"Notario Publico" (or equivalent terms in other languages) refers to a civil law notary in many Latin American and European countries — a licensed legal professional with broad authority to draft contracts, give legal advice, and authenticate documents. This role is fundamentally different from a California notary public.
California Government Code §8219.5 prohibits any non-attorney notary from using the title "Notario Publico," "Notario," or any equivalent term in any language in their advertising, without including a required disclaimer stating they are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice.
Penalties: A first offense requires the Secretary of State to immediately suspend or revoke the commission and impose a fine. A second offense results in permanent revocation.
Exam Tip: This prohibition exists because immigrant communities may mistakenly believe a "Notario" in the U.S. has the same legal authority as in their home country. The penalty for a first offense is both a fine AND suspension/revocation — both, not just one.
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