The first time I seriously considered becoming a Notary was during a work conversation with my team at the NNA. We were talking about the steps it takes to become one, and that’s when it became clear that I had no idea what the process really looked like.
I wanted a deeper understanding, and I decided the best way to do that was to go through it myself and become a commissioned California Notary.
I knew there was training and a test I needed to pass, but I didn’t realize how much Notary terminology I’d need to learn and how many legal issues I could run into if I made a mistake during a notarization.
This definitely added some pressure. If I wanted to become a commissioned Notary in California, I’d need to tap into my old study habits and soak up as much information as I possibly could.
My NNA online Notary training experience
Following California’s Notary requirements, I decided to complete the state-required 6-hour training course online through the NNA.
I can’t even tell you how many times during my training I doubted whether I’d be able to pass the exam. But what gave me peace of mind was knowing I could go back through the training as many times as I needed.
I went through the full training twice before I decided I needed more reinforcement. So, I used my training notes, found flashcards and practice exams online, and studied those over and over until I felt confident.
Now the biggest challenge was right in front of me — to pass the exam.
Gearing up for my Notary exam
By exam day, I was a nervous wreck.
I've always been a terrible test taker, and on top of that, I’m an anxious person. I was so scared that all my training and studying wouldn’t be enough. What if they gave me the exam and my mind went blank? What if I forgot to put my name on my exam sheet?
To calm my exam-day nerves, I decided to arrive at the test center early to sit in on some of the in-person training being held that day. Even though I took my training online, the NNA lets online training customers attend in-person training at no extra cost, which turned out to be my saving grace. Just remember to call and schedule your attendance before you show up for a live seminar.
Being able to sit in on the live training helped me clarify things I was confused about and settle my worries before the exam. The training concluded with the in-person exam, and just like that, the test was over!
Two weeks later, I got an email that I passed my exam — and shortly after, I filed my oath and bond and became an official California Notary.
I passed my Notary test! Now what?
Passing the exam and getting commissioned felt like the finish line, until I realized it was just the start.
Now that I was official, I thought to myself, “Oh snap! I need to find clients! Where do I even begin? And when I’m hired for my first notarization ... will I know what to do?”
Yes, training taught me everything I needed to know to become a Notary, but now I had to actually perform notarizations.
This is when I turned to my favorite Notary experts and colleagues at the NNA, Sean Quinn and Susi Sivkov, to ask if they could help settle my worries by guiding me through a mock notarization.
They walked me through two notarizations, an acknowledgment and a jurat, reminding me of everything I’d need to do during these types of signings. Thanks to their help, I was able to quiet some of the anxiety I had been carrying and bridge the gap between what I learned in training and what a real notarization actually looked like.
What’s ahead for my Notary journey
Now it’s the present day, and I’m gearing up for my first notarization. I’m making sure I have all the supplies I need and am working on stepping out of my comfort zone to try and get some clients!
I won’t lie, I still feel a little nervous that I’ll make a notarization mistake. But then I remind myself that I’m not alone on this journey. I have my Notary friends, and beyond that, I know I can always call the NNA Hotline with questions.
My advice to anyone who is nervous about becoming a Notary is to take a deep breath, be kind to yourself, and remember that there’s no shame in asking for help — it’s your first time on this journey.
When I started this journey, I had so many doubts. But with the help and support of my friends, family, and the NNA, I conquered my anxiety, and now I am an officially commissioned Notary in California!
If I can do it, so can you!
Marissa Valera is a Shared Media Channel Specialist at the National Notary Association. She became a commissioned California Notary in 2025 and has documented her journey as a first-time Notary across the NNA’s social channels.