After taking your state exam you will receive a letter by email or mail depending on how you filled out your notary application. (The state proctors conducting the exam and accepting applications at the exam location will be able to guide you on what to write down on your application if you’d wish to receive your results by email, otherwise you will automatically receive them by mail.)
After receiving your letter from the Secretary of State, you will do one of two things;
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
Your livescan background results will take anywhere between 4-8 weeks to arrive.
If you didn’t pass your state exam, you will need to present your letter and a $20.00 money order written out to the Secretary of State on the next exam date. The $20.00 is for your exam processing fee. Be sure to print out and take another Notary Application just in case, also be sure to sign up for the state exam at least 2-3 weeks prior to the exam.
After passing your livescan background check, you will receive a multi page packet from the Secretary of State, in it, a form titled "Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals”.
You will mail this form to: My Notary Class, 240 Woodlawn Ave Suite #5, Chula Vista, California 91910. We will then process your state seal and notary bond, if you purchased your supplies with mynotaryclass.com.
If you do not plan to buy the supplies from mynotaryclass.com, you will need to mail the "Certificate of authorization to manufacture notary public seals” form, to an approved manufacturer to produce your seal, in a timely manner.
After receiving your seal and bond you must take your oath at the county recorders. After that, you are ready to notarize! :)
You may also find this information at www.sos.ca.gov/notary/checklist.