REQUIREMENT TO FILE
Government Code Sections 8200 et al requires a notary public to file their Oath and Bond with the County Clerk's Office. Government Code Section 8213 states in part, "No later than 30 days after the beginning of the term prescribed in the commission, every person appointed a notary public shall file an official bond and an oath of office in the office of the county clerk of the county within which the person maintains a principal place of business as shown in the application submitted to the Secretary of State, and the commission shall not take effect unless this is done within the 30-day period. " THIS 30-DAY PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED FOR ANY REASON. Your Notary Commission identifies the deadline for filing and the county in which you must file. If your Commission indicates a county other than Ventura, contact that county for their requirements, fees, and office hours.

Statutes provide for filing the oath and bond by certified mail. However, it should be noted that the county processes documents in chronological order, but not necessarily on the date received due to the volume of documents. The oath and bond may be submitted to the county clerk prior to the commencement date of the commission and must be filed no later than 30 calendar days after the commencement date of the commission.

When filing in person with the County Clerk's Office you MUST bring the following:

• Your Notary Commission,
• Your Notary Bond,
• Your Notary Oaths (2),
• Valid, government-issued, picture identification, and
• Payment (Credit cards and debit cards are NOT acceptable.)

• A photocopy of your Notary Commission (must be an acceptable reproduction),
• Your Notary Bond properly signed by you,
• Your Notary Oaths (2) properly signed and notarized in the county in which you were commissioned, and
• Payment (Recording costs vary depending upon your bond. To ensure sufficient payment is provided, we suggest you write your check "not to exceed fifty dollars". Above the area where the numeric amount is written, indicate NTE $50.00". Once the recording costs have been calculated, we will indicate the correct amount on your check. Checks should be made payable to Ventura County Clerk.)

FILING FEES
The filing fees will vary depending on the method of filing.

If filing in person, the fees are PLUS applicable recording fees. If filing by mail, the fees are PLUS applicable recording fees. The standard recording fees for Ventura County are for a single page, single-sided bond. Each additional page of the bond, after the first, will cost an additional .

AUTHENTICATION OF PUBLIC OFFICIAL SIGNATURES
The County Clerk's Office maintains records of all notaries public that have been commissioned for Ventura County. The County Clerk's Office provides authentication of notary public signatures on documents. This applies to notaries that have been commissioned in VENTURA COUNTY ONLY. The fee is per signature authenticated. The California Secretary of State provides authentication of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States of America. The country of destination determines whether the authentication is an Apostille or Certification. For additional information regarding signature authentication, contact the Secretary of State, 300 South Spring Street, Suite #12513, Los Angeles, CA (213) 897-3062. You may also obtain information on-line at: Secretary of State Authentication Information Apostille or Certification.