Posted by kathy/ca on 11/18/08 10:03pm
Msg #270039

In CA, is it necessary to purchase a bond BEFORE filing and

taking the oath with the County Clerks office? I was all set to go to the CC office tomorrow and while reading over all the material, if I am reading it right, I need to have the bond with me when I go there. Is that true? I would appreciate any comments from my fellow CA notaries. Thanks!

Reply by LCS_CA on 11/18/08 10:14pm
Msg #270040

Yes, you must have the bond with you when you go to the clerk / recorder's office.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/18/08 10:37pm
Msg #270042

Yes....

That's why you "file your bond" and take your oath at the clerk's office. You can't file a bond if you haven't purchased it.

Per state law and the handbook (page 32):

"No later than 30 days after the beginning of the term prescribed in the commission, every
person appointed a notary public shall file an official bond and an oath of office in the office of
the county clerk of the county within which the person maintains a principal place of business
as shown in the application submitted to the Secretary of State, and the commission shall not
take effect unless this is done within the 30-day period."


You really should hurry because you only have 30 days from the date on your commission certificate and if you miss it, they will not extend. You'll have to file a whole new application and get your prints done again. It's nothing to mess with.

Reply by kathy/ca on 11/19/08 12:26am
Msg #270049

All I was getting at here was whether or not the bond had to

be in my possession at the time I took my oath. Isnt it conceivable that one could purchase a bond and not have it in their possession but perhaps have a confirmation that shows the bond has been purchased? In fact that is the case, bond purchased but not yet received, tomorrow was a convenient day to make the drive, yada, yada, guess I will have to wait until the bond is in my hand to go to the CC office. Thanks for all your input!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/19/08 12:57am
Msg #270051

Well... I never actually thought that that to be the case...

After all, you have to file your bond with your oath. How could you possibly file a bond you do not have? I've never once thought otherwise. You cannot take your oath until you file your bond with the clerk... that's why it's done at the same time.

I do understand the hassle of getting to a clerk's office, though. In LA County, it's a real nightmare because they are "remodeling" one of the biggest offices right now and as a result lines elsewhere are ridiculous.

Reply by Becca_FL on 11/18/08 10:57pm
Msg #270045

kathy/ca a/k/a kwink...you've been at this how long and you

still don't have a clue? This troubles me...and others, I'm sure. Please read your state manual. You've been running this game for years now, but you still come up with such fundamental questions? Things that make you go Hmmmm.

Reply by davidK/CA on 11/19/08 12:15am
Msg #270048

It's sad to see another example of not reading the handbook.

To obtain a NP Commission in CA or to renew an expiring commission requires the applicant to take a class and then a test. Unfortunately, the classes seem to be designed to just "pass the test" and nothing more. RTFM just doesn't seem to be something that they teach in the class, and as a result there are always questions like this one posted by NSAs who should know where the answers are located --- in the manual (or "Handbook" in CA).

IMHO that's very unprofessional and irresponsible.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/19/08 12:45am
Msg #270050

Re: It's sad to see another example of not reading the handbook.

Agreed and that's why I really wish people were not allowed to take the exam immediately after a 6-hour long seminar. It cannot possibly do them any good. Plus, the exam is far too easy to pass. The questions are decent enough, but you can miss 9 out of 30 and still pass.

Ify ou note on some profiles of those that teach the classes, or websites that offer the seminars, they say teach you how to pass the test... not how to be a notary.

I'm sure there are some great teachers out there, and I know some people learn best in that kind of environment, but that should only be a starting point. I really believe that a person should not be allowed to sit for the exam until they have completed a small waiting period after course completion. Make them study!

Also, I feel that to be a fully commissioned notary there should be some level of apprenticeship to the commission process similar to how the State regulate real estate appraisers. Does it need to be as detailed or complicated? No. The job itself is pretty simple but there is a lot of knowledge and understanding of the law that a lot of notaries just don't seem to get. We've all seen the absolute basic questions being asked.

It doesn't bother me when people ask questions. After all, that's how we all learn. What bothers me are those who really SHOULD know better asking the questions.

I would be mortified if I felt the need to ask a question that was clearly covered in the handbook. There are always clarifications and unique applications of course, but some things are pretty basic and if you don't have the reading comprehension to know the basics...how can you possibly do the job? I'm not directing this to the original post per se, just in general. Although it does seem to apply in this situation.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/19/08 8:48pm
Msg #270103

Re: It's sad to see another example of not reading the handbook.

I completely agree -- except that I doubt the apprenticeship part would be workable! I also have to agree with Becca in this case. Kathy, I don't know if it's laziness on your part or problems with comprehension, but it does make me wonder how you deal with issues that come up at the signing table. Over the years, you've asked lots of basic questions that you could have easily found the answers to with just a little bit more effort on your own. How about stepping up a bit and making the effort to become a professional?!