Notary Public              

A notary public is an official, appointed by the Secretary of State, to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official acts related to the signing of important documents.

Laws concerning notaries public are outlined in the California Government Code (GOV 8200-8230).  For information on becoming a notary public, visit the Secretary of State’s website or you can contact them at:

Secretary of State
Notary Division
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, CA 94277-0001
(916) 653-3595

The Secretary of State is the appointing authority for Notaries.  To qualify to become a Notary Public you must:
  • Be a legal resident of California;
  • Be at least 18 years of age;
  • Satisfactorily complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State;
  • Pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State; and
  • Pass a background check.

If your principal place of business is in Modoc County, within 30 days of the beginning of the term, you must take the oath of office either in the Modoc County Clerk's Office or before another Notary Public in Modoc County.

Filing at the Modoc County Clerk’s Office:

  • Notary Commission Certificate issued from the Secretary of State.
  • Two (2) original unsigned oaths of office forms issued by the Secretary of State.
  • Original bond of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) indicating the term of four (4) years.
  • Valid photo identification (such as driver’s license, passport, or military I.D.)
Filing before a NOTARY PUBLIC, mail to the Modoc County Clerk's Office, the following:

  • Photocopy of Notary commission certificate issued from the Secretary of State.
  • Two (2) original completed oaths of office forms issued by the Secretary of State. (Must be signed by the applicant and completed by the Notary Public who administered the oath).
  • Original bond of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) indicating the term of four (4) years.
  • Copy of bond for confirmation of filing.
  • Payment for filing and recording fees (two separate payments).
NOTE: Name appearing on commission, oaths, and bonds must be identical.

The Modoc County Clerk will then certify to the Secretary of State setting forth the fact of the filing and deliver the bond to the Modoc County Recorder for recording.  To do this we will need two separate payments:
  • To the Modoc County Clerk for the filing fee
  • To the Modoc County Recorder for the recording fee
Fees
  • Filing of an oath of office and bond: $7.00
  • Recording of bond $10.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page