If you do not recall the specifics about an arrest(s) and/or a conviction(s), you may contact the California Department of Justice at (916) 227-3849.
State law requires all applicants be fingerprinted as part of a background check prior to being granted an appointment as a notary public. The Notary Public Section will mail information concerning the fingerprinting requirement to candidates who pass the examination.
You are required to disclose all arrests and convictions on your application. Convictions dismissed under Penal Code 1203.4 or 1203.4a must be disclosed. If you have any questions concerning the disclosure of convictions or arrests, contact the Secretary of State prior to signing the application.
The Secretary of State will recommend denial of an application for the following reasons:
Failure to disclose any arrest or conviction
Conviction of a felony
Conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor where not more than 10 years have passed since the completion of probation.
The most common disqualifying convictions are listed below; however, this list is not all-inclusive:
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Please note: When a recommendation is made to deny an application, the applicant has the right to appeal the recommendation through the administrative hearing process.