Free Notary Training Course?

If you’re looking to become a California notary, our state-approved online course covers everything including exam prep and your certificate. Learn about the course 

If you’re researching how to meet California’s notary public requirements, you’ve probably come across providers advertising a “free” online notary course. Before you sign up for one, understand what you’re actually getting (and what you’re not).

How “Free” Notary Courses Usually Work

Some California notary trainers advertise a free online notary public course. Here’s what often happens when you read the fine print:

• The course is free, but the certificate isn’t. You can go through all the material, but when it’s time to get your proof of completion certificate (the document the Secretary of State requires you to bring to the exam), you’re asked to pay. Without the certificate, the course does not count toward your commission.
• The course is free, but the training materials cost extra. Some providers require you to purchase “study guides” or “training materials” that are necessary to actually complete the course. If the materials are required for completion, they should be included in the price.
• The course is free, but the total cost is higher. After you add up the certificate fee, the materials fee, and any other charges, the “free” course often ends up costing more than a straightforward, all-inclusive course like ours.

The “Free” Course Business Model

The business model is straightforward: get you to invest hours into their course so that by the time you discover the real cost, you’d rather just pay it than start over with a different provider. It’s a sunk-cost play.

We’ve also seen “free” courses that are just repackaged versions of the California Notary Public Handbook, which is already available for free from the Secretary of State. You could read the handbook yourself, but it doesn’t satisfy the state’s education requirement on its own. You still need a completion certificate from an approved vendor.

What Our Course Includes (No Surprises)

Our online notary course has one price that covers everything:

• The full six-hour state-approved education course (or three-hour refresher for renewing notaries)
• The proof of completion certificate (the one the state requires you to bring to the exam)
• 200+ practice exam questions to prepare you for the state test
• All study materials needed to complete the course

No separate certificate fee, no required “training materials” add-on, no surprise charges after you’ve invested your time.

Watch Out for “Bundle” Deals Too

Bundles are another area where the advertised price can be misleading. Some providers sell a package that appears to include everything (course, exam, bond, supplies) for one seemingly low price. But when you read the details, you find that items like the state application fee, the exam fee, Live Scan fingerprinting, and passport photos are listed as “additional fees” that you pay separately.

These required out-of-pocket costs can double the actual total. For a transparent breakdown of every cost involved in becoming a notary, see our post on how much it costs to become a notary in California.

Legitimate Free Training Options

The state does publish the California Notary Public Handbook for free, which is a useful reference. But reading the handbook alone does not satisfy the education requirement. You need a completion certificate from an approved vendor to take the exam. For new notaries, the education requirement can only be met through a state-approved course. If someone is offering a course that is actually free and approved with an included certificate, ask yourself why they would invest the time and money into creating and maintaining a course they give away. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

The Bottom Line

You’re going to spend money to become a notary regardless. Between the course, the exam fee, Live Scan, your bond, and supplies, there’s a baseline cost you can’t avoid. The question is whether you want transparent pricing up front or hidden fees that add up after you’ve invested your time.

Our California notary course costs $45, includes the certificate and all materials, and lets you start training immediately. Once commissioned, you can notarize real estate documents or any other legal documents and begin earning notary fees.

What About $5 Notary Courses?

Search “5 dollar notary courses” and you will find 5DollarNotaryCourses.com. It is real: the Secretary of State approved it as an education vendor in February 2025, and it appears on the state’s approved vendor list. The state’s own note on that list matters here: approval is not an endorsement. Every vendor on it, at any price, meets the same minimum bar.

What the price does not change: whatever your course costs, the state’s requirements cost the same. $40 for the exam and application, roughly $69 to $99 for the Live Scan background check, and a $15,000 surety bond that typically runs $38 to $100. A $5 course and a $50 course both sit on top of the same $150 to $250 in fixed costs to become a notary. The course is the smallest line either way.

What the price does change is exam preparation. The state exam is the same for everyone: 45 questions, scaled passing score of 70. Before enrolling in any low-cost course, check what it includes for that exam: how many practice questions, whether the practice is timed like the real thing, whether answers are explained, and what happens if you need help. A course that covers the required six hours and little else leaves the hardest part, passing the exam, entirely on you. It is the top question buyers ask about cheap courses, which is why a reviews thread ranks first for the search.

Whatever you choose, verify it first. Any legitimate provider, ours included, appears on the Secretary of State’s approved vendor list, and your Proof of Completion certificate from any approved course is valid for two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free notary courses in California?

Some providers advertise free notary courses, but most charge separately for the proof of completion certificate that the Secretary of State requires you to bring to the exam. Without the certificate, the course does not count toward your commission.

Why do some providers offer free notary courses?

The business model relies on getting you to invest hours into the course so that when you discover the certificate costs extra, you pay rather than starting over with a different provider.

Does California offer any free notary training?

The Secretary of State publishes the free California Notary Public Handbook, which is a useful reference. However, reading the handbook does not satisfy the education requirement. You need a completion certificate from a state-approved vendor.

What should a notary course include?

A legitimate state-approved course should include the full education content, the proof of completion certificate, and all study materials for one price. No separate certificate or materials fees.

How much should I expect to pay for a California notary course?

A reasonable price for a six-hour state-approved course with certificate included is $30 to $60. Be wary of prices well above or below that range.

Is signing agent training free?

Generally no. Signing agent training is optional, specialized training on top of the state-required notary course, and the established providers charge for it. The same fine-print rule applies: check whether a free offer charges extra for the certificate or materials.