California (CA)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research California notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference California notary details against the official state database.
Visit California Official Notary Database
How to Research a California Notary
1. Go to https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/notary-public-listing
2. Download the active notary public listing ZIP file.
3. Open the file and search for the notary by name or commission number.
4. Verify the commission number, county, and expiration date match.
2. Download the active notary public listing ZIP file.
3. Open the file and search for the notary by name or commission number.
4. Verify the commission number, county, and expiration date match.
How to Verify a California Notary's Signature
California notaries file their oath, bond, and signature specimen with the County Clerk-Recorder in the county of their principal place of business.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the County Clerk-Recorder's office in the county where the notary is (or was) based.
2. Request a signature authentication — the clerk compares the document signature against the specimen on file and can issue an authentication certificate.
3. A fee may apply (varies by county).
CA Secretary of State Notary Section: (916) 653-3595
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the County Clerk-Recorder's office in the county where the notary is (or was) based.
2. Request a signature authentication — the clerk compares the document signature against the specimen on file and can issue an authentication certificate.
3. A fee may apply (varies by county).
CA Secretary of State Notary Section: (916) 653-3595
Verifying Older California Documents
The online active-notary file only contains currently commissioned notaries. For expired commissions:
1. Contact the County Clerk-Recorder in the county where the notary was based — when a commission expires, notarial records are delivered to the county clerk, so historical records should be on file.
2. Alternatively, contact the CA Secretary of State Notary Section at (916) 653-3595 for archived commission records.
3. The county clerk can verify whether a notary was active at the time of notarization even for expired commissions.
1. Contact the County Clerk-Recorder in the county where the notary was based — when a commission expires, notarial records are delivered to the county clerk, so historical records should be on file.
2. Alternatively, contact the CA Secretary of State Notary Section at (916) 653-3595 for archived commission records.
3. The county clerk can verify whether a notary was active at the time of notarization even for expired commissions.
California Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
California has among the strictest notary seal requirements in the nation. An ink stamp is mandatory — an embossed seal alone has not been acceptable since January 1, 1992.
Stamp requirements (Gov. Code §§ 8207–8207.3):
- Shape: Rectangular (not more than 1" × 2½") or circular (not over 2" diameter) with a serrated or milled edge border
- Must include: Notary's name as on commission, "Notary Public", "State of California", commission number, commission expiration date, county of principal place of business, manufacturer's sequential ID number
- Must be photographically reproducible
- The seal must be kept in a locked and secured area under the notary's direct and exclusive control
- Must be defaced or destroyed upon commission expiration, resignation, or revocation
Stamp requirements (Gov. Code §§ 8207–8207.3):
- Shape: Rectangular (not more than 1" × 2½") or circular (not over 2" diameter) with a serrated or milled edge border
- Must include: Notary's name as on commission, "Notary Public", "State of California", commission number, commission expiration date, county of principal place of business, manufacturer's sequential ID number
- Must be photographically reproducible
- The seal must be kept in a locked and secured area under the notary's direct and exclusive control
- Must be defaced or destroyed upon commission expiration, resignation, or revocation
Contacting a California Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
California — Contacting the Notary for Verification
California has among the most detailed notary journal requirements in the nation. Notaries must maintain a sequential journal of all notarial acts (Gov. Code § 8206).
Right to inspect:
- Any member of the public may inspect the journal and request a copy of a specific line item by presenting a written request specifying the type of document, month and year of notarization, and the names of the parties (Gov. Code § 8206(e)).
- The notary must respond within 15 business days of receiving the request.
- The notary may charge up to $0.30 per page for copies.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date, time, type of document, identification method used, description of the identification (e.g., driver's license number, expiration date, issuing agency)
- Thumbprint: California notaries are required to obtain a thumbprint for certain documents (deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, powers of attorney affecting real property). The thumbprint is part of the journal and may be inspected.
- Signature of the signer as recorded in the journal
Key considerations:
- If the notary refuses a lawful request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- When a notary's commission expires, the journal must be delivered to the county clerk in the county of the notary's principal place of business, where it remains a public record.
- Contact: CA Secretary of State Notary Section — (916) 653-3595
Relevant statutes: Gov. Code §§ 8206, 8206(e), 8206.5
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
California has among the most detailed notary journal requirements in the nation. Notaries must maintain a sequential journal of all notarial acts (Gov. Code § 8206).
Right to inspect:
- Any member of the public may inspect the journal and request a copy of a specific line item by presenting a written request specifying the type of document, month and year of notarization, and the names of the parties (Gov. Code § 8206(e)).
- The notary must respond within 15 business days of receiving the request.
- The notary may charge up to $0.30 per page for copies.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date, time, type of document, identification method used, description of the identification (e.g., driver's license number, expiration date, issuing agency)
- Thumbprint: California notaries are required to obtain a thumbprint for certain documents (deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, powers of attorney affecting real property). The thumbprint is part of the journal and may be inspected.
- Signature of the signer as recorded in the journal
Key considerations:
- If the notary refuses a lawful request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- When a notary's commission expires, the journal must be delivered to the county clerk in the county of the notary's principal place of business, where it remains a public record.
- Contact: CA Secretary of State Notary Section — (916) 653-3595
Relevant statutes: Gov. Code §§ 8206, 8206(e), 8206.5
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.