Posted by FeliseSoCal on 8/9/10 8:24pm
Msg #348256

California new commissions nightmare... read this

My commission expires November 26 of 2010 so I started the process back in April. Took the class, passed the test, sent my live scan in April 22.
This weekend, August 7, I got a letter from the Secretary of State saying my life scan wasn't good enough and I have to redo it. Apparently the DOJ can reject your fingerprints if they don't think the scan is good enough to read. I got it done at the University police department where I've always had it done.
It took 3 1/2 months for me to find out that my live scan wasn't even accepted. I had no idea that this was possible. I went to redo it today but if they don't accept that, my commission will expire. You can request a name check through the FBI, but only after two rejection notices. And will that take another three months? Has anyone else had this happen?
What a nightmare!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/9/10 9:10pm
Msg #348265

This is fairly typical, sadly... and mostly because of the backup at the SoS's office more than anything else. Chances are that the results have been sitting at the SoS's since about a week after you submitted the scanned prints. The SoS's office routinely files things by test date for processing applications. They don't even look at your file until they get to the files of people who took the exam on the date that they're processing. Only if they find a problem will it then be noticed --- unless you call and sweet talk somebody to pull your file and take a look, which is pretty much impossible.

A little known "trick" with the LiveScan is to continually monitor the status through an automated system that they have. The information is easily found on the DOJ's website... but not well known.

"...you may use the automated telephone system to check on your submission. You will need the following information: (1) your date of birth; and (2) the 10-digit Automated Transaction Identifier (ATI) number that appears at the bottom of the Department of Justice form requesting Live Scan fingerprint background checks. The ATI number always appears in the following sequence: 1 LETTER; 3 NUMBERS; 3 LETTERS and 3 NUMBERS."

The phone number is: (916) 227-4557

My suggestion -- go get the prints done again ASAP. Wait about 24 hours and call that number every single day. Once it tells you that the results have been submitted to the requesting agency, call the SoS's office and politely talk to them about your dilemma. If you get the right person, they will make sure your file gets processed as it should instead of sitting around for another review date to pop up.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 8/10/10 12:40am
Msg #348281

What was the problem with your life scan? Did your live scan not get sent by this vendor or were your fingerprints not printable for some reason?

You should not have a lapse in your commission (Nov 26, 2010) as it is taking approx 3 months to be a commissioned notary in CA.

Remember if you are a renewing notary in CA you won't receive your commission in the mail until 30 days before your commission expires.

This means you passed the test, had your fingerprints taken, and don't have any issues with passing our DOJ & FBI background checks.

Reply by lucky/ca on 8/10/10 2:12pm
Msg #348371

Wow Felise. What a nightmare. I am so glad you shared this though as I too am a CA notary and had no idea it could take that many months and then be told your live scans are not accepted.

Thank you for sharing this for CA notaries and all notaries. If there is anything we can do to help, let us know.

Can you complain to the SOS office?

Good luck with this and keep us updated.