Posted by aanotary on 5/22/09 9:40am
Msg #289585

California turn around time?

Any recent experience on the time from the test to the commission? I need to renew. I am allowing 6 months - I think I should be safe...thank you!

Reply by janCA on 5/22/09 10:26am
Msg #289588

You'll be safe at 6 months. It's not like it used to be. It only took me a month from start to finish. I took the test mid-January, received my commission mid-March

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 5/22/09 10:33am
Msg #289591

10 to 12 weeks

Get your fingerprints taken as quick as possible to get your commission in this time frame.

When you get the 30 day letter in your commission letter from the Sec of State to take your Surety Bond by person or certified or registered mail to the County Clerk, make sure you don't go over 30 days.

If you do, you have to submit a new notary application to the Sec of State and everytime your submit an application, you have to have your fingerprints taken.

Reply by Tish/CA on 5/22/09 10:46am
Msg #289592

I agree with Jan, 6 months is plenty of time. It took me less that 3weeks this last Feb but I live in the Sacramento area so I was able to expedite the process by speaking to one of the supervisors at the SOS office personally picked up my new commission. They were very accommodating. The live scan process takes the longest. If You go through a private company you can usually get a same day appt.

Good luck to you.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/22/09 11:26am
Msg #289596

6 months is plenty of time, get everything and wait... just know that for renewals, the SoS will put your packet aside, even if they have everything, for processing until about a 5-6 weeks before your commission expires and you'll get your new commission about 30 days before, giving you just enough time to files the new oath/bond before your other commission expires.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 5/22/09 12:02pm
Msg #289605

I took the class to renew my commission 6 months prior to the previous one expiring. As others have already mentioned it will not be processed and sent to you until approx 4 to 5 weeks prior to the expiration of your previous commission.

Not Rot has a schedule of live classes listed under the tab labeled "Notary Public 101". I purchased a package that included the class, fingerprinting, and passport photos all at the same location.

Good luck to you!

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/22/09 11:51am
Msg #289601

Call me paranoid, but ...................

I was talking to an inside person last night about the coming budget cuts mandated by the California deficit, and a lot of legislators are highly angered about the propositions being defeated and they want to cut the budget in such a way that it will provide the most inconvenience to California residents. Also they want to punish those officials that would rather cut the budget than raise taxes. The California SOS is one of those officials. I would look for her office to be "punished" if some of these legislators get their way. If it were me, I would renew as soon as you can. Even though many notaries' commissions, including mine, were renewed quickly, past performance does not guarantee future results.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/22/09 12:05pm
Msg #289606

Re: Call me paranoid, but ...................

That's a good point, Glenn. Ugh.

You'd think that the legislators would get the hint. With a 9-10% sales tax already, the voters told them where to stuff their continued tax increases. 60-70% of the voters is pretty huge in this state... you'd think they'd listen. This State has plenty of places that need cutting... but that's for the politics board. At times I almost wish the state would just go bankrupt already... it would help close up some of the major spending bleeds this state has gotten itself in to.

I'm kind of glad I just went through the process a few months ago and don't need to worry about it for awhile.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/22/09 1:03pm
Msg #289624

Re: Call me paranoid, but ...................

Well, it's been my way during my life to prepare for the worst and it doesn't happen, heck, I can kick back and watch everyone else sweat because I am done already. Getting the jump on things may be a little more work in the beginning, but it sure frees up time on the back end.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/22/09 1:05pm
Msg #289625

Re: Call me paranoid, but ...................

**Getting the jump on things may be a little more work in the beginning, but it sure frees up time on the back end. **

Amen. Prepare for the worst and be happy when something better shows up!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/22/09 1:36pm
Msg #289630

Re: Call me paranoid, but ...................

Amen to both of you! that reminds me of that saying, "Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part…" or something like that.

Reply by Tish/CA on 5/22/09 1:06pm
Msg #289626

Re: Call me paranoid, but ...................

....I don't doubt what you're saying one bit, Glen. And isn't that just typical that our state legislators want to punish the people who pay their bloated salaries and perks because we didn't give them their toys. I wish we could vote them ALL out!

Reply by MikeC/NY on 5/22/09 5:12pm
Msg #289660

Re: Call me paranoid, but ...................

"a lot of legislators are highly angered about the propositions being defeated and they want to cut the budget in such a way that it will provide the most inconvenience to California residents."

Thereby insuring that they will not be re-elected in the next go-round... in the current economic environment, voters have long memories.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/22/09 7:23pm
Msg #289669

heh, Mike... not in California.

Believe me, there are some legislators that should have been voted out of office years ago. California has one really screwed up system.