How to Become a Notary Public in Riverside County, California

Notaries public must verifiy the identity of anyone who needs a notary signature.

Riverside County, California notary public applicants must be willing to abide by the rules that go along with being a notary public in the state. Notaries are representatives of California whose signatures and stamps are used to prove the identity of the person or persons whose signatures are on official forms. The purpose of a notary is to eliminate fraud and forgery and to attest to the fact that a person whose signature is on a notarized form is not under duress and is of capable mind to offer his signature.

Instructions

1. Register for the California Notary Public Exam by calling 916-263-3520. The cost is $40, as of 2010, and the test can only be taken once a month if you fail. The cost to re-take the test is $20. The Riverside County exam center provides the course materials you need to study for the exam.

2. Obtain a Notary Public Application form from the California Secretary of State's office or website. Carefully read the extensive instructions provided on the form. You must be 18 years old or older to become a notary.

3. Fill out the application with your name, address, Social Security number, business information and the information from your "Notification of Passing" certificate from your California Notary Public Exam.

4. Answer the "Yes or No" questions on the application and disclose any and all convictions you have on your record. Sign your notary application.

5. Contact any police station in Riverside County to have your fingerprints taken to include with your notary application. Enclose your application, fingerprints and a 2-by-2-inch passport photo of yourself in an envelope and mail to:

   Secretary of State's Office

   Notary Public Section

   Post Office Box 942877

   Sacramento, CA 94277-0001

Tips & Warnings

• You will be notified by mail of your notary public acceptance or denial. If you are commissioned as a notary, your stamp and certificate will be included with your notification.

References

• CPS Human Resource Services: Take a Test

Resources

• California Secretary of State: Notary Public Application