Locations:

This service is not available at our Kearny Mesa Office. Instead, you may file a Notary Public Oath of Office and Notary Public Bond at any of our other office locations including; downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee, and San Marcos. An appointment is not required. 

What to bring:

1. Valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
   
   
2. Original commission certificate
   
   
3. Two unsigned Notary Oath of Office forms
   
   
4. The ORIGINAL bond in the amount of $15,000, bound to the State of California. The principal's name on the bond must match your name on the State Commission Certificate. 

Fees:

• $64 Filing fee
• $14 Recording fee for the first page and $3 for each additional page
• $2 Copy fee for the first page and $0.05 for each additional page
• $1 Certification fee for each copy page

The fee is payable by cash, check or money order, or credit/debit card.
An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.

Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.

Take your oath first:

You must first appear before a commissioned notary in San Diego County to give your oath.

Immediately after taking your oath, send us the items below.

What to mail: 

1. A letter of your request that includes your phone number where you may be reached during business hours
   
   
2. A photocopy of your Notary Commission Certificate
   
   
3. Two Notary Oath of Office forms, signed with your official signature in front of a current notary public in San Diego County. The sworn statement must be signed and completed by the current notary public which administered the oath.
   
   
4. The ORIGINAL signed Notary Public Bond in the amount of $15,000, bound to the State of California. The name on the bond must exactly match your State Commission Certificate and two Oath of Office forms.
   
   
5. Fees may vary depending upon the pages required for recording your Notary Public Bond. We suggest that you print “not to exceed $100.00” in the memo section of the check. We will calculate the costs and indicate the correct amount on your check. If you would like a receipt or copies mailed back to you, please include a self-addressed envelope with your request.

Mail your documents with check or money order to:

San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750

It may take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the original bond to be returned to you.

Notary acts may commence once the documents have been filed and recorded with the San Diego County Clerk’s Office and the commission date has become effective.

Fees: 

• $64 Filing fee
• $14 Recording fee for the first page and $3 for each additional page
• $2 Copy fee for the first page and $0.05 for each additional page
• $1 Certification fee for each copy page

The fee is payable by check or money order only, when requesting by mail.

Payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.

Do not send cash by mail.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 8209, if a notary public resigns, is disqualified, removed from office, or allows his or her appointment to expire without obtaining reappointment within 30 days, all notarial records and papers (including notary journals) must be delivered to the County Clerk where the notary public's current official oath of office is on file, within 30 days of the commission expiration. 

If the notary public willfully fails or refuses to deliver all notarial records and papers to the County Clerk within the 30 days, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be personally liable for damages to any person injured by that action or inaction. 

In the case of the death of a notary public, the personal representative of the deceased shall promptly notify the Secretary of State of the death of the notary public and shall deliver all notarial records and papers of the deceased to the County Clerk. 

Notary publics are responsible for the destruction or defacement of their own seals and stamps upon expiration, resignation, or revocation of their commission; this responsibility falls onto the notary public’s personal representative in the event of their death.

Surrender in person:

You can surrender notary journals at any of our available office locations linked below. Appointments are not necessary.

Surrender by mail: 

Make sure the inside cover of the notary journal is completed and includes all required information: The notary public’s name, address, phone number, commission number, and commission expiration date. We strongly recommend sending notary journals via certified mail with tracking to ensure receipt.

Send the notary journals with a completed Notary Journal Return Receipt to the address below. Retain a copy of the receipt for your records.

San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750