee notary bond
- Washington notary bond
- Michigan notary bond
- Pennsylvania notary bond
- Illinois notary bond
- Florida notary bond
Important information
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Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, the surety, your credit, the bond type, and underwriting.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Tell us your commission date, and a licensed agent will help with your California notary bond, or start a bond quote online with our partner.
