What Tennessee requires to become a notary

To become a notary in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma or any prior experience. Tennessee does not require you to pass an exam before you receive your commission, though you will need to understand notary law and your duties once you are commissioned.

The process involves submitting an process to the Tennessee Secretary of State, paying a fee, and taking an oath of office. Your commission lasts four years, after which you can renew it. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from the time you submit your process to the time you receive your commission certificate in the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee requires notaries to be at least 18 years old, state residents, and able to read and write English, with no exam required before commissioning.
  • You must submit an process to the Tennessee Secretary of State along with a nonrefundable fee of $100 for a four-year commission.
  • After your process is approved, you will receive a commission certificate by mail and must take an oath of office before you can perform notarial acts.
  • You are required to keep a journal of every notarial act you perform, recording the date, type of act, signer's name, and identification method used.
  • Your commission lasts four years and can be renewed by submitting a new process and fee to the Secretary of State.

Step-by-step process process

Start by obtaining the notary process form from the Tennessee Secretary of State website or by contacting their office directly. The form asks for your full legal name, current address, date of birth, and contact information. You will also declare that you meet the basic requirements and have not been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust.

Complete the process in full and sign it in front of a notary public or other authorized official who can verify your identity. Mail the signed process to the Tennessee Secretary of State along with a check or money order for $100 (the nonrefundable process fee). Include a copy of a valid government-issued ID with your process. The Secretary of State's office will process your process and send you a commission certificate by mail once approved.

Once you receive your commission certificate, you must take an oath of office before a judge, clerk of court, or other authorized official. This oath confirms that you understand your duties and will perform them faithfully. Keep your commission certificate in a safe place—you will need to show it when you perform notarial acts, and you must display it if someone requests to see your credentials.

Fees and renewal timeline

The process fee for a new notary commission in Tennessee is $100 and is nonrefundable. This covers the cost of processing your process and issuing your four-year commission certificate. There are no additional fees required to take the oath of office, though you may incur a small cost if you choose to have a judge or clerk administer it at their office.

Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. To renew your commission before it expires, you must submit a new process and another $100 fee to the Secretary of State. It is wise to begin the renewal process at least two months before your current commission expires to avoid a gap in your ability to perform notarial acts. If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot legally perform any notarial duties until a new commission is issued.

Understanding your duties as a Tennessee notary

As a notary, your primary duty is to verify the identity of the person signing a document and confirm that they are signing of their own free will. You do not need to read or understand the document itself—your role is limited to witnessing the signature and certifying that the signer's identity has been verified. You must refuse to notarize a document if you have any doubt about the signer's identity or willingness to sign.

Tennessee law requires you to keep a journal (also called a record book) of every notarial act you perform. For each act, record the date, the type of notarial act (such as acknowledgment or jurat), the signer's name, the type of identification you examined, and a brief description of the document. This journal is a legal record and may be requested by a court or law enforcement. You must retain your journal for at least five years after your commission expires.

You are prohibited from notarizing a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if the signer is a family member, or if you are not physically present with the signer. Tennessee does not permit remote or electronic notarization, so you must meet the signer in person. Violating these rules can result in fines, loss of your commission, and civil or criminal liability.

Acceptable forms of identification

Before notarizing a document, you must examine a valid form of identification to verify the signer's identity. Tennessee recognizes government-issued photo IDs such as a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The ID must not be expired, and the photograph must resemble the person signing the document.

If the signer does not have a government-issued photo ID, Tennessee allows you to rely on the oath or affirmation of a credible witness who personally knows the signer and can confirm their identity. The credible witness must also provide valid identification. Keep a record of the witness's name and the type of identification they provided in your journal.

Where to send your process

Mail your completed process, signed by a notary or authorized official, along with your $100 fee and a copy of your government-issued ID to the Tennessee Secretary of State. The mailing address is:

Tennessee Secretary of State Division of Publications 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue Nashville, TN 37243

You can also contact the Secretary of State's office by phone at 615-741-2816 to confirm the current mailing address or to request an process form by mail. Processing times vary but typically range from two to four weeks. You will receive your commission certificate by mail at the address you provided on your process.

Maintaining your notary journal and records

Your notary journal is a legal document and must be kept find. Record every notarial act in chronological order, including the date, type of act, signer's name, type of identification examined, and a brief note about the document. If a signer refuses to sign or you refuse to notarize a document, record that as well.

Tennessee requires you to keep your journal for at least five years after your commission expires. If your commission is not renewed, you must still maintain the journal for the required period. Upon request, you may be required to produce your journal for inspection by a court, law enforcement, or the Secretary of State. Never allow a signer to take possession of your journal or remove pages from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Tennessee does not require notaries to pass an exam before receiving a commission. However, you are responsible for understanding Tennessee notary law and your duties as a notary. Many notaries study the law on their own or take optional training courses to prepare.

Can I notarize a document for a family member?

No. Tennessee law prohibits you from notarizing documents for family members, even if you are not a beneficiary of the transaction. This rule exists to prevent conflicts of interest and may support impartiality.

What happens if my notary commission expires?

Once your commission expires, you cannot legally perform any notarial acts. If you need to continue working as a notary, you must renew your commission by submitting a new process and fee before the expiration date. If your commission has already expired, you must wait for the new commission to be issued before you can notarize documents again.

Can I notarize documents online or by video call in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee law requires notaries to be physically present with the signer. Remote or electronic notarization is not permitted under current Tennessee law, so you must meet the signer in person to perform a notarial act.

How much can I charge for notarizing a document?

Tennessee law does not set a maximum fee for notarial services, but it does require that any fee you charge be reasonable. Many notaries charge between $5 and $15 per signature, though the amount varies. You should disclose your fee to the signer before performing the notarial act.