New law removes outdated barriers for independent notaries.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1597 by Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo (R-Corona), bipartisan legislation that updates an outdated California law and removes a government-imposed barrier that no longer reflected the cost of operating an independent notary business.
Independent notaries are small business owners who help Californians with signature verification on important documents. As the cost of fuel, insurance, supplies, and operating a small business continued to rise, California’s statutory fee limits failed to keep pace.
“As a former notary, the cap at that time decades ago was $10. I know firsthand the vital role independent notaries play in helping Californians verify who is signing important documents and the cost associated with maintaining certification,” Castillo said. “This bill removes an outdated barrier and gives small businesses the flexibility they need to continue serving their communities.”
Jacqueline Primero Aguilar, an independent notary serving Riverside County, said, “The new law recognizes the realities facing small business owners who have continued serving their communities despite years of rising costs.”
According to the California League of Independent Notaries, California has lost more than 22,000 commissioned notaries in recent years as operating costs have increased, reducing access to services in many communities.
AB 1597 updates California’s statutory limits on certain notary fees. The law does not require notaries to charge higher prices. Instead, it gives independent notaries the flexibility to respond to rising operating costs while maintaining key consumer protections, including free notarization of veterans’ benefit documents and voting materials.
The legislation passed unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate before being signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
“I believe government should solve problems, not create them,” Castillo said. “This bipartisan bill removes an outdated barrier, supports local small businesses, and helps make sure Californians can continue accessing an essential service when they need it.”