Notary Public License Cost in California
In California, documented Notary license fees total $20 — application $20. The state requires 6 hours of pre-license education; tuition for that training is set by each school and is not included above. Always confirm the current schedule with California Secretary of State before paying.
Figures below come from the same dataset as the full guide and list only what the state publishes. Anything not published is marked “varies — check the board” rather than guessed.
Notary license cost — California at a glance
| Pre-license education | 6 hrs required — tuition varies by school |
| Exam fee | Varies — check the board |
| Application fee | $20 |
| License fee | Varies — check the board |
| Documented fees total | $20 |
Official source: California Secretary of State ↗
Frequently asked questions
What does a Notary license cost in California?
Documented fees in California total $20: application $20. Pre-license education is the biggest variable cost and is set by each school, not the board.
Are the exam fee and the license fee the same thing in California?
No. The exam fee covers sitting for the test, while the application and license fees cover processing and issuing the credential. Each is listed separately in the table above where the state publishes it.
How much does Notary training cost in California?
California requires 6 hours of pre-license education. Tuition is set by each approved school and varies widely, so contact the programs on your state's approved list for current prices.
Is a Notary license in California worth the cost?
Compare your expected local earnings against the documented fees before enrolling; the state board can point you to typical market data.
Budget your Notary licensing in California
This page is informational and not legal advice. Fees, pass rates and retake rules change frequently — verify all figures with California Secretary of State and your exam vendor before paying (retrieved 2026-08-20).