Notary Public

Notaries public are commissioned by the California Secretary of State. After receiving your commission, you must file your oath of office with the County Clerk in the county where your main place of business is located.

Key points:

• Each commission lasts 4 years
• The Marin County Clerk keeps your oath of office for 1 year after your commission expires

The steps for filing your notary public oath are listed below.

You must file your notary public oath of office and a $15,000 bond with the Marin County Clerk within 30 days of your commission start date.

Before you can take the oath, make sure you have:

• A notary commission from the California Secretary of State
• Two signed oaths of office — file them by the date shown on the oath
• A notary bond for $15,000
• Payment for the notary oath filing fee
• Separate payment for recording the bond (paid to the Recorder’s Office)

Notary oath filing fee: $29
Payable to the Marin County Clerk by:

• Cash
• Check or money order (include your phone number)
• Credit or debit card (add $2.50 convenience fee per transaction)

Bond recording fee:
Payable to the Marin County Recorder

• $14 for the first page
• $3 for each additional page
  Pay using:
• Cash
• Check or money order (include your phone number)
• Credit or debit card (add $2.50 convenience fee per transaction)

You will receive two separate receipts—one from the Clerk’s Office and one from the Recorder’s Office.

You can take your notary oath in person at the Marin County Clerk’s Office or in front of another notary public in Marin County.

To take the oath in person

Go to the Marin County Clerk’s Office, Room 234 at the Marin Civic Center. Bring:

• Your original commission certificate from the California Secretary of State
• Two completed oaths of office
• Your $15,000 notary bond
• Payment for all required fees
• Valid photo ID

To file the oath by mail

If the oath of office is taken and subscribed before a notary public, the oath and bond may be filed with the county clerk by certified mail or any other means of physical delivery that provides a receipt. 

You must mail in the following documents:

• A copy of your commission certificate issued by the Secretary of State.
• 2 oaths of office forms.
• Bond.
• Fees.
• A short note with your contact information (email or phone number).

The notary is still required to pay the filing fee to the county clerk even if sworn in by another notary.

You may contact the California Secretary of State for more information on becoming a notary.