CA SOS Notary

Notary Public Application and Apostille Processing Times Update

The California Secretary of State Notary Public Section has updated processing times for notary applications and apostille requests. Notary public applications with exam dates of February 21, 2026 are currently being processed; reappointment applicants will receive commissions no sooner than 30 days prior to current commission expiration. Apostille mail requests from March 25, 2026 are being processed in Sacramento; in-person submissions are processed within 30 minutes at Sacramento or Los Angeles offices with arrival by 4:30 p.m. A $6.00 special handling fee applies to in-person document submissions.

Apostille Pop-Up Shops, San Francisco to Martinez

The California Secretary of State announces upcoming Apostille Pop-Up Shop events at five California locations through June 2026. These pop-up services provide in-person apostille authentication for documents intended for international use. This announcement does not create new compliance obligations, penalties, or deadlines.

California Notary Commission and Apostille Fee Schedule

The California Secretary of State Notary Division publishes its official forms and fee schedule for notary-related services. Fees include $40 for new or reappointing commission applications, $20 for exam retakes, $10 for duplicate commissions, and $20 per apostille. Special handling fees of $6 apply to in-person requests for authenticated signatures and commission forms. Several services including name changes, address changes, seal authorizations, and journal seizure reports are provided at no charge.