NOTARY CLASS ONLINE.COM INFO
NCO Calls: 800-909-0042 | NCO Faxes: 800-670-0367
Mailing Address: 1955 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Approved School: www.NotaryClassOnline.com (On 1/1/09 the DLC course went live. Before that we used content from the National Notary Association that was approved under our name NCO.)
Recovery Discount: $10 discount code = Customer Service NCO

Course Specifics:
State Approved: Yes, NotaryClassOnline.com's license number is 600581.
Age Requirement: 18 years old
Course Fee: $49.00
Length of Course: 6 hours
Timers: No
Videos: No
Units:
  • 12 units in course
  • Review quiz at the end of each unit
  • 70% correct need to pass quiz
  • Unlimited retakes on quizzes
  • Content includes the following topics:
    • The Notary Public
    • Steps to Notarization
    • Notarial Acts
    • The Notary's Journal and Seal
    • Notary Fees
    • Special Appointments/Provisions
    • Notary Misconduct
    • Notarizing in Special Situations
Final Exam:
  • 30 questions
  • 50 min to take exam (just like State Exam)
  • 70% correct needed to pass (You need to get 21 questions correct, you can only miss 9)
  • Unlimited retakes allowed
Verified Testing: No
Certificate Handling
Once you complete the course you will print your certificate of completion. You must staple your certificate of completion to your notary public application or renewal application with your 2" x 2" passport photo. You will take the certificate and application to the state exam and turn them into the state representative at check-in.
Reasons for taking course:
To become a Notary Public who is a Public servant commissioned by the State of California to prove the authenticity of signatures and administer affirmations and oaths.
How Frequently Course can be Taken
Commission lasts 4 years and you can take the course as early as 6 months prior to your commission expiring. Test results are valid for one year from the date of the examination.
Monitoring Agencies
None
Links
Secretary of State: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/ 1-916-653-3595
Online Handbook: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/handbook.htm
CPS: http://notary.cps.ca.gov/ 1-916-263-3520
LiveScan Form: http://sos.ca.gov/business/notary/forms/notary_livescan.pdf
TruScan Fingerprint Services (Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Mendocino Counties): http://www.truscanfingerprints.com/
FAQs
CA SOS Detailed FAQs: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/faqs.htm

How much does all of this cost?

  • Online Course: $49.00
  • New Commission Application: $20
  • Exam: $20 (Note: the Application fee and the Exam Fee are paid together at the time of the state exam.)
  • Supplies: Supply costs vary based on the company you purchase them from.
*See Secretary of State for additional fees: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/forms.htm

How long does the state exam take?
The state exam is 50 minutes with 30 multiple choice questions.

How soon will I get my exam results?
10-14 business days after taking the exam. Contact CPS (916) 263-3520 M-F 8am-5pm

What is the passing score for the state exam?
You need to score a 70% or higher.

What do I bring with me to the State Exam?
You must bring your application, certificate of 6 hour completion, 2x2 passport photo, 2-#2 pencils and a check or money order payable to the Secretary of state for $40. Do not bring cash or credit card.

I have completed my approved 6 hour course of study and received my proof of completion certificate. What do I do with it?
Once you have completed your 6 hour course of study, staple your proof of completion to the application and 2x2 passport photo and take them with you to the state exam.

How do I schedule the state exam?
You can schedule your state exam online by visiting the CPS website. The test is scheduled through Cooperative Personal Services. CPS is contracted by the State of California Notary Division to administer the Notary Public written test.

How long do I have to take the state exam after I complete the course?
The certificate of completion is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. If a person seeking appointment does not pass the state exam before the expiration date of their Proof of Completion certificate, that person will have to satisfactorily complete another 6 hour course.

What is the oath and bond?
The oath of office is an oath or affirmation that the county recorder gives the notary candidate. It states that you will perform your duties as a Notary, act with integrity and uphold the laws of the office of the notary public. The oath of office may be taken either in the office of the county clerk or before another notary public in the county. If it is taken before a notary public, the oath and bond may be filed with the county clerk by certified mail. Upon filing the oath and bond, the county clerk will notify the Secretary of state and will deliver the bond to the county clerk for recording.

I have taken a course in the past, am I still required to take the 6 hour course? I have been a notary public for over 20 years. Will I still be required to take the initial 6 hour course?
Yes, everyone, including those notaries public who have held previous commission terms, are required to complete the 6 hour course from an approved vendor prior to appointment or reappointment as a notary public. In the past, you were not required to take these courses prior to being appointed, and those courses available were not approved by the Secretary of State. However, now that mandatory education is one of the qualifications you must meet in order to become a Notary Public, you are required to complete the approved course of study in order to qualify. After completing the 6 hour course, a 3 hour course is required for reappointment provided that your commission does not lapse.

Can the 6 hour course be taken in place of the 3 hour refresher course?
Yes, a 6 hour approved course satisfies the state requirement for a 3 hour course. A 6 hour course always satisfies the education requirement regardless if you are a new applicant or applying for reappointment.

How soon can I begin notarizing?
You can begin notarizing documents after you have filed your bond and oath of office with the county recorder's office in your principal place of business. Please note that commission does not become active until the oath and bond are filed. Once this step is completed and you have all your notary supplies you can begin notarizing documents.

Steps to Becoming a Notary Public
  1. Complete a 6 hour approved education course. This is required for all new and renewing Notary Public. You will print out a Certificate of Completion.
  2. Register for the California Notary State Exam. (call CPS at 916-263-3520 or register online at http://notary.cps.ca.gov.
  3. Download and print the California Notary Application. This is available on the Secretary of State website. Be sure to fill out the application entirely before arriving to the state exam. Incomplete applications may be rejected or delayed.
  4. Have a 2x2” passport photo taken.
  5. Attach the Certificate of Completion, and 2x2” passport photo to the application.
  6. Take the California Notary State Exam
  7. While waiting for exam results, download and submit Fingerprints via LiveScan for DOJ (Department of Justice) and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). Results can take 6-8 weeks to come back.
  8. Once the fingerprints and background checks are submitted to the state for review and processing, it can take as long as 12 weeks for the state to approve your commission.
  9. Commission package will be delivered to you.
  10. Purchase notary supplies. There is a 30 day time limit for ordering supplies.
    • Notary Surety Bond for $15,000
    • Notary Seal
  11. Once supplies are in hand, you must go to the County Clerks office in the county where your principal base of business is located. Here you will take the Notary Oth of Office and file your Notary Surety Bond with the county clerk.
  12. You can now begin performing your duties as a Notary Public.

Requirements to Become a Notary Public
  • Must be a resident of the State of California
  • Be 18 years of age.
  • Complete the 6 hour mandatory course.
  • Pass a written examination
  • Complete the application
  • Pass background check for FBI and DOJ by LiveScan Fingerprint
  • No Felony conviction
  • Here is a link to the notary qualifications: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/qualifications.htm

Loan Signing Course
We used to offer a Loan Signing course for people who wanted to learn specifically about loan documents and to have something to show title companies in order to work for them. The course is no longer available on our site as of October 2006. The new requirement through NNA (National Notary Association) is that after taking the Loan Signing course they need to get a background check done and take a State Exam to be certified loan signing agents. If you get any calls regarding students who are still in our course or who have recently completed it, tell them to get the certification by contacting NNA at 1-800-876-6827 or by going to www.nationalnotary.org/NSAcertification.Top
Price Matching
Although we do not advertise that we price match for NCO, we will do so on an individual basis if the student requests it. Before price matching, verify the price on the competitor's website including any hidden fees.
Refund Policy
100% guaranteed. If you don't finish you don't pay.
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