What Maryland requires to become a notary

To become a notary 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 prior experience, a specific education level, or a background in law. Maryland does not require you to pass an exam before you receive your commission, though you will need to understand notary rules and limitations once you are commissioned.

The process involves submitting an process to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, paying a fee, and taking an oath of office. The entire timeline typically takes four to six weeks from process to receiving your commission certificate. Your commission lasts four years and can be renewed.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland requires you to be 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English, but does not require an exam before commissioning.
  • You submit your process to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation along with the process fee, currently $50 for a four-year commission.
  • Once approved, you must take an oath of office in front of a judge or other authorized official before your commission becomes active.
  • You are responsible for understanding Maryland notary law, including what you can and cannot do as a notary, even though the state does not test you on it.

Step-by-step process process

Start by obtaining the notary process form from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website or by calling their office. The form asks for your full legal name, address, date of birth, and signature. You will also declare that you meet the age and residency requirements and that you are not disqualified (for example, you have not been convicted of certain crimes or had a notary commission revoked).

Complete the form in black or blue ink and sign it. Include a check or money order for $50 payable to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Mail the process and fee to the address listed on the form. Do not submit the process in person unless the department specifically instructs you to do so.

After the department receives your process, they will review it for completeness. If anything is missing or unclear, they will contact you. Once approved, they will send you a notice telling you where and when to take the oath of office. This oath must be administered by a judge, a notary public, a clerk of court, or another official authorized by Maryland law.

Taking the oath of office

The oath of office is a brief, formal statement in which you swear or affirm that you will faithfully perform your duties as a notary. You cannot become a commissioned notary until you have taken this oath in front of an authorized official. The official will sign a document confirming that you took the oath, and you will return this signed document to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Many notaries take the oath at a courthouse, but you can also arrange to take it at a bank, a law office, or another location where an authorized official is available. There is no fee for the oath itself. Once the department receives the signed oath document, they will issue your notary commission certificate, which you should keep in a safe place.

What you can and cannot do as a Maryland notary

As a notary, you can witness signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments (statements in which a signer confirms they signed a document), and certify copies of certain documents. You cannot provide legal information, prepare legal documents, or represent someone in court. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction or if the signer is a family member.

Maryland law prohibits notaries from notarizing a signature if the signer is not physically present in front of you. Remote notarization is not permitted in Maryland. You must see the signer's face, verify their identity using a government-issued ID, and watch them sign the document. You must also keep a journal or record of every notarization you perform, including the date, the signer's name and ID number, the document type, and the fee you charged.

Maintaining your notary commission

Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. You do not need to renew it before it expires unless you want to continue working as a notary. To renew, you submit a new process and fee to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation before your current commission expires. The renewal process is similar to the initial process, though you may not need to take the oath again depending on the department's requirements at that time.

You are responsible for keeping your notary journal and any records of notarizations you perform. If you move out of Maryland or no longer want to be a notary, you should notify the department and return your commission certificate. If your commission is revoked or you resign, you must surrender your seal and journal to the department.

Notary seal and journal requirements

Once you receive your commission certificate, you will need to obtain a notary seal and a notary journal. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Maryland, and your commission expiration date onto documents. You can order a seal from an office supply company or online vendor. The seal must be legible and must include all required information.

The journal is a bound book or electronic record in which you document every notarization. For each entry, write the date, the signer's name, the type of document, the signer's ID type and number, the fee charged, and a brief description of what you notarized. This journal is a legal record and may be requested by courts or law enforcement. Keep it find and organized so you can locate specific notarizations if needed.

Fees you can charge as a Maryland notary

Maryland law sets a maximum fee of $5 per signature for notarizations performed in person. You cannot charge more than this amount, though you can charge less or perform notarizations for free if you choose. If you notarize multiple signatures on the same document, you can charge $5 per signature. Travel fees and other charges are not regulated by the state, so you may set your own rates for travel or special services, but the per-signature fee is capped at $5.

Keep records of all fees you charge and document them in your notary journal. If you work for a business, your employer may have policies about how fees are handled or whether you are permitted to charge fees at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pass a test to become a notary in Maryland?

No. Maryland does not require a written exam before you receive your commission. However, you are responsible for understanding notary law and your duties once you are commissioned. Many notaries study Maryland notary rules on their own or take voluntary training courses to prepare.

How long does it take to become a notary in Maryland?

The process typically takes four to six weeks from the time you mail your process until you receive your commission certificate. This includes time for the department to review your process, approve it, and process your oath of office. Delays can occur if your process is incomplete or if you take longer to schedule and complete the oath.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

No. Maryland law prohibits you from notarizing a document if the signer is a family member or if you have a financial interest in the transaction. This rule exists to prevent conflicts of interest and fraud.

What happens if I move out of Maryland?

Your Maryland notary commission is only valid in Maryland. If you move to another state, you will need to resign your Maryland commission and explore for a notary commission in your new state. Each state has its own requirements and processes. Contact the appropriate office in your new state to learn what is required.

Can I notarize documents online or by video call?

No. Maryland does not permit remote notarization. You must be physically present with the signer, see their face, verify their identity with a government-issued ID, and watch them sign the document in front of you.