California Government Code §8214.1 establishes a tiered civil penalty system for notary violations:
• $750 — Maximum for negligent violations (e.g., failing to obtain ID through carelessness)
• $1,500 — Maximum for willful violations (e.g., overcharging fees, failing to complete a certificate, address change failure)
• $2,500 — Maximum for willfully refusing journal inspection or refusing to provide a required thumbprint
• $10,000 — Maximum for a false or fraudulent certificate of acknowledgment
• $75,000 — Maximum for unauthorized notarization on residential real property (1-4 units) with intent to defraud
Exam Tip: The five penalty tiers are heavily tested. The $2,500 penalty is specifically for journal/thumbprint refusal — not a general "serious violation" catch-all. Civil penalties are in addition to any criminal charges and do not replace commission revocation.
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