What is the application fee for a California Notary Public commission?

The application fee for a California Notary Public commission varies based on the county and is set by the Secretary of State. Each county can establish its own fees within the framework provided by state law. Therefore, applicants may encounter different fees depending on their location. This flexibility allows counties to account for their administrative costs, ensuring that the application process is adequately funded and maintained.

The other options fail to accurately reflect the nature of the fees. A fixed fee of $50 does not represent the variability based on county regulations. Claiming that it is free for first-time applicants misrepresents the requirement for a fee, while stating it is $25 in all cases does not capture the potential for divergence among different counties' charges. Understanding the specific fee structure based on locality is crucial for applicants navigating the notary commissioning process in California.