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Commercial bond

California Notary Bond. $75 for 4 yr.

Every California notary public must file a $15,000 official bond under Government Code Section 8212. The commission term is four years (Gov. Code § 8204).

  • Required by California Secretary of State
  • $75 fixed price for the $15,000 bond, the same for every applicant
  • Filing: The original bond is mailed to you. Sign it as the principal, then file it with the agency.
Start the applicationWho needs this bond
  • Issued instantly once paid
  • No credit check
  • A-rated surety carriers
  • Issued through Propeller Bonds
  • See your price before you pay
Your price

$75 for 4 years

Bond amount$15,000
  • Issued instantly once paid
  • No credit check
Start the application

A fixed price set by the surety. No surprises at checkout.

Need a different bond amount?

Price checked on Propeller Bonds' application, Oct 15, 2026.

How it works

Three steps to your bond.

  1. 01Apply onceTell us about your business and what the bond is for. One application covers most contractor bonds.
  2. 02Pay, and it's issuedPropeller issues this bond as soon as you've paid, with no underwriter in the loop.
  3. 03Sign and fileThe original bond is mailed to you. Sign it as the principal, then file it with the agency.
The application

What you'll be asked, before you start.

Propeller's application for this bond has 18 questions. It doesn't ask for credit information. Have these to hand and it takes a few minutes.

Good to know for this bond
  • Please submit the application in the name of the INDIVIDUAL applying to be appointed as a notary. Also, the original bond will be mailed to you.
  • The original bond will be mailed to the address you indicate (or enter) below. Please keep in mind the original Bond must be must be signed by the Principal (Bond Applicant) prior to be filed with the Obligee.
From Propeller Bonds' application, checked Oct 15, 2026.

About the bond

Dates and numbers for this bond.

  • Effective date

About your business

Who the bond is for and how to reach you.

  • Type of entity
  • DBA Name (if applicable)
  • Address line 1
  • Address line 2
  • City
  • State
  • Zip code
  • Contact person first name
  • Contact person last name
  • Contact person position
  • Is contact person the Business owner?
  • Business owner first name
  • Business owner last name
  • Phone
  • Email

Underwriting questions

Short questions the surety uses to approve the bond.

  • Contact Name
  • Company Name

Start the application

About this bond

What a notary bond is

Many states require a notary public to have a bond before they're commissioned. It protects the public if the notary makes a mistake or commits misconduct. It doesn't protect the notary: errors and omissions insurance does that.

In California

Every California notary public must file a $15,000 official bond under Government Code Section 8212. The commission term is four years (Gov. Code § 8204).

  • The bond must be from an admitted surety insurer, not a cash deposit.

You need this bond if you're

  • Someone applying to become a notary
  • A notary renewing a commission
  • An employer with staff who notarize documents

What the surety looks at

Basic personal details. Notary bonds usually don't need a detailed review.

FAQs

Common questions.

How much does the California Notary Bond cost?

$75 for 4 years. That's Propeller's set price for this bond, the same for every applicant.

Do I have to pay the $15,000?

No. You pay the premium. The bond amount is the most the surety would pay out on a valid claim, and if it ever pays one, you pay the surety back.

Is there a credit check?

No. Propeller's application for this bond doesn't ask for credit information.

How is the bond filed?

The original bond is mailed to you. Sign it as the principal, then file it with the agency.

Does California require a notary bond?

See the facts above for the amount and term. The commissioning office lists the current rules.

Does the bond protect me as the notary?

No. It pays people harmed by a notary's error or misconduct, and the notary repays the surety. Errors and omissions insurance is what protects the notary.

How do I get one through BLDAssure?

Apply once with us. We collect the details the surety needs, Propeller Bonds (our surety partner) reviews the application and issues the bond, and we help you file it with whoever requires it.

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By state

Notary bonds in other states.

Alabama notary bondAlaska notary bondArizona notary bondArkansas notary bondColorado notary bondConnecticut notary bondDelaware notary bondDistrict of Columbia notary bondFlorida notary bondGeorgia notary bondHawaii notary bondIdaho notary bondIllinois notary bondIndiana notary bondIowa notary bondKansas notary bondKentucky notary bondLouisiana notary bondMaine notary bondMaryland notary bondMassachusetts notary bondMichigan notary bondMinnesota notary bondMississippi notary bondMissouri notary bondMontana notary bondNebraska notary bondNevada notary bondNew Hampshire notary bondNew Jersey notary bondNew Mexico notary bondNew York notary bondNorth Carolina notary bondNorth Dakota notary bondOhio notary bondOklahoma notary bondOregon notary bondPennsylvania notary bondRhode Island notary bondSouth Carolina notary bondSouth Dakota notary bondTennessee notary bondTexas notary bondUtah notary bondVermont notary bondVirginia notary bondWashington notary bondWest Virginia notary bondWisconsin notary bondWyoming notary bond

Sources

  1. Cal. Gov. Code § 8212
  2. Cal. Gov. Code § 8204

General information, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm the current requirement with the agency or owner that asks for the bond. Facts checked Oct 23, 2026.

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