Contact

County Recorder
1601 Lana Way
Hollister, CA 95023

Email
cclerk@sanbenitocountyca.gov

Phone
831-636-4046

Fax
831-636-2939

Appointments
Clerk-Recorder Appointment Scheduler

Hours

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

Recording Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:00pm

Notary Public Commission & Surrender

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Notary Public Commissions can be done in person or by mail. Before scheduling an appointment to file or renew your Commission, the expiration date on the Notary Public Oath Certificate must not be expired. If the date on the Notary Public Oath Certificate has expired, the Notary Public must contact the Secretary of State to inquire about their expiration process. After the Notary Public Commission is filed, the recorded bond will be returned to the applicant by mail 2-3 business days after the filing. View the Notary commission filing fee.

Note: Appointments for in person Notary Commission filing and Notary Surrender are required. Click to schedule an appointment.

In Person Filing Procedure

Bring the following items with you on your appointment date

Original Certificate - with the seal from the Secretary of State
Two Identical Notary Public Oath & Certificate of Filing Forms (unsigned, must be signed in the presence of a Recorder Deputy)
Original $15,000 Notary Bond (unsigned, must be signed in the presence of a Recorder Deputy)
Optional Power of Attorney (unsigned, must be signed in the presence of the Recorder Deputy)
Valid California Driver's License

Filing By Mail / Dropbox

Take the following items to a Notary Public

Valid California Driver's License
Two identical Notary Public Oath & Certificate of Filing Forms (unsigned, must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public in San Benito County)

The notary public who administers the oath (must complete the "For Persons Filing by Mail" section)

Mail the complete package to the Recorder's office

Informational Transmittal, include the filer's name, address, and telephone number
Two identical Notary Public Oath & Certificate of Filing Forms (signed and notarized)
Original $15,000 Notary Bond (signed)
Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope
Completed Bond Cover Letter

Mail the above items to:

San Benito County Clerk-Recorder
1601 Lana Way
Hollister, CA 95023

Notary Authentication

Notary authentications verify that a notary has filed a bond in the county where they conduct business and has a current commission at the time of the notarization of the document.

Notary authentications are typically used to verify the signatures of notaries on various documents that will be used outside of the country and are required before requesting an Apostille from the Secretary of State.

The Clerk's Department certifies the authenticity of the signature of the notary who signed the document and the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears. The certification does not certify the contents of the document.

Notary Surrender

Once a Notary Commission expires, the Notary Journals must be surrendered in person at the County Clerk-Recorder's Department by appointment only.

Only San Benito County Notary Public Commissions can be accepted for surrender
Surrendered items can be journals and / or stamps
In case of the death of a Notary Public, a representative shall deliver all Notarial records of the deceased Notary Public to the County Clerk
There is no fee to surrender Notarial records.

Notary Surrender Retention

After a Notary's Commission expires, their notary journals must be surrendered to the County Clerk in the county where their official oath is on file.

Surrendered journals are sealed and kept with the County Clerk for 10 years from the date of deposit. After 10 years from the date of deposit, if no request for, or reference to such records has been made, they may be destroyed upon order of court. Gov. Code 8209(c)