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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 7Ch. 3§ 6203 False Official Certificates

§ 6203 False Official Certificates

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 6203 False Official Certificates

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone in charge of making official papers (like a doctor or police officer) lies on those papers on purpose, they can get in trouble.
  • •The police have up to 4 years to catch and punish them after the lie is found out.
  • •Even if they get punished, the person who was hurt by the lie can still do other things to fix the problem.

Example

A doctor writes a fake note saying a kid is sick so they can skip school.

The doctor knows the kid isn’t really sick but writes the note anyway. This is breaking the law, and the doctor can get in trouble for it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 6203 False Official Certificates

(a) Every officer authorized by law to make or give any certificate or other writing is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she makes and delivers as true any certificate or writing containing statements which he or she knows to be false. (b) Notwithstanding any other limitation of time described in Section 802 of the Penal Code, or any other provision of law, prosecution for a violation of this offense shall be commenced within four years after discovery of the commission of the offense, or within four years after the completion of the offense, whichever is later. (c) The penalty provided by this section is not an exclusive remedy, and does not affect any other relief or remedy provided by law. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 399, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

commissioncrimepenaltydiscoveryremedyoffensemisdemeanorpenal code

Related Statutes

  • § 8225 Notary Coercion Penalty
  • § 8221 Notary Record Destruction Penalty
  • § 8228.1 Notary Seal Misconduct Penalties
  • § 8214.23 Notary Thumbprint Penalty Enforcement
  • § 8214.8 Notary Conviction Commission Revocation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 6203.
View Official Source