Governor Newsom Signs California Notary Fee Modernization Act Into Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1597, the California Notary Fee Modernization Act, into law, marking the first modernization of California's statutory notary fee framework in a decade.

The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, was signed on June 30, 2026, following overwhelming bipartisan support in the California Legislature. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Supporters say the law is designed to help preserve and expand access to notarial services throughout California while recognizing the increasing costs associated with providing those services.

"Notaries perform an essential public service that millions of Californians depend on every year," said Matt Miller, President of the California League of Independent Notaries (CLIN). "This legislation helps ensure that Californians will continue to have access to professional notarial services while supporting the thousands of small business owners who provide them. We are grateful to Governor Newsom for signing this important bill into law."

Throughout the legislative process, AB 1597 received broad bipartisan support and was approved by both houses of the Legislature without opposition.

The bill's success was also supported by one of the largest grassroots advocacy efforts ever organized by California's notary community. The California League of Independent Notaries launched a statewide campaign encouraging notaries, legal professionals, small business owners, real estate professionals, financial services professionals, and members of the public to voice their support for the legislation.

That effort generated 1,950 letters of support submitted to the California Legislature.

According to CLIN, the campaign demonstrated widespread recognition of the important role notaries play in protecting the integrity of legal, financial, healthcare, and real estate transactions throughout California.

The organization also credited Assemblymember Castillo for championing the legislation from its introduction through final passage.

"This victory demonstrates what can happen when professionals and the communities they serve come together around a common purpose," Miller said. "We're proud of what California's notary community accomplished, and we're excited to begin the next chapter as we prepare for implementation."

CLIN says it will begin providing educational resources and implementation guidance to California notaries over the coming months to help them prepare for the law's January 1, 2027 effective date.

The California League of Independent Notaries is a statewide professional association dedicated to advancing the notary profession through advocacy, education, and professional development while promoting public access to trusted notarial services.

To learn more about AB 1597 and CLIN's legislative advocacy efforts, visit www.calnotaries.org.