What is the role of the Secretary of State regarding notaries in California?

The Secretary of State in California plays a crucial role in overseeing the commissioning and regulation of notaries public. This responsibility includes establishing the requirements for becoming a notary, processing applications, and maintaining records of commissioned notaries. The Secretary of State also ensures that notaries adhere to state laws and regulations, providing a framework within which notaries must operate. This oversight helps maintain the integrity of the notarization process, promoting public trust in the documents that notaries authenticate.

The other options do not accurately reflect the responsibilities of the Secretary of State concerning notaries. For instance, issuing government IDs is not a function of the Secretary of State as it pertains specifically to notaries. Legal advice is typically outside the purview of the Secretary of State and should be sought from qualified attorneys. Additionally, while training and education for notaries may be beneficial, it is not directly managed by the Secretary of State, as they primarily focus on regulatory oversight rather than training functions.