What You Need to Do to Become a South Carolina Notary
To become a notary in South Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a South Carolina resident, and able to read and write English. You then take a written exam, submit an process to the South Carolina Secretary of State with your exam results and fingerprints, and pay the process fee. Once approved, you receive your commission, which lasts four years.
The process takes roughly four to six weeks from process to commission, though this varies depending on how quickly the Secretary of State processes your paperwork. You do not need a law degree, prior notary experience, or a sponsoring employer—anyone who meets the basic requirements can explore.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a South Carolina resident, and able to read and write English.
- You take a written exam covering South Carolina notary law, then submit your exam results, fingerprints, and process fee to the Secretary of State.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and must be renewed by submitting a new process and fee before it expires.
- South Carolina does not require you to work for a specific employer or business to become a notary, though many notaries work for banks, law firms, or title companies.
Meet the Basic Requirements
South Carolina has four core requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, a resident of South Carolina, and able to read and write English. There is no education or experience requirement beyond this.
If you are not yet a South Carolina resident, you will need to establish residency before you can explore. This typically means having a South Carolina address on your driver's license or state ID. If you are unsure whether you meet the residency requirement, contact the South Carolina Secretary of State's office directly—they can confirm your status before you pay the process fee.
Study for and Pass the Notary Exam
South Carolina requires you to pass a written exam on notary law and duties. The exam covers topics like how to verify a signer's identity, what makes a notarization valid, when you must refuse to notarize a document, and the rules around journal entries and fees. You can study using the South Carolina Notary Public Handbook, which the Secretary of State publishes and makes available on its website.
You take the exam at an approved testing center. The Secretary of State's office maintains a list of testing locations on its website. The exam is not proctored by the state itself—you schedule it through the testing center, pay their exam fee (which varies by location), and take the test there. Most testing centers offer multiple dates and times. You receive your score when ready after completing the exam.
There is no minimum passing score published by the state, but you must pass to move forward with your process. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after waiting a set period (check with your testing center for their specific waiting period). Keep your exam results—you will need to submit them with your process.
Submit Your process to the Secretary of State
Once you have passed the exam, you submit your process to the South Carolina Secretary of State. You will need your exam results, a completed process form (available on the Secretary of State's website), proof of South Carolina residency, and fingerprints for a background check.
For fingerprints, you can visit a local law enforcement agency, a fingerprinting service, or some pharmacies and shipping stores that offer fingerprinting. The fingerprints must be on an official card or submitted electronically through an approved vendor. Ask the Secretary of State's office which format they currently accept, as this can change.
Mail or deliver your process packet along with the process fee to the Secretary of State's office. The current fee is set by state law; check the Secretary of State's website for the exact amount, as fees can change. Include a check or money order made payable to the South Carolina Secretary of State. Do not send cash.
Receive Your Commission and Take the Oath
After the Secretary of State approves your process, they mail you your notary commission certificate. You must then take the oath of office before a judge, clerk of court, or another authorized official. This is a formal but brief ceremony where you swear to perform your duties faithfully and lawfully.
You can take the oath at your county courthouse, usually at no cost. Call ahead to find out which judges or clerks are available and when they can administer the oath. Bring your commission certificate and a photo ID. Once you have taken the oath, you are officially a notary and can begin notarizing documents.
Keep your commission certificate in a safe place—you will need it to renew your commission when it expires four years later. Some notaries also keep a copy at home and at work.
Maintain Your Commission and Renew When It Expires
Your notary commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. Before it expires, you must renew if you want to continue working as a notary. The renewal process is similar to the initial process: you submit a renewal form, pay the renewal fee, and provide updated fingerprints for a background check.
The Secretary of State typically sends renewal notices about 60 days before your commission expires. If you do not receive a notice, check the expiration date on your commission certificate and contact the Secretary of State's office to request a renewal form. Do not wait until the last minute—processing can take several weeks, and you cannot notarize documents once your commission has expired.
If your commission expires and you do not renew, you will have to go through the full process process again, including the exam, if you want to become a notary later.
Understand Your Duties and Limits as a Notary
Once commissioned, you can notarize signatures on documents, administer oaths, and certify copies of certain documents. You cannot provide legal information, draft legal documents, or represent someone in court. If a client asks you to do any of these things, you must decline and refer them to a lawyer.
You must keep a notary journal (also called a notary record book) documenting every notarization you perform. The journal must include the date, the type of document, the signer's name and ID type, and your fee. South Carolina law requires you to keep this journal for at least five years. You can purchase a journal from an office supply store or online.
You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it, if you are related to the signer, or if the signer is not present in front of you. These rules exist to prevent fraud and may support the integrity of notarized documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to work for a bank or law firm to become a notary in South Carolina?
No. You can become a notary as an independent person without working for any specific employer. Many notaries work for banks, law firms, title companies, or real estate offices, but this is not required. Some notaries operate independently and charge fees for their services.
How much does it cost to become a notary in South Carolina?
The process fee and exam fee vary. The process fee to the Secretary of State is set by state law; the exam fee depends on which testing center you use. Both fees combined typically range from $50 to $150, but check the Secretary of State's website and your testing center for current amounts.
Can I notarize documents for family members?
No. South Carolina law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you are related to the signer or have a financial interest in the document. This rule prevents conflicts of interest and protects the validity of the notarization.
What happens if my notary commission expires?
Once your commission expires, you cannot notarize any documents. You must renew your commission before it expires if you want to continue working. If it expires without renewal, you will need to reapply and retake the exam to become a notary again.
Can I notarize documents outside of South Carolina?
Your South Carolina notary commission is valid only in South Carolina. If you move out of state or need to notarize documents in another state, you would need to become a notary in that state. Some states recognize notaries from other states, but this varies—check the rules in the state where you need to notarize.