What Can You Do With a Notary License?
A notary commission (not technically a “license”) lets you witness signatures, administer oaths, and perform other official acts. Here is what you can actually do with it in California.
What a Notary Commission Lets You Do
- Take acknowledgments: Verify the signer appeared before you and acknowledged signing willingly. This is the most common notarial act. Real estate deeds, trust documents, and powers of attorney all use acknowledgments.
- Perform jurats: Administer an oath or affirmation and watch the signer sign in your presence. Affidavits and sworn declarations use jurats.
- Certify copies of powers of attorney: California notaries can certify copies of POAs and their own journal entries. Not diplomas, contracts, or birth certificates. Those go through the issuing agency.
- Administer oaths and affirmations: For depositions, affidavits, and other sworn statements. Depositions pay more: $30 for taking the deposition plus $7 for the oath and $7 per certificate.
After meeting the requirements (6-hour course, state exam, $15,000 bond, background check), you receive a commission certificate from the Secretary of State. You then buy your supplies (seal and journal) and can begin working. The commission lasts 4 years.
Where Notaries Work
Banks and lenders
Banks are the biggest employer of notaries in the US. Staff notaries witness signatures on loan documents, mortgages, and other financial paperwork. Many banks offer free notarization as a customer service. If you already work at a bank, your employer may pay for your commission and supplies.
Real estate agencies
Property transactions require notarized deeds and title documents. Real estate offices and title companies either keep a notary on staff or hire mobile notaries for closings. See our guide on becoming a real estate notary.
Law offices
Law firms keep staff notaries on hand to witness signatures on affidavits, declarations, and other legal filings. Paralegals and legal assistants often hold notary commissions as part of their job duties.
Mailbox and shipping stores
The UPS Store and similar shops often have a notary on staff. They typically charge the full $15 per signature. These are walk-in locations and a good option if you need a notarization quickly, though availability varies by location. Call ahead to confirm a notary is on duty.
Working Independently
Mobile notary
You travel to clients. Common clients include hospitals (patients signing advance directives and POAs), jails (inmates signing legal documents), nursing homes, and people who cannot leave their home. You charge a travel fee on top of the $15 notarization fee. California does not cap travel fees; $25 to $75 is typical. See our list of 10 reasons to become a mobile notary.
Loan signing agent
Loan signing agents specialize in real estate closings. This is the highest-paying use of a notary commission: $75 to $200 per appointment. You walk borrowers through 100 to 150 pages of loan documents, notarize the required signatures, and return the package to the title company or lender. You need additional training beyond the standard 6-hour course. See our California signing agent course.
For more on earning potential, see how much a notary makes in California.
Apostille facilitation
California notaries cannot issue apostilles, but you can help clients prepare documents and deliver them to the Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Clients who need documents authenticated for international use (marriage certificates, degrees, corporate papers) will pay $100 to $250 per document for this convenience. You handle the notarization, the SOS submission, and return the authenticated document to the client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a notary commission the same as a license?
The official term is “commission.” You receive it from the Secretary of State after meeting all requirements. People commonly call it a license, but the legal term is commission.
Can I certify copies of any document?
No. California notaries can only certify copies of powers of attorney and entries in their own journal. Birth certificates, diplomas, and contracts require different processes through the issuing agency.
Can I work as a notary full time?
Yes, especially as a loan signing agent or mobile notary. Most notaries start part time and transition to full time as their client base grows. Signing agents who build relationships with title companies can fill their schedule with closings.
Do I need a separate license to be a mobile notary?
No. Your notary commission covers mobile work. You just charge the standard notarization fee plus whatever travel fee you set. No additional permits or licenses are required.
Can I start my own notary business?
Yes. See our guide on how to start a notary business for the details. You can operate as a sole proprietor under your own name, or form an LLC for liability protection.
How long does a California notary commission last?
4 years. You must complete a 3-hour refresher course and pass the exam again to renew. Start the renewal process at least 6 months before your commission expires.
