California Code of Regulations

Title 2. Administration

Division 7. Secretary of State

Chapter 8. Notary Public

  • 20800. Notary Public Education and Certificate of Approval.
    • 20800.1 Lesson Plan.
    • 20800.2 Deficient Application or Lesson Plan.
    • 20800.3 Notification of Changes of Approved Vendor Information.
    • 20800.4 Lesson Plan Revisions.
    • 20800.5 Proof of Completion.
    • 20800.6 List of Attendees.
    • 20800.7 Secretary of State Attending Approved Course of Study.
    • 20800.8 Duty to Respond to a Written Request from the Secretary of State.
    • 20800.9 Cancellation or Delay of Scheduled Approved Course of Study.
  • 20801. List of Approved Vendors.
    • 20801.1 Grounds for Termination of a Certificate of Approval
    • 20801.2 Termination of Certificate of Approval.
    • 20801.3 Cancellation of Certificate of Approval.
  • 20802 Notary Public Fees.
  • 20803. Notary Public Examination.
  • 20804. Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines.

20800.   Notary Public Education and Certificate of Approval.

  1. Prior to offering any course of study pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) or paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 8201 of the Government Code, a vendor shall obtain a certificate of approval from the Secretary of State for each course of study offered.
  2. To apply for a certificate of approval, a vendor shall submit to the Secretary of State for approval a completed Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), hereby incorporated by reference, and a lesson plan satisfying the requirements in Section 20800.1.
  3. The Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of approval in accordance with subdivision (d) or deficiency notice in accordance with Section 20800.2 within ninety (90) business days of receipt of an application and lesson plan.
  4. (d) Upon approval of an application and lesson plan, the Secretary of State shall send a certificate of approval for the course of study as identified in the lesson plan to the vendor by first class mail to the address listed on the Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05). The certificate of approval shall include the following: the name of the approved vendor as listed on the Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05); the address listed on the Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05); the vendor identification number issued by the Secretary of State; and the date on which the course of study was approved by the Secretary of State. A certificate of approval is non-transferable and shall not be transferred to another vendor or another course of study.
  5. An approved vendor shall not alter or substitute the lesson plan reviewed and approved by the Secretary of State, unless such revisions are approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 20800.4.
  6. For the purposes of this chapter, an approved vendor shall be responsible for all employees, agents, instructors, contractors, and subcontractors providing an approved course of study on behalf of the approved vendor and the acts of the employees, agents, instructors, contractors, and subcontractors shall be deemed the acts of the approved vendor.

20800.1.   Lesson Plan.

A lesson plan shall meet the following requirements:

  1. The lesson plan shall be based on the laws of California concerning the functions and duties of a notary public.
  2. The lesson plan shall contain a table of contents and the pages of the lesson plan shall be consecutively numbered.
  3. The lesson plan shall be in sufficient detail to enable the Secretary of State to evaluate the specific information to be presented and to determine the accuracy of the information to be presented.
  4. The lesson plan shall contain the procedures to establish the identity of a person attending a course of study to whom proof of completion may be issued in accordance with Section 20800.5 and ensure that the information contained in the certificate of completion pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 20800.5 cannot be viewed by any person other than the approved vendor issuing the certificate, an employee, agent, instructor, contractor, or subcontractor of the approved vendor issuing the certificate, or the notary public applicant or notary public named in the certificate.
  5. The lesson plan shall contain the procedures to ensure that a person attending a course of study is present for the required time.
  6. The lesson plan shall include a schedule of the time allotted for the following:
    1. Lunch and break periods;
    2. Each major subject area;
    3. Each audio visual aid to be used, if any;
    4. Each student participation activity, if any; and
    5. Completion, correction, and discussion of any tests used and the method of correction to be used, if any.
  7. The lesson plan shall reflect where visual aids and student participation will be used to supplement lecture material. It shall explain the purpose of visual aids and student participation activity and describe how the instructor will generate the intended student participation. It shall include a brief synopsis of the information presented in any movie or video presentation, sufficient to enable the Secretary of State to determine what specific information is presented by the movie or video.
  8. Copies of any handout materials, workbooks, or tests used during the course of study shall be submitted for approval as part of the lesson plan.
  9. If the course provides for an evaluation by the students, a sample of the evaluation form shall be submitted with the lesson plan. Completion of the evaluation shall not exceed ten (10) minutes of class time.

20800.2.   Deficient Application or Lesson Plan.

  1. If the Secretary of State determines that a Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), is incomplete or a lesson plan does not satisfy the requirements of Section 8201 or 8201.2 of the Government Code or this chapter, the Secretary of State shall issue a deficiency notice containing an itemized description of the deficiencies identified. The deficiency notice shall be sent by the Secretary of State to the vendor by first class mail to the address listed on the Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05). The Secretary of State shall use his or her discretion in determining whether or not to return the lesson plan with the deficiency notice. The decision shall be based on cost effectiveness and efficiency to the Secretary of State.
  2. A vendor shall have thirty (30) business days from the date on which the deficiency notice was mailed by the Secretary of State to submit documentation to the Secretary of State curing the deficiencies identified in the deficiency notice.
  3. The Secretary of State may issue more than one deficiency notice to a vendor regarding the same Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), and lesson plan at any time during the review process.
  4. (d) The Secretary of State shall disapprove a Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), if the deficiencies are not cured in accordance with subdivision (b).
  5. Prior to the disapproval of an application or amendment, the vendor affected shall have the right to a hearing on the matter and the proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of the Government Code.
  6. Upon the effective date of a decision disapproving an application or amendment, a vendor may cure the deficiencies identified in the decision and submit a Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), in accordance with Section 20800.

20800.3.   Notification of Changes of Approved Vendor Information.

Within thirty (30) business days of any changes in the information contained in the application approved by the Secretary of State or most current amendment submitted to the Secretary of State, an approved vendor shall submit to the Secretary of State a Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), identifying the changes. It shall be the responsibility of an approved vendor to confirm receipt by the Secretary of State.

20800.4.   Lesson Plan Revisions.

  1. An approved vendor shall revise an approved lesson plan as necessary to ensure that the information provided in an approved course of study reflects current California law concerning the duties and functions of a notary public.
  2. Any proposed revisions to an approved lesson plan shall be approved by the Secretary of State prior to implementing the proposed revisions in an approved course of study.
  3. To apply for a certificate of approval for a revised lesson plan, an approved vendor shall submit a completed Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), and a revised lesson plan in accordance with Section 20800.
  4. The provisions in Sections 20800, 20800.1, and 20800.2 shall apply to a revised lesson plan.
  5. Upon approval of a revised lesson plan, the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of approval for the course of study as identified in the revised lesson plan. The certificate of approval shall include the following: the name of the approved vendor as listed on the most current Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05); the address on file with the Secretary of State as listed on the most current Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05); the vendor identification number issued by the Secretary of State; and the date on which the revised lesson plan was approved by the Secretary of State. A certificate of approval for a revised lesson plan is non-transferable and shall not be transferred to another vendor or another course of study.
  6. As of the approval date of the revised lesson plan as indicated in the certificate of approval, an approved vendor shall only utilize the revised lesson plan in an approved course of study.

20800.5.   Proof of Completion.

  1. An approved vendor shall issue proof of completion to a notary public applicant or notary public upon completion of an approved course of study, as provided in subdivision (c).
  2. An approved vendor shall ensure that only a person who has completed an approved course of study receives proof of completion, as provided in subdivision (c). If a notary public applicant or notary public fails to be present during any portion of an approved course of study, the approved vendor shall not issue a proof of completion to the notary public applicant or notary public, and the notary public applicant or notary public shall not receive credit for the time in which he or she was present.
  3. Proof of completion shall consist of a certificate signed by an approved vendor or an employee, agent, instructor, contractor, or subcontractor of an approved vendor, which contains the following information:
    1. The name of the approved vendor as it appears on the certificate of approval issued by the Secretary of State for the approved course of study.
    2. The name of the notary public applicant or notary public who completed the approved course of study.
    3. The type of photograph identification, identification number, expiration date, and state or country of issuance of the documentation establishing the identity of the notary public applicant or notary public who attended and completed the approved course of study.
    4. The date the notary public applicant or notary public completed the approved course of study.
    5. Whether the proof of completion is for a three-hour or six-hour course of study.
    6. The following statements: (A) proof of completion shall be valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance; and (B) proof of completion must be attached to the notary public application when submitted to the Secretary of State.
  4. Proof of completion of an approved course of study shall be valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance. If proof of completion is submitted to the Secretary of State more than two (2) years after the proof of completion was issued, the Secretary of State shall notify the notary public applicant or notary public that the proof of completion is not valid and instruct the notary public applicant or notary public to complete an approved course of study and submit a valid, current proof of completion to the Secretary of State.
  5. Proof of completion submitted to the Secretary of State with a notary public application shall not be returned to the notary public applicant or notary public.
  6. If a notary public application is submitted without proof of completion or proof of completion is submitted without a notary public application, the Secretary of State shall return it to the notary public applicant or notary public with notification of the deficiency.

20800.6.   Proof of Completion.

  1. An approved vendor shall maintain and secure a list of persons who attend each session of an approved course of study for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance of proof of completion for the session in which a list refers. The list shall include the following:
    1. The name of the approved vendor as listed in the certificate of approval for the approved course of study;
    2. The vendor identification number issued by the Secretary of State;
    3. The name of the instructor or instructors who taught the approved course of study;
    4. The date, time, and location of the approved course of study;
    5. The names of all the attendees in alphabetical order by the last name of the attendee and whether or not proof of completion was issued to each attendee; and
    6. The type of photograph identification, identification number, expiration date, and state or country of issuance of the documentation establishing the identity of the notary public applicant or notary public who attended and completed the approved course of study.
  2. An approved vendor shall not collect the social security numbers of any attendees.
  3. "Secure" as used in this section means that an approved vendor, former approved vendor, or employee, agent, instructor, contractor, or subcontractor of an approved vendor or former approved vendor shall not copy or release any list of attendees or any information contained therein to any person, except the Secretary of State, district attorney, city attorney, or Attorney General.

20800.7.   Secretary of State Attending Approved Course of Study.

An approved vendor shall permit the Secretary of State or representatives of the Secretary of State to attend any approved course of study without prior notice at no charge for the purpose of observation, monitoring, auditing, or investigating. Upon arrival at an approved course of study, the Secretary of State or representatives of the Secretary of State shall provide an approved vendor with a letter identifying the individual(s) attending the course pursuant to this section signed by the Secretary of State or a representative of the Secretary of State.

20800.8.   Duty to Respond to a Written Request from the Secretary of State.

It shall be the duty of an approved vendor to respond in writing within thirty (30) business days of receiving a written request from the Secretary of State for any information relating to a course of study offered by the approved vendor. The Secretary of State shall send a written request to the address, facsimile number, or email address listed on the most current Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, form NP40 (03/05), filed pursuant to Section 20800 or 20800.3.

20800.9.   Cancellation or Delay of Scheduled Approved Course of Study.

  1. Prior to charging any fees to a notary public applicant or notary public for an approved course of study, an approved vendor shall disclose the refund policy of the approved vendor.
  2. An approved vendor shall refund all fees within thirty (30) business days of a scheduled course date to any notary public applicant or notary public who registered to attend an approved course of study if one of the following occurs: (1) an instructor fails to appear at the scheduled time, date, and place of the approved course of study; or (2) an approved course of study is delayed in starting more than fifteen minutes (15) after the scheduled time, a notary public applicant or notary public immediately informs the approved vendor of his or her request for a refund, and leaves the approved course of study prior to it starting.

20801.   List of Approved Vendors.

  1. The list compiled in accordance with subdivision (c) of Section 8201.2 of the Government Code shall list approved vendors in alphabetical order according to the name of each vendor as listed on the most current Notary Public Education Vendor Application or Amendment, for NP40 (03/05), submitted to the Secretary of State.
  2. The Secretary of State may include the following information on the list of approved vendors for each approved vendor: the name of approved vendor in accordance with subdivision (a); a mailing address; a maximum of two (2) telephone numbers; a facsimile number; an email address; and a website address.
  3. The Secretary of State shall only update the list of approved vendors to add, delete, or amend approved vendor information, which is filed in accordance with Section 20800.3. An updated list of approved vendors shall be available by the first (1st) day of each month following the month during which there were additions, deletions, or amendments to the list of approved vendors. A certificate of approval must be issued by the Secretary of State or an amendment must be submitted to the Secretary of State by the fifteenth (15th) day of the preceding month to be reflected in the updated list of approved vendors available by the first (1st) day of the following month. If a certificate of approval is issued by the Secretary of State or an amendment submitted to the Secretary of State after the fifteenth (15th) day of a month, then the additions, deletions, or amendments shall be reflected in the updated list of approved vendors available by the first (1st) day of the second (2nd) month following the month in which the certificate of approval was issued by the Secretary of State or an amendment was submitted to the Secretary of State.
  4. The Secretary of State may also make a list of approved vendors available online at www.ss.ca.gov. The online list of approved vendors shall be in random order and searchable by the county or counties in which approved vendors provide approved courses of study. The online list shall be updated in accordance with subdivision (c).
  5. The Secretary of State reserves the right to delete any information from the list compiled pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 8201.2 of the Government Code or subdivision (d) of this section that the Secretary of State determines may be misleading to the public or of an inappropriate nature.

20801.1.   Grounds for Termination of a Certificate of Approval

  1. The Secretary of State may terminate a certificate of approval upon any of the following grounds:
    1. Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or Sections 8201 or 8201.2 of the Government Code.
    2. Misrepresentation of the laws of California concerning the duties and functions of a notary public.
    3. Deviation from the lesson plan for a course of study approved by the Secretary of State.

20801.2.   Termination of Certificate of Approval.

  1. Prior to the termination of a certificate of approval, the approved vendor affected shall have a right to a hearing on the matter and the proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of the Government Code.
  2. If the Secretary of State determines, after proceedings conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of the Government Code, that any approved vendor has committed or omitted acts constituting grounds for termination of the approved vendor's certificate of approval, the cancellation of the approved vendor's certificate of approval in accordance with Section 20801.3 shall not bar the Secretary of State from instituting or continuing an investigation or disciplinary proceedings. Upon completion of the disciplinary proceedings, the Secretary of State shall enter an order finding the facts and stating the conclusion that the fact would or would not have constituted grounds for termination of the certificate of approval if the certificate of approval had still been in effect.

20801.3.   Cancellation of Certificate of Approval.

  1. An approved vendor may cancel its certificate of approval by submitting a written notice of cancellation to the Secretary of State. Unless otherwise stated in the notice of cancellation, the effective date of the cancellation of the certificate of approval shall be thirty (30) business days after receipt of the notice of cancellation. It shall be the responsibility of a vendor to confirm receipt by the Secretary of State.
  2. Within thirty (30) business days of the effective date of a cancellation of a certificate of approval, a vendor shall refund all fees to all individuals who paid to take an approved course from a vendor if the course is scheduled after the effective date of the cancellation.

20802.   Notary Public Fees.

  1. The Secretary of State shall charge a twenty dollar ($20) processing fee for notary public applications to cover the costs of administering the program. The processing fee is nonrefundable.
  2. Upon written request, a notary public may obtain a duplicate commission certificate from the Secretary of State for a fee of ten dollars ($10) per certificate.

20803.   Notary Public Examination.

The written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State to determine the fitness of an applicant to exercise the functions of the office of notary public shall be a proctored examination administered by the Secretary of State or an agent of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State or an agent of the Secretary of State shall charge a twenty dollar ($20) examination fee which shall be payable at the examination site. The examination fee is nonrefundable. The examination results shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of the examination.

20804.   Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines.

  1. In reaching a decision on a disciplinary action under the Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code section 11400 et seq.), the Secretary of State shall consider the disciplinary guidelines entitled "Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines 2012" which are hereby incorporated by reference. Deviation from the "Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines 2012" is appropriate when the Secretary of State in his or her sole discretion determines that the facts of the particular case warrant such deviation (e.g., nature and severity of the act, the presence of mitigating factors or evidentiary problems).
  2. The publication entitled "Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines 2012" is available on the internet at www.sos.ca.gov or contact the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, Attention: Publications, 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, California 95814.

Note: Authority: Sections 8220 and 11400.20, Government Code.
Reference: Sections 11400.20 and 11425.50(e), Government Code.