Notary Public Handbook - California Page 3
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48Secretary of State
State of California
January 2006
Dear Californian:
Welcome to the official source of laws relating to notaries public in California. You have
demonstrated an interest in becoming part of a growing profession of more than 260,000 public
officials who perform invaluable services to the legal, business, financial, and real estate
communities.
This Notary Public Handbook has been designed for you to supplement your course of study,
which will prepare you for the notary public examination. It is strongly recommended that, once
commissioned, you keep your Notary Public Handbook to use as a ready reference to assist you
in the performance of your duties as a notary public.
New legislation adopted and effective January 1, 2006, amended Civil Code section 1189,
Government Code section 8225, Penal Code section 470, and Family Code section 9003; and
added Government Code sections 8214.8 and 8228.1. These amendments and new laws
standardize the certificate of acknowledgment, which is the most common form used by notaries
public; and apply strict penalties to persons who willfully violate notary laws with regard to the
notary public journal and the notary public seal. Although not previously included in the Notary
Public Handbook, new legislation amended Family Code section 9003 to authorize, in a stepparent
adoption, the consent of either or both birth parents to be signed in the presence of a notary
public.
Look for a summary of the amendments and new laws in the section entitled, AMENDMENTS
AND NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2006, which is new to the Notary Public Handbook
this year. Information concerning the amendments and new laws listed above are addressed in
this section for your convenience. The text of the amendments and new laws is included in the
appropriate code portion of the handbook. As you know, keeping up-to-date with changes in the
law enables you to perform your duties with confidence. In addition, the General Information
portion has been expanded to include detailed information about identification, conflicts of interest,
and subscribing witnesses.
A copy of the Notary Public Handbook, as well as additional information regarding the
qualifications and procedures you must follow to become a notary public, are available on the
Secretary of State’s website at
On behalf of the people of California, thank you for your interest in performing an important
public service as a notary public.
Sincerely,
Notary Public & Special Filings Section
Business Programs Division
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