Do I need to register as a business if I am only notarizing documents for my organization? Additionally, if I notarize a document for one of my directors that is not work-related, would I need to obtain a business license? —M.T., California
To your first question, the requirement for a business license is not addressed in California Notary law. We recommend checking with your county and city to determine if they have any licensing requirements.
Regarding your second question, we recommend consulting the applicable county or city laws on business licenses to ensure compliance. One thing to check: If you never charge fees for your notarial services outside of work, a business license may not be required.
For more information, please see our article on when Notaries should get business licenses.
Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors
Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.