Section 2.7 - Advertising

California law requires any non-attorney notary public who advertises notarial services in a language other than English to post a prescribed notice, in English and the other language, that the notary public is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matters. The notary public must also list the fees set by statute which a notary public may charge for notarial services.

In any event, a notary public may not translate the term "Notary Public," defined as "notario publico" or "notario," into Spanish, even if the prescribed notice is also posted. Violation of this law, including the failure to post the required information listed above, is grounds for the suspension or revocation of a notary public’s commission on the first offense. A second offense shall be grounds for the permanent revocation of a notary public’s commission. (Government Code section 8219.5)

A notary public is legally barred from advertising in any manner whatsoever that he or she is a notary public if the notary public promotes himself or herself as an immigration specialist or consultant. (Government Code section 8223)