Question 1

After taking your state exam

Accepted Answer

After taking your state exam you will receive a letter by email or mail from the California Secretary of State depending on your preference written down on your notary application.  You usually receive this letter within 7-15 calendar days.

Question 2

If you passed your state exam

Accepted Answer

If you passed your state exam, you will receive a letter informing you that you passed and your next step will be to take your livescan background check. 
Download the form here LIVESCAN FORM 
Leave the form blank; the livescan agent will complete it at the livescan location. To find a nearby agent, search for "livescan near me" online. The fee usually ranges from $65 to $90. You do not need to mail, fax, or scan any paperwork prior or after leaving your livescan appointment, the livescan agent takes care of it all for you. Your livescan background results will take anywhere between 4-8 weeks to arrive.

Question 3

If you didn't pass your state exam

Accepted Answer

If you didn’t pass your state exam, you must bring your fail notice and a $20.00 money order made payable to the Secretary of State on your next exam date. This fee covers the exam processing cost. Additionally, print and bring a new notary application just in case. Make sure to register for the state exam at least 15 calendar days in advance.

According to the California Secretary of State’s office:  
"Each applicant who scores below 70 will receive a fail notice with a re-take voucher. The exam can be retaken, but not more than once within the same calendar month."

Question 4

After passing your livescan background check

Accepted Answer

After passing your livescan background check, you will receive a multi page packet in the mail from the Secretary of State, in it, a form titled "Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals”.

Question 5

Once you receive your commission you will mail the following form to:

Accepted Answer

READ THIS ONLY IF YOU PURCHASED OR PLAN TO PURCHASE YOUR SUPPLIES WITH US:

You will mail the form ("Certificate of authorization to manufacture notary public seals”)  to:

N.R. / my notary class
PO Box 41400
Des Moines, IA 50311-0507.  Must ship via the post office (USPS). We will then process your state seal and notary bond, if you purchased your supplies with mynotaryclass.com.

You must email a photo or a scanned copy of your certificate to info@mynotaryclass.com before mailing the ORIGINAL certificate to the address mentioned above. Do NOT assume we’re processing your order unless we have replied to your email. Simply mailing the form without emailing us first will delay your order.

If you have not purchased our supplies yet, visit our "Resources/Supplies" page.
 
If you do not plan to buy the supplies from mynotaryclass.com, you will need to mail the ORIGINAL "Certificate of authorization to manufacture notary public seals” form, to an approved manufacturer to produce your seal, in a timely manner.

Question 6

After receiving your bond

Accepted Answer

After receiving your bond you must file your bond and your oath at your local county recorders office or at the county recorder located in the county where you plan to complete the majority of your notarizations. You will take your oath during this filing appointment. Once your oath has been taken and filed along with your bond, you are ready to notarize! 🎉🚀
 
You may also find this information at www.sos.ca.gov/notary/checklist.