What Maryland requires to become a notary

To become a notary public in Maryland, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Maryland, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma, college degree, or prior experience. Maryland does require you to pass a written test and pay a fee to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, but there is no apprenticeship or sponsorship requirement.

The process takes roughly four to six weeks from the time you submit your paperwork to the time you receive your commission. You cannot notarize documents until your commission arrives and is officially recorded.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland notaries must be at least 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English, with no education or experience requirement.
  • You must pass a written exam covering notary law and duties, which you can study for using the official Maryland notary handbook.
  • The process fee is $50 for a four-year commission, paid to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
  • Your commission is valid for four years and must be renewed before it expires if you want to continue notarizing documents.
  • You are required to maintain a notary journal and follow specific rules about what documents you can and cannot notarize.

Step-by-step process process

Start by obtaining the official process form from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can read it from their website or request it by mail. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You will also declare that you meet the basic requirements and have not been convicted of certain crimes.

Complete the form in full, sign it, and mail it along with a check or money order for $50 to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Include a copy of a valid government-issued ID with your process. Do not send cash. Once the department receives your process, they will send you information about the written test, including the date, time, and location.

The test is administered at a testing center in your county or a nearby county. You must bring a valid photo ID to the test. The exam covers Maryland notary law, your duties and responsibilities, and common notarization scenarios. You have two hours to complete it. A passing score is 70 percent or higher.

Studying for the Maryland notary exam

The State Department of Assessments and Taxation provides a free study guide called the Maryland Notary Public Handbook. This handbook covers everything the test will ask about: the definition of notarization, the types of notarial acts you can perform, identification requirements, journal-keeping rules, and prohibited conduct. The handbook is available as a PDF read on the department's website.

Read through the handbook at least twice before your test date. Pay close attention to sections on identification (what documents you can accept to verify someone's identity), the difference between acknowledgments and jurats, and situations where you must refuse to notarize. Many test questions focus on these areas because they are the most common sources of notary errors in practice.

You can also find practice tests and sample questions on the department's website. These are not official practice exams, but they give you a sense of the question format and difficulty level. Some notaries find it helpful to take notes while reading the handbook and review those notes the day before the test.

What happens after you pass the exam

Once you pass the test, the testing center will notify the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The department will then process your commission. This step typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, your process is being reviewed and your commission document is being prepared.

When your commission is ready, the department will mail it to the address you provided on your process. Your commission is a formal document that authorizes you to perform notarial acts in Maryland. You must keep it in a safe place. Some notaries frame it or store it with important documents.

Your commission becomes effective on the date printed on the document. You cannot notarize anything before that date, even if you have already passed the exam. Once the date arrives, you are officially a notary public and can begin notarizing documents.

Notary bonds and insurance

Maryland does not require notaries to carry a surety bond or errors and omissions insurance. However, many notaries choose to purchase a notary bond anyway because it protects them if someone sues them for a notarization error. A bond typically costs between $50 and $150 for a four-year term and is available from insurance companies and surety bond providers.

If you plan to notarize documents as part of a job—for example, as a bank employee or real estate closing agent—your employer may require you to carry a bond. Check with your employer before purchasing one, because they may have a specific provider they work with or may cover the cost themselves.

Errors and omissions insurance is separate from a bond and covers legal costs if you are sued. It is optional in Maryland but recommended if you notarize documents frequently or for the public.

Maintaining your notary commission

Your Maryland notary commission lasts for four years from the date it is issued. Before it expires, you must renew it if you want to continue notarizing. The renewal process is similar to the initial process: you complete a renewal form, pay a $50 fee, and pass another written exam.

The State Department of Assessments and Taxation will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before your commission expires. The notice includes the renewal form and information about the renewal exam. You should submit your renewal process at least 30 days before your commission expires to avoid a gap in your authority.

If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot notarize documents until your new commission arrives. If you let your commission lapse and do not renew within a certain period, you may have to reapply as a new notary rather than renewing, though the State Department can clarify the exact rules for your situation.

Your duties as a Maryland notary

Once commissioned, you are required to keep a notary journal—a record of every notarization you perform. For each entry, you must record the date, the type of notarial act (acknowledgment, jurat, or other), the name of the person whose signature you notarized, the type of ID they showed you, and a brief description of the document. Maryland law does not specify a particular journal format, but many notaries use a bound book or a digital log.

You must also follow strict rules about who you can notarize for. You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if you are a party to the document, or if the signer is not present in front of you. You must verify the signer's identity using an acceptable form of ID, and you must be satisfied that they are signing of their own free will.

Notaries are prohibited from giving legal information, preparing documents, or charging more than the fee set by Maryland law (currently $2 per notarial act, though this can change). If someone asks you to do something outside your authority as a notary, you must decline and explain that you can only perform notarial acts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in Maryland to become a notary there?

Yes, Maryland requires notaries to be residents of the state. You must provide proof of residency with your process, typically a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. If you move out of Maryland, your commission becomes invalid and you cannot notarize documents.

What if I fail the notary exam?

You can retake the exam. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you must pay the $50 process fee again for each attempt. Many people pass on their second or third try after spending more time with the study handbook. Contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to schedule your next test date.

Can I notarize for family members or close friends?

Maryland law does not prohibit notarizing for family members, but it is generally considered poor practice because it raises questions about impartiality. If you notarize for someone close to you, document it carefully in your journal and be prepared to explain the relationship if the notarization is ever challenged. Many notaries decline to notarize for family to avoid this problem.

How much can I charge for a notarization?

Maryland law sets a maximum fee of $2 per notarial act. You can charge less, but you cannot charge more. Some notaries charge $2 per signature, while others charge a flat rate per document. Keep records of what you charge so you can verify you are following the law.

What should I do if someone asks me to notarize something I am unsure about?

When in doubt, decline the notarization and explain why. You can contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation or consult the Maryland Notary Public Handbook for guidance on specific situations. It is better to turn down a notarization than to perform one incorrectly and face liability later.