Notary Rules, News & Info

If you are a California Notary and your Commission is due to expire soon, you should be aware of some new rules. As of January 1st, 2008, all Notary applications need to include a 2” x 2” color (passport style) photo attached to the application. Also new is the requirement to have Live Scan Fingerprints submitted to the Department of Justice and the FBI.

So where do you obtain these new, necessary items? Well, you can easily get your passport-type photo from any store that has a photo processing service. You can find places that do Live Scan Fingerprinting by contacting your local police department, or by checking out local services that offer both.

Since this requirement has gone into effect, many new businesses offering the combined service have opened. The photo runs between $10 – $20 and the fingerprinting averages about $30.Also keep in mind that you are still required to take the mandatory 6-hour Notary class. Rumor has it that a shorter refresher course may become available soon for renewing Notaries, however they will probably be hard to come by for a few years.

If you are shopping places to take the Notary Class, you might save yourself some time and money by choosing one that offers the photo and fingerprinting service.Whether you are renewing, or applying for the first time, all Notary applicants must complete the same application. For renewing notaries, there is a place on the application to note your previous Commission Number and Expiration Date.

Tags: New Notary Rules, Renewing Commission, State of California Notary