California Notary Public ExamJournal RequirementsMedium
A California Notary Public's commission was revoked due to a serious violation of Notary law. To whom must the Notary surrender their official journal(s) and Notary seal?
- AThe county clerk of the county in which the Notary's principal place of business is located.
- BThe local law enforcement agency.
- CThe superior court of the county in which the Notary resides.
- DThe Secretary of State's office.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The Secretary of State's office.
California Government Code § 8209 requires that if a Notary Public's commission is revoked, they must transmit their official journal(s) and Notary seal to the office of the Secretary of State.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Surrender to the county clerk is for expiration, resignation, or death, not revocation.
- B. Law enforcement is not responsible for accepting surrendered Notary journals or seals.
- C. The superior court is not the correct entity for surrendering Notary materials.
Journal Surrender (Revocation)
Upon revocation of a Notary Public's commission, all official journals and the Notary seal must be surrendered to the California Secretary of State.
- Applies specifically to commission revocation.
- Journals and seal must be surrendered.
- Recipient is the Secretary of State.
Memory trick: Revoked? SOS takes the books and seal.