The Clerk's Office Is Relocating!
Beginning Monday, May 1, 2023, the Marin County Recorder’s and County Clerk’s Offices will reopen to the public in Rooms 232 (Recorder) and 234 (County Clerk.) Office hours for both offices are weekdays, 9 a.m. until 4:00. Both offices are open during lunchtime.
Notary publics are commissioned by the California Secretary of State, but file their oaths of office with the Marin County Clerk. The process of filing a notary public oath of office is described below.
Taking the oath of office
Within 30 days of commission start date, every notary public must file an official bond of $15,000 and an oath of office with the Marin County Clerk.
To take the oath, bring your commission, bond, and fees to the Marin County Clerk’s Office at:
Marin County Civic Center
Room 234
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA
Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed major holidays). However, due to processing time, licenses and applications are accepted for filing between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm..
Fee
The fee to take the oath is $29.00, payable to the Marin County Clerk. A standard format bond also requires a recording fee of $14.00. Each additional page requires a recording fee of $ 3.00, payable to the Marin County Recorder. These fees may be paid in cash or by separate checks made out to each of the two offices. No credit or debit cards are accepted. Two separate receipts will be issued.
Commission Term
The Marin County Clerk will retain the oath of office for one year following the expiration of the commission. Commissions are four (4) years.
Situations that may require a new oath of office
- Transfer: A notary public that transfers to a new county may file a new oath of office and bond, or a duplicate of the original bond with the county clerk in the new location.
- Legal Name Change: If a notary public makes a legal name change, they may submit an application to the Secretary of State to amend their commission. The notary public must file a new oath of office and a revised bond with the county clerk within 30 days of the date an amended commission is issued.
- Resigning or Disqualification As A Notary Public: If any notary public resigns, is disqualified, removed from office, or allows his or her appointment to expire without obtaining reappointment, the notary public has 30 days to return all notarial journals to the Marin County Clerk’s Office.
More information on notary public requirements is available at the California Secretary of State website.
If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact us. Our office is located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive room 234, San Rafael, CA. You can also contact a member of the County Clerk staff via phone at (415) 473-6152 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed major holidays). However, due to processing time, licenses and applications are accepted for filing between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm.
You may also visit the Notary Public FAQ section for additional information.