How to Become a Remote Online Notary in California (2026)

Overview

SB 696 added California Government Code sections authorizing remote online notarization, but the law included an implementation delay tied to regulatory readiness. The result: California notaries who offer RON under their California commission before official activation are non-compliant with current law, which still requires personal appearance for acknowledgments, jurats, and other notarial acts.

What SB 696 Actually Did (and Did Not Do)

SB 696, signed September 29, 2022, authorized the California Secretary of State to establish a RON program. It did NOT immediately allow California notaries to start performing remote sessions. The law set a framework – it requires the SoS to:

• Create a registration process for notaries seeking RON authorization
• Approve technology vendors that meet California’s identity verification and security standards
• Publish training requirements and a course that California notaries must complete before authorization
• Establish electronic journal and audio-visual recording standards

Until the SoS officially opens registration and publishes the vendor list, California notaries cannot perform remote online notarizations under their California commission.

Why California RON Is Taking Longer Than Expected

California has a reputation for thorough regulatory development. The SoS approached RON implementation more carefully than states like Michigan or Texas, which moved faster. California also has a uniquely large and diverse notary population – over 300,000 active commissions – which means any vendor approval or registration system needs to scale significantly. The technology infrastructure and consumer protection standards California is building are more rigorous than most state frameworks.

That careful approach benefits long-term compliance but creates a longer wait. Several other states (Massachusetts, Georgia) are in similar positions.

What California Notaries Can Do Right Now

Having a California commission does not lock you out of RON income – it means you cannot use that commission for remote sessions. Practical options while waiting for CA activation:

• Keep your California commission active and renew on schedule – when CA activates, notaries with an active commission will be first in line for RON registration
• Build RON skills through training now – NNA and NCAN offer RON-specific courses that count toward your knowledge base regardless of state
• Set up platform profiles proactively – Notarize (Proof) and NotaryLive allow you to complete account setup and background checks so you are ready to take sessions the day California activates
• Consider commissioning in a RON-active state if you qualify – Nevada, Arizona, and other border states have active RON frameworks and California-adjacent markets
• Focus on high-volume traditional signings – California has one of the largest real estate and mortgage markets in the country; in-person loan signings are consistent, high-paying work

California Traditional Notary Commission: What You Need

California notary commissions are 4-year terms, issued by the Secretary of State, with one of the most structured application processes in the country:

• Pass the California notary public exam (administered by a SoS-approved vendor)
• Complete a background check through the Department of Justice and FBI
• Post a $15,000 surety bond
• File your oath of office and bond with the county clerk within 30 days of approval
• Purchase a California-compliant notary seal

California’s strict commission process means its notary population is well-screened – which is part of why RON activation is taking longer (the SoS wants that same rigor applied to remote sessions).

How to Recognize When California RON Goes Live

Watch for these specific signals that California has activated RON:

• California Secretary of State publishing an official approved RON vendor list
• A registration or application portal opening specifically for RON authorization
• Official training course announcements – CA will likely require a specific SoS-approved course
• NNA, NCAN, or California Notary Association sending state-specific activation alerts
• SB 696 implementation notices on the SoS website at sos.ca.gov/notary

Common Mistakes California Notaries Make

• Advertising RON services under a California commission before official activation
• Assuming that because RON is popular nationally it is already legal in California
• Letting their commission lapse while waiting, losing their position when CA activates
• Not filing the bond and oath with the county clerk within the 30-day window after commission approval
• Confusing California’s “digital notarization” tools (DocuSign + in-person) with actual RON

Before You Start

California RON requires official SoS activation before any remote session is legal under a California commission. Confirm your commission is active and current, and monitor the official channel for implementation updates. Official reference: California Secretary of State – Notary Public.

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