The Timeline Depends on Your State and How Fast You Move
Becoming a notary public typically takes between two weeks and three months, depending on which state you live in and how quickly you complete each step. Most of the time is spent waiting for your process to be processed by your state's Secretary of State office, not on the work itself. The actual tasks—studying, taking a test, getting fingerprinted, and mailing documents—usually take only a few days of your time spread across those weeks.
The fastest path is in states that do not require an exam, where you can be commissioned in as little as two weeks if your Secretary of State office processes applications quickly. The longest waits happen in states that require fingerprinting, a background check, or an exam appointment scheduled weeks in advance. Some states also have seasonal delays—applications filed in December may take longer than those filed in January.
Key Takeaways
- Most states commission a notary within two to six weeks of receiving a complete process, though some take up to three months.
- You control the speed of studying and exam-taking, which usually takes three to seven days of actual work time.
- Fingerprinting and background checks can add one to four weeks if your state requires them.
- Mailing your process and waiting for processing accounts for most of the total time, not the preparation itself.
How Long Each Step Actually Takes
The study and exam phase is the part you control. If your state requires an exam, you typically have one to two weeks to study the notary handbook, which most people complete in three to seven days of reading. The exam itself takes one to three hours. Some states let you take the exam when ready after purchasing study materials; others require you to wait a set number of days. A few states do not require an exam at all, which cuts this step to zero.
The fingerprinting and background check step varies widely. If your state requires fingerprints, you need to visit an authorized location—often a police station, sheriff's office, or private fingerprinting service. The appointment itself takes 10 to 20 minutes, but scheduling one can take one to four weeks depending on how busy local offices are. The background check itself happens behind the scenes and usually takes one to two weeks.
The process processing step is where most of the waiting happens. After you mail or submit your completed process, your state's Secretary of State office processes it. This typically takes two to six weeks, though some states are faster and some slower. A few states offer expedited processing for an extra fee, which can cut this time in half.
State-by-State Processing Times Vary Significantly
Your state's Secretary of State office controls how long the final approval takes, and these times are not uniform. Some states publish their current processing times on their websites; others do not. States with high process volume—California, Texas, New York, Florida—often have longer waits than smaller states. States that process applications online typically move faster than those requiring mailed documents.
A few examples: Florida publishes a two to three week processing window for notary applications. New York typically takes four to six weeks. Texas can take up to eight weeks during busy periods. Smaller states like Vermont or Wyoming may process applications in two to three weeks. The best way to know your state's actual timeline is to contact your Secretary of State office directly or check their notary section online—they usually list current processing times.
What Slows Down the Timeline Most Often
Incomplete applications are the biggest cause of delays. If you forget to sign a form, leave a field blank, or submit a photo that does not meet requirements, your process gets sent back. This adds two to four weeks to your total time. Read all instructions twice before mailing or submitting, and double-check that every required field is filled in.
Fingerprinting delays happen when local fingerprinting locations have long wait times. If you live in a rural area or a place where the sheriff's office is understaffed, scheduling an appointment can take weeks. Some states allow you to use private fingerprinting services, which often have shorter waits. Check whether your state accepts prints from any authorized vendor or only from specific government offices.
Exam scheduling delays occur in states where you must take the exam at a specific testing center or during set windows. If the next exam date is three weeks away and you explore today, you cannot take the test until then. Some states offer computer-based exams you can take almost when ready; others only offer paper exams on certain dates.
How to Speed Up Your Timeline
Start by checking your state's notary requirements on the Secretary of State website. Write down whether your state requires an exam, fingerprinting, and a background check. This tells you the minimum number of steps you face. If an exam is required, purchase study materials when ready and plan to finish within a week.
Schedule your fingerprinting appointment as soon as you know it is required, even before you finish studying. Fingerprinting locations often have long wait times, so booking early means you can submit your process sooner. Some states let you submit your process before fingerprinting is complete, as long as you include the prints with your mailed packet.
Use online submission if your state offers it. Mailed applications take extra time for postal delivery and for staff to open and log them. Online submission is usually processed faster because it goes directly into the system. If your state offers expedited processing for a fee, consider it if you need to be commissioned quickly—the cost is usually $25 to $50 and cuts processing time by half.
Timeline After You Are Commissioned
Once your process is approved, you receive your notary commission certificate and, in some states, an official seal or stamp. This usually arrives by mail within one to two weeks of approval. You cannot legally perform notary duties until you have the certificate in hand, so factor in this final mailing time.
Some states allow you to begin working as soon as you receive email or phone notification of approval, even before the physical certificate arrives. Check your state's rules on this. A few states require you to take an oath of office in person before a judge or clerk before you can start working, which adds another step and one to two weeks of scheduling time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a notary while my process is being processed?
No. You cannot legally perform notary duties until your commission is official and you have received your certificate. Starting before approval is a crime in most states and can result in fines or criminal charges. Wait until you have the certificate in hand.
What if my state requires fingerprinting and I cannot get an appointment for weeks?
Contact your Secretary of State office and ask whether you can submit your process without fingerprints and add them later, or whether you can use a private fingerprinting service instead of a government office. Some states allow both options. If neither works, you may need to wait for the appointment—there is no legal shortcut.
Do I have to retake the exam if I fail it the first time?
Yes, and you usually have to wait for the next exam date and pay the exam fee again. Most states allow you to retake the exam, but the timeline resets. This can add two to eight weeks depending on when the next exam is scheduled. Study thoroughly the first time to avoid this delay.
Is there a way to become a notary faster than my state normally takes?
Expedited processing is available in some states for an additional fee, usually $25 to $75. This cuts processing time roughly in half. You cannot speed up the exam, fingerprinting, or background check steps—only the final Secretary of State review. Check your state's website to see if expedited service is offered.
What happens if I move to a different state after I become a notary?
Your notary commission is only valid in the state that issued it. If you move, you must go through the entire process again in your new state. Your old commission expires and cannot be transferred. Plan to start the timeline over if you relocate.