How to Become a Notary Public Teacher in California

There are over 225,000 commissioned notaries in California.

According to the California Secretary of State, there are over 225,000 commissioned notaries public in California. A notary plays an important role in the real estate, legal, finance and business communities. Notaries can acknowledge a signer's identity, bear witness to an oath, and certify a copy of a power of attorney document. Becoming a notary public teacher requires experience in the notarization field and a desire to teach.

Instructions

1. Obtain a notary public commission to learn about being a notary public and gain credibility in the field. Take the six-hour required training course from an approved vendor on the Secretary of State website. Submit your application to the California Secretary of State upon passing the notary exam.

2. Gain professional experience as a notary public. Advertise your notary services on Craigslist.com. Notarize documents for title companies, mortgage brokers, real estate agents and private parties.

3. Apply for employment with local notary public training companies. Search for local, approved notary public training schools by conducting a search on the Secretary of State website. Call or email each company to find out if the company has instructor openings and what application procedure they use.

4. Start your own notary public education company. Write a notary public class lesson plan and submit it to the California Secretary of State for vendor approval. Go to the Secretary of State website for specific notary lesson plan requirements. Once approved, your company will be listed on the Secretary of State website as an approved notary education provider.

5. Schedule a notary public class in your community. Contact your local arts and recreation department about offering notary public classes for a fee, or rent meeting space at an office building to conduct your class.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing a six-hour training course, consider an online or self-study class. It will allow you to take the class at home, which is convenient.

• Never provide legal advice about a document when providing notarial services. Doing so could lead to losing your notary commission and legal liability.

References

• California Secretary of State Debra Bowen: Vendor Applications
• California Secretary of State Debra Bowen: Check List