Posted by Joan Bergstrom on 3/9/10 1:21am
Msg #326034

Calif Notaries who are renewing

One of my students called me today and said he talked to the
CA Sec of State and they are renewing notaries who took the state test in Dec 2009.

This means it is going to be at least 3 -4 months to get your commission renewal.

Almost every renewing notary in my last several classes will not be renewed without a lapse!

This is not an exaggeration; trust me!

Take the exam at least 4 months before your commission is expiring. The CPA (they administer the state test in CA) have several Saturdays in 2010 when no state exams will be given.

If you have a 30 lapse between commissions you must take your journals over to the county clerk in CA where you got sworn in.

Reply by kmontyCA on 3/9/10 2:31am
Msg #326035

My commission expires in April of 2011 and I plan on starting the renewal process six months in advance. I did that the last time too and it worked out well. I don't want any lapse.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/9/10 9:33am
Msg #326053

When I renewed in September 2009, I found the biggest glitch was the FBI portion of the background check. Because it was the most recent addition to the screening process, it was taking longer and that is on top of the SOS processing. You gotta stay on top of the entire process, as the SOS is understaffed and has furlough days due to budget slashing. It's not going to get any better either. It is windy and cold in Nipomo. Full day of running around, gotta get ready for anything today.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/9/10 12:33pm
Msg #326073

I had the opposite experience...

The background check, for me, was actually almost instantaneous it seemed. The DOJ gives you a phone number that you can call to check on the status of your BGC. I had my prints done, on a Saturday, and a few hours later I called the number for fun and it said that BOTH the DOJ and the FBI has "sent their response" to the SOS. I was surprised. I think it just has to do with how common your name is, and if your prints are already in the system or not from previous checks. Mine were, both for the DOJ and FBI because of previous times that I've been printed for various reasons -- all job related.

The SOS told me that the delay (this was in the Fall of '08) wasn't the BGC, but simply that the SOS's office took about 6-8 weeks to process commissions. If the BGC was done when the applications came up for processing, then it went through...otherwise it got delayed. Mine went through seemingly quickly I think.... and I think I was lucky. Clearly.... a 6-8 week turnaround is complete wishful thinking now.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/9/10 8:15pm
Msg #326149

Re: I had the opposite experience...

I think you're absolutely right. I last renewed in June of '08, just a few months before you. I started four months before my commission expired and was OK (probably just barely), but I think you and I got through prior to the budget cuts and the furloughing of state employees. I imagine things have gotten much worse since then.

Reply by garland/CA on 3/9/10 9:35am
Msg #326054

any suggestions on on-site class?

has anyone taken the on-site class advertised on this site from National Learning Center? I remember a thread about classes a while ago. I'll search for it also, just wondering if anyone had experience with the one here.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/9/10 10:15am
Msg #326061

Re: any suggestions on on-site class?

Online classes are the way to go, especially if you know your stuff. It's a function of cost as you compare what's available out there. You still have to sit with the CPS (CA Proctor Service) to take their proctored test. The secret, as Joan will attest, is to have your live scan done rightaway, and your passport photo (WRITE YOUR NAME AND SSN on the back) because these little pix have a way of escaping the application they belong to! Can you imagine those poor SOS clerks trying to figure out which pic goes to which application. On your copy of the live scan application, write the date and place of your exam on the application at the top before you send it in.

Failsafe measures important to smooth processing of commission renewal.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/9/10 10:15am
Msg #326062

Re: any suggestions on on-site class?

Online classes are the way to go, especially if you know your stuff. It's a function of cost as you compare what's available out there. You still have to sit with the CPS (CA Proctor Service) to take their proctored test. The secret, as Joan will attest, is to have your live scan done rightaway, and your passport photo (WRITE YOUR NAME AND SSN on the back) because these little pix have a way of escaping the application they belong to! Can you imagine those poor SOS clerks trying to figure out which pic goes to which application. On your copy of the live scan application, write the date and place of your exam on the application at the top before you send it in.

Failsafe measures important to smooth processing of commission renewal.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/9/10 10:15am
Msg #326063

Re: any suggestions on on-site class?

Online classes are the way to go, especially if you know your stuff. It's a function of cost as you compare what's available out there. You still have to sit with the CPS (CA Proctor Service) to take their proctored test. The secret, as Joan will attest, is to have your live scan done rightaway, and your passport photo (WRITE YOUR NAME AND SSN on the back) because these little pix have a way of escaping the application they belong to! Can you imagine those poor SOS clerks trying to figure out which pic goes to which application. On your copy of the live scan application, write the date and place of your exam on the application at the top before you send it in.

Failsafe measures important to smooth processing of commission renewal.

Reply by Grammyzoom on 3/9/10 10:21am
Msg #326064

I remember...........

I was reading the posts and remember a time when we took a little open book test at someone's office to get our California commission.

The last time I had to renew when I lived in California it was an all day class, a large exam and months to get my commission.

Here in Arizona you don't have to know anything about being a notary. Just file the paperwork, pay your fees and you are a notary. And no offense to all of the Arizona notaries out there but there a lot of them who don't know a thing about being a notary and probably never will.

Reply by VioCa on 3/9/10 10:47am
Msg #326066

Re: any suggestions on on-site class?

Can I go ahead and get the fingerprints taken even though I do not know the result of the exam I took on 2/27/10 yet?
There is an application on the SOS website, so I was thinking to print three copies and have the fingerprints done now, but I do not know if it would be ok, or if I have to wait for some paperwork first
Can somebody that knows the answer enlighten me on this issue please. Thanks

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 3/9/10 1:20pm
Msg #326084

Joan's right. Don't procrastinate

If it were me, VioCa, I see no reason to wait to get livescanned.

Don't do what I did and wait till the last minute to take the class. The only thing that saved my patootie from a 1-2 month lapse was I took a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies down to the SOS office (I live real close), and with desperation in my voice, asked if they could speed things up. A really nice woman took care of it right there! But that will never happen again. First of all, that was before all the big staff cutbacks and furloughs were in full gear - also the fact that my renewal came on the cusp of all the new regs had something to do with it, I think. They took pity on us notaries who were kinda caught in the middle that month - between automatic renewal from the old days and completely starting all over under the new rules. Technically, there is no more renewal as far as I can tell... every 4 years we're a beginning notary...

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/9/10 1:23pm
Msg #326085

Re: Joan's right. Don't procrastinate

Yup, the only difference at this point between a new notary and a renewing one is the 3 vs 6 hour course. Whoopdeedoo!

Reply by 101livescan on 3/9/10 5:32pm
Msg #326124

Re: any suggestions on on-site class?

Fingerprints are good for six months. Just make sure you are close to taking the exam, can be before, during or after exam date.

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/9/10 9:04pm
Msg #326162

Re: any suggestions on on-site class?

<<<Can I go ahead and get the fingerprints taken even though I do not know the result of the exam I took on 2/27/10 yet?>>>

Absolutely YES! I went to my local police dept. and had my livescan prints completed two days before I took the state exam for my real estate license.

Reply by Lita on 3/9/10 3:51pm
Msg #326110

My commission was up in Jan this year. All the renewal info I read said to start 6 mos early for the exact reason you mention Joan, then your commission will be sent 30 days prior to your expiration date. I renewed (test, fingerprints) in Sept. sent a letter to the SOS in Dec to check on it and it arrived a few days later, 30 days prior to my renewal date. FYI I have two stamps a bit on the nice side and did not want to pay for new ones, so to save money I only replaced the rubber portion. So I sent one in prior to my commission expiring and the other one after so I was still able to work continuously. If you are not hanging onto what you have then it wouldn't matter, but something to think about.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 3/9/10 11:49pm
Msg #326186

Fingerprinting is good for 1 year and if you take a class that offers it on-site I would recommend you have your prints taken at class. We offer this service at every class.

Fingerprints are not shared by CA state agencies.


Changing the rubber portion might be an option for some notaries but I would probably never be a CA notary again if I tried this. Mechanically impaired!!!