Approved vendors
Check before you pay.
Only education from a Secretary of State approved vendor counts. Here is how to verify a provider, and what approval does not tell you.
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Why approval matters
California requires first-time notary applicants to complete six hours of education from a vendor the Secretary of State has approved. Renewing notaries take an approved three-hour course. When you sit the exam, you present a Proof of Completion, and it is only valid if it comes from an approved vendor.
If you take an unapproved course you lose the money and the time, and you still cannot sit the exam. This is the single most expensive mistake a new applicant can make.
How to check a provider
- Look for a vendor number. Every approved vendor is issued one. Ours is #607272. Approved providers state it openly, usually in the footer or on the about page.
- Check the Secretary of State list. The state publishes its approved education vendors. If a provider is not on it, no amount of professional-looking marketing changes the outcome.
- Be wary of vague wording. “State compliant”, “meets California requirements” and “certified” are not the same as approved. The word you want is approved, with a number beside it.
- Check it covers California. Notary education is state specific. A general notary course from a national provider may not be approved here.
A free preview, so you can see and hear what the class is actually like.
Common questions
How do I know if a notary class is state approved in California?
Is EZ Notary Class approved by the California Secretary of State?
What happens if I take an unapproved course?
Does an out-of-state notary course count in California?
How to choose between approved providers · What it all costs