Disqualifications to become a Notary Public
The Secretary of State will recommend denial of an
application for the following reasons:

  • Failure to disclose any arrest or conviction
  • Conviction of a felony where not more than 10 years have passed since the completion of probation
  • Conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor where not more than 5 years have passed since the completion of probation
For more information about disqualifications, please review the current Notary Public Disciplinary Guidelines, available on the California Secretary of State's website at www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/disciplinary-guidelines.htm.

The most common disqualifying convictions are listed below;
however, this list is not all-inclusive.

  • Accessory
  • Arson-related offenses
  • Assault
  • Auto theft
  • Battery
  • Burglary
  • Carrying a concealed weapon
  • Carrying a loaded firearm in a public place
  • Child molestation
  • Child pornography
  • Conspiracy
  • Discharge of a firearm in a public place or into an inhabited dwelling
  • Drugs, possession for sale and sale
  • Embezzlement
  • Escape without force
  • Failure to comply with a court order
  • Failure to pay child support
  • Failure to return to confinement
  • False financial statements
  • False imprisonment
  • Fraud involving, but not limited to, bank cards, credit cards, insufficient funds/checks, insurance, mail, Medi-Cal or Medicare, real estate, tax, and welfare
  • Fraudulent impersonation of a peace officer
  • Hit and run
  • Kidnapping-related offenses
  • Manslaughter
  • Pimping and pandering
  • Possession of an unregistered firearm
  • Practicing without a license when a license is required
  • Prostitution
  • Rape
  • Receipt of stolen property
  • Resisting or threatening a peace officer
  • Robbery
  • Solicitation
  • Statutory rape
  • Tax evasion
  • Terrorist threats
  • Theft, grand and petty, including burglary and robbery
  • Threats to commit a crime involving death or great bodily injury
Please note: When a recommendation is made to deny an application, the applicant has
the right to appeal the recommendation through the administrative hearing process.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions concerning the disclosure of convictions or arrests, contact the Secretary of State prior to signing the application. If you do not recall the specifics about your arrest(s) and/or conviction(s), you can contact the California Department of Justice at (916) 227-3849.
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