A first-time applicant for appointment as a California notary public has completed the required education and passed the written examination. Before the Secretary of State grants the appointment, which additional step is required to help verify the applicant’s identity and determine whether the applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying crime?
Applicants must submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice, not photographs to the FBI.
This is correct because § 8201.1(a) requires applicants to be fingerprinted before appointment to assist in determining identity and whether the applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying crime. Section 8201.1(b)-(d) states that applicants submit fingerprint images to the Department of Justice, which obtains information on state and federal convictions and arrests, forwards the prints to the FBI for a federal summary, and disseminates a response to the Secretary of State.
A three-hour refresher course is not required; a background check is necessary for appointment approval.
Fingerprints must be submitted before appointment to verify identity and criminal history.
Explanation
Before granting a notary public appointment, the Secretary of State must determine that the applicant has the honesty, credibility, truthfulness, and integrity required for the position. To assist in determining the applicant’s identity and whether the applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying crime, Government Code § 8201.1(a) requires that applicants be fingerprinted. Under § 8201.1(b)-(d), the fingerprint images are submitted to the Department of Justice, which obtains state and federal criminal history information, including an FBI summary, and provides a response to the Secretary of State.
— Gov. Code §§ 8201(a)-(b), 8201.1(a)-(f)
Memory Aid
Fingerprints before final appointment: "ID + Integrity = Ink."