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Notary Public Information

How to File Your Bond and Oath:

File with the County Clerk's Office on or before date noted on the Oath.

In Person:      All items listed below must be brought to the Santa Cruz County Clerk's office located at: 701 Ocean St. Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  • Commission, 2 copies of Oath issued by the Secretary of State, and current, government issued photo identification.
  • Notary bond for $15,000 must be provided.
  • Names on Commission, bond, and oath must be exactly the same.
  • Cash, check, or money order for $38 payable to County Clerk.
  • Check or money order to record bond payable to County Recorder. $17 for the cover sheet and 1st page of the bond, $3 each for any additional pages. The cover sheet will be provided by the County Clerk.
  • Must be completed within 30 days of commission issuance date.

By Mail:      All items listed below must be mailed to: Santa Cruz County Clerk, 701 Ocean Street, Rm. 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

  • A copy of your Commission, and the 2 copies of the Oath issued by the Secretary of State which have been completed and notarized by the Notary Public administering the oath of office.
  • Notary bond for $15,000, and a cover sheet with your name and the name and address to which the bond should be mailed once it is recorded.
  • Names on Commission, bond, and oath must be exactly the same.
  • Check or money order for $38 payable to the County Clerk.
  • Check or money order to record bond payable to County Recorder. $17 for the cover sheet and 1st page of the bond, $3 each for any additional pages.
  • Must be completed within 30 days of commission issuance date.

Notary Resignation/Surrender of Notary Journals

Per Government Code Section 8209 (a): Any notary public who resigns, is disqualified, or removed from office, or allows his or her appointment to expire without obtaining reappointment within 30 days, shall deliver all notarial records and papers to the clerk of the county in which the notary public's current official oath of office is on file. If the notary willfully fails or refuses to deliver all notarial records and papers to the county clerk within 30 days, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be personally liable for damages to any person injured by that action or inaction.

Per Government Code Section 8209 (b): In the case of the death of a notary public, the personal representative of the deceased shall promptly notify the Secretary of State of the death of the notary public and shall deliver all notarial records and papers of the deceased to the clerk of the county in which the notary public's official oath of office is on file.