Grounds for Denial, Revocation, or Suspension (Government Code §8214.1)

Government Code §8214.1 is the central disciplinary statute for California notaries. The Secretary of State may refuse to appoint, or may suspend or revoke the commission of, any notary based on grounds including:

• Substantial misstatement or omission on the application
• Felony conviction, or conviction of a lesser offense involving moral turpitude
• Willful failure to perform notarial duties
• Charging fees above the statutory maximum
• Failing to complete a notarial certificate at the time the seal is affixed
• Executing a certificate containing statements known to be false
• Unauthorized practice of law (Business and Professions Code §6125)
• Violating the foreign language advertising statute (§8219.5)
• Willfully failing to report loss or theft of the journal
• Failure to secure the journal or seal

A nolo contendere plea counts as a conviction for all purposes under this section. Commission expiration does not shield a notary — the Secretary of State may continue or initiate disciplinary proceedings even after a commission has lapsed or the notary has resigned.

Family Code §17520 adds one additional ground not in §8214.1: noncompliance with child or family support obligations.

Exam Tip: "Moral turpitude" is broader than it sounds — it encompasses dishonesty, fraud, and serious ethical failures. Resignation or expiration of a commission is not a safe harbor from investigation.