California notary education

Become a California notary, one short lesson at a time.

Practice for the California notary exam today with short, self-paced lessons. Our 6-hour and 3-hour courses open as soon as the state approves them.

Choose your course How it works
143video lessons in the 6-hour course
100%online and self-paced
60 daysof access, one-time price
Courses

Pick the course for where you are.

Exam Prep is open now. The 6-hour and 3-hour courses are built and waiting on state approval. Join the waitlist and we will email you the day they open.

New applicants Coming soon

6-Hour California Notary Course

For first-time California notary applicants.

$45.99at launch

Waiting on state approval. Join the waitlist to hear the day it opens.

  • 25 modules, 143 short video lessons
  • Written notes with every lesson
  • Lessons unlock in order so you never miss a step
  • Certificate of Completion when you finish
  • 60 days of access, on your phone, tablet or computer

Inside the course

  1. 01Introduction3
  2. 02Application and Appointment12
  3. 03Commission6
  4. 04Managing a Commission7
  5. 05The Notarial Journal10
  6. 06The Notary Public Seal9
  7. + 19 more modules, through the application checklist
Join the waitlist
Renewals Coming soon

3-Hour California Notary Renewal Course

For notaries renewing their California commission.

$45.99at launch

Waiting on state approval. Join the waitlist to hear the day it opens.

  • 23 modules of focused video lessons
  • Self-paced, pick up where you left off
  • Certificate of Completion when you finish
  • 60 days of access on any device
Join the waitlist
Exam readiness

California Notary Exam Prep

Practice before your state exam.

$19.99one-time
  • 100-question practice exam
  • Exam-day strategy lessons
  • Retake the practice exam as often as you like for 60 days
See the Exam Prep
How the course works

Built so you actually finish.

The course is laid out the way people really study: in small pieces, in order, with your progress always in view.

Short lessons, one idea each

Every lesson is a few minutes long, so you can study on a lunch break and always know exactly where you left off.

Video plus written notes

Watch the lesson, then read the notes below it. Come back to any finished lesson whenever you want a refresher.

Progress that saves itself

Your place is saved on every device. A progress bar shows how much is left, module by module.

Certificate when you finish

Complete the final lesson and your Certificate of Completion is ready to download in your account.

Works on your phone

Built for small screens first. No app to install, just log in from any browser.

Real people answer

Questions about the course or the application process go to our team, not a chatbot.

The path to your commission

From course to commission in five steps.

Here is the whole process. Our step-by-step guide covers each step in detail.

  1. 01

    Complete an approved course

    Finish a 6-hour course from a Secretary of State approved education vendor and keep your certificate.

  2. 02

    Pass the state exam

    Register for and pass the California notary exam.

  3. 03

    Get fingerprinted

    Submit fingerprints through Live Scan for the background check.

  4. 04

    Receive your commission

    The Secretary of State mails your commission packet.

  5. 05

    File oath and bond

    Buy your seal and journal, then file your oath and bond with your county clerk.

Questions

Straight answers.

Do I need to take a class to become a notary in California?

Yes. California requires first-time notary applicants to complete a 6-hour course of study from a Secretary of State approved education vendor before taking the state exam. Renewing notaries whose commission is still current can take a 3-hour refresher course instead.

Are your 6-hour and 3-hour courses state-approved?

Not yet. Both courses are built and waiting on approval from the California Secretary of State, so we aren't selling them until that approval comes through. Join the waitlist on either course page and we'll email you the day it opens. Our Exam Prep course is open now.

What's the difference between the 6-hour and 3-hour courses?

The 6-hour course is for first-time applicants and covers California notary law from the ground up. The 3-hour course is a refresher for notaries renewing a current commission. Both end with a Certificate of Completion.

How soon can I start?

Right away. After checkout you come straight back to our site, set your password, and your course is waiting in your account.

How does the course work?

Each lesson is a short video with written notes underneath. Lessons unlock in order, and each one has a short minimum time before you can mark it complete. Your progress saves automatically, so you can stop and come back any time.

How long do I have access?

60 days from the day you enroll. That's plenty of time to finish at your own pace, and you can go back to any lesson you've completed until your access ends.

When do I get my Certificate of Completion?

As soon as you complete the last lesson. It appears in My Certificates in your account as a PDF you can download and print.

Can I take the course on my phone?

Yes. The course works in any modern browser on a phone, tablet or computer. There's nothing to install.

Is Golden State Notary Pro a government agency?

No. Golden State Notary Pro is an independent notary education company. Notary commissions are issued by the California Secretary of State.

Start today

Your notary commission starts with one lesson.

Start practicing for the state exam today, or join the waitlist for the 6-hour and 3-hour courses.

Choose your course