Civil Penalty Fines for California Notaries:

Maximum $75,000: (Government Code § 8214.2)

• Filing and recording a false/forged document involving real property,

swearing to false statements and inducing a Notary to act improperly

Maximum $10,000: (Civil Code § 1185 and 1189)

• Willful failure to obtain satisfactory identification as required to ensure that

the person being notarized is the same individual who is signing the

document

• Willfully stating as true any material known to be false

Maximum $2,500: (Government Code § 8214.21 and 8214.23)

• Willful failure to provide a Peace Officer with your Notary journal

• Willful failure to obtain a required thumbprint in your Notary journal

Maximum $1,500: (Government Code § 8214.15a)

• Using false or misleading advertising of Notary Public duties, rights or

privileges

• Committing a dishonest or deceitful act with the intention of benefit to the

Notary Public

• Buying a Notary seal from an unapproved vendor

• Knowingly and willfully completing a notarization of a document known to

be false

• Translating “Notary Public” into Spanish or failing to include in advertising

the statement required by non-attorney Notaries

• Advertising as “Immigration Specialist or Consultant” when not legally

authorized to provide those services

• Entering data on immigration forms when not qualified or bonded

• Failure to discharge fully and faithfully any of the duties or responsibilities

required of a Notary Public

Maximum $750: (Government Code § 8214.15b)

• Failure to complete a notarial act

• Failure to administer an Oath or affirmation for a Jurat

• Negligent failure to fully and faithfully discharge the duties of a Notary

Public

Charging more than the maximum fees allowed by law

Maximum $500: (Government Code § 8213.5 and 8213.6)

• Willful failure to notify the Secretary of State of name/address changes

Civil Penalty Fines for California Notaries

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