California · Government Code
GOV §8227.1: It shall be a misdemeanor for any person who is not a duly commissioned, qualified, and acting notary public for the State of California to do any of the following: (a) Represent or hold himself or he
Misdemeanor
What this law says, in plain English
It is a misdemeanor in California for an unlicensed person to falsely represent themselves as a notary public or assume that title.
Read the full statutory text
It shall be a misdemeanor for any person who is not a duly commissioned, qualified, and acting notary public for the State of California to do any of the following: (a) Represent or hold himself or herself out to the public or to any person as being entitled to act as a notary public. (b) Assume, use or advertise the title of notary public in such a manner as to convey the impression that the person is a notary public. (c) Purport to act as a notary public.
Verify at the official source: California legislative text
Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.
MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.