Professional Photocopier
A Professional Photocopier is any person who for compensation obtains or reproduces documents authorized to be produced, and who, while engaged in performing that activity, has access to the information contained therein.
Registering as a Professional Photocopier:
  • Complete the Professional Photocopier registration form.
  • Obtain a Professional Photocopier bond in the amount of $5,000.00
  • Pay all applicable fees (schedule of fees)
  • Appear in person at the County Clerks Office with all required documents and valid form of payment for all fees.
Note: At least one person involved in the management of a professional photocopier shall be required to hold a current commission from the Secretary of State as a notary public in this state. Proof of current commission is required at time of filing.

EXCERPTS FROM THE CALIFORNIA BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE

DEFINITION OF A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOCOPIER
22450. A professional photocopier is any person who for compensation obtains or reproduces documents authorized to be produced under Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 56) of Division 1 of, or Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1798) of Title 1.8 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, the Civil Code, or Section 1158 of, or Article 4 (commencing with Section 1560) of Chapter 2 of Division 11 of, the Evidence Code and who, while engaged in performing that activity, has access to the information contained therein. A professional photocopier shall be registered pursuant to this chapter by the county clerk of the county in which he or she resides or has his or her principal place of business, and in which he or she maintains a branch office.
22451. This chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any government employee who is acting in the course of his or her employment.
(b) A member of the State Bar or his or her employees, agents, or independent contractors.
(c) Any person who is specially appointed by the court to obtain or reproduce in order to transmit or distribute those records.
(d) An employee or agent of a person who is registered under this chapter.
(e) Any custodian of records who makes his or her own copies.
(f) Any certified shorthand reporter, official court reporter, or stenotype operator who makes his or her own copies.
(g) Any person licensed under Chapter 11.5 (commencing with Section 7512) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code or his or her employees.
(h) The Office of the Secretary of State.
FILING FEE
22453. An applicant shall pay a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175) to the county clerk at the time he or she files an application for registration. An additional fee for each card in an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory costs associated with the issuance of additional cards, as determined by the county clerk, shall be paid to the county clerk for each additional card of identification.
22453.1 Notwithstanding Section 22453, any person registered pursuant to Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 22350) shall pay a fee of one hundred dollars ($100) instead of the fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175) otherwise required by Section 22453.
NOTARY PUBLIC REQUIREMENT
22454. (a) At least one person involved in the management of a professional photocopier shall be required to hold a current commission from the Secretary of State as a notary public in this state. If the notary commission is held by someone other than the registrant, written confirmation from the notary authorizing the use of their commission for this registration is required.
(b) The professional photocopier shall maintain a valid notary commission during the entire period that the professional photocopier’s certificate of registration is effective. The registrant shall notify the county clerk and provide an updated valid notary commission if the commission expires prior to the expiration of the certificate of registration.
NEED FOR FILING A BOND
22455. (a) A certificate of registration shall be accompanied by a bond of five thousand dollars ($5,000) which is executed by a corporate surety qualified to do business in this state and conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter and all laws governing the transmittal of confidential documentary information under the code sections specified in Section 22450. The total aggregate liability on the bond shall be limited to five thousand dollars ($5,000). The bond may be terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 995.440 and Article 13 (commencing with Section 996.310) of Chapter 2 of Title 14 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
TERM OF REGISTRATION
22456. A certificate of registration shall be effective for a period of two years or until the date the bond expires, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, a registrant shall file a new certificate of registration or a renewal of the certificate of registration and pay the fee required by Section 22453. A certificate of registration may be renewed up to 60 days prior to its expiration date and the effective date of the renewal shall be the date the current registration expires. The renewal shall be effective for a period of two years from the effective date or until the expiration date of the bond, whichever occurs first.
MAINTENANCE BY COUNTY CLERK
22457. (a) the county clerk shall maintain a register of professional photocopiers, assign a number to each professional photocopier, and issue an identification card to each one. Additional cards for employees of professional photocopiers shall be issued upon the payment of a fee for each card in an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory costs associated with the issuance of additional cards, as determined by the county clerk. Upon renewal of registration, the same number shall be assigned, provided there is no lapse in the period of registration.
(b) The identification card shall be a card not less than 31/4 inches by 2 inches, and shall contain at the top the title, “Professional Photocopier” followed by the registrant’s name, address, registration number, date of expiration, and county of registration. It shall also contain a photograph of the registrant in the lower left corner. The identification card for a partnership or corporation registration shall be issued in the name of the partnership or corporation, and shall not contain a photograph. The identification card for an employee of a professional photocopier or a partnership or corporation shall contain a photograph of the employee in the lower left corner.
(c) The identification card for an employee of a professional photocopier or a partnership or corporation shall be issued in the name of the employee and include “Employee of: [insert name of the professional photocopier or the partnership or corporation].”
RESPONSIBILTY OF REGISTRANT
22458. A professional photocopier shall be responsible at all times for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of information obtained under the applicable codes in the transmittal or distribution of records to the authorized persons or entities.