What Pennsylvania requires to become a notary

To become a notary in Pennsylvania, 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 prior experience. The state does not require you to pass an exam or take a course, though some people choose to do both anyway for their own preparation.

Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The commission lasts four years and costs $75. You explore directly to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, not through a county clerk or local authority.

The main barrier for most people is the oath requirement: you must take an oath before a judge, magisterial district judge, or another notary already commissioned in Pennsylvania. This oath cannot be waived or done by mail. You have to appear in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Pennsylvania has no exam or course requirement, but you must be 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English.
  • You explore to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, not your county, and the commission costs $75 for four years.
  • You must take an oath in front of a judge, magisterial district judge, or existing notary before your commission becomes valid.
  • The oath is the step that takes the most planning because you have to find someone authorized to administer it and schedule a time to meet them.

Step-by-step process process

Start by contacting the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office directly. You can reach them by phone at 717-787-6458 or visit their website to request an process packet. The office will mail you the forms you need or you can read them online. The main form is the Notary Public process.

Fill out the process with your full legal name, address, date of birth, and other identifying information. You will need to list two references — people who know you and can vouch for your character. These do not have to be notaries themselves. Sign the process in front of a notary or authorized official; the process itself requires a signature witnessed by someone with authority to administer oaths.

Mail the completed process and the $75 fee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Department of State, Notary Public Section, 302 North Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Include a copy of your photo ID and proof of Pennsylvania residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days.

The office will review your process and contact you if anything is missing. Once approved, they will send you a commission certificate. You then have 30 days to take the oath before a judge or authorized official. After you take the oath, you are officially commissioned.

Finding someone to administer your oath

This step often takes the most time because you have to locate an authorized person and coordinate a meeting. In Pennsylvania, judges, magisterial district judges, and existing notaries can all administer the oath. You cannot use a family member or someone with a financial interest in your becoming a notary.

If you know a notary already, ask them directly. Many notaries will administer oaths for a small fee, typically $10 to $25. If you do not know one, contact your local magisterial district judge's office. You can find the office nearest you through the Pennsylvania Court System website or by calling your county courthouse. Magisterial district judges usually administer oaths for free or a nominal fee.

Some law offices also offer oath administration. Call ahead to confirm they will do it and ask about any fees. Once you have found someone, call or visit in person to schedule a time. Bring your commission certificate and photo ID to the appointment.

Costs and timeline

The process fee is $75, which covers your four-year commission. If you choose to take a notary course or study guide, those typically cost $20 to $50, but they are optional. Some people pay a notary or judge $10 to $25 to administer the oath, though magisterial district judges often do it free.

The entire process usually takes four to eight weeks from the time you mail your process to the time you receive your commission certificate. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's office does not publish a specific processing time, so delays can happen if your process is incomplete or if the office is handling a high volume of requests.

The 30-day window to take your oath begins when you receive your commission certificate. If you do not take the oath within 30 days, your commission is void and you have to reapply and pay the fee again. Plan ahead to find an oath administrator before your certificate arrives.

What you can and cannot do as a notary

A Pennsylvania notary can witness signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, and certify copies of certain documents. You can notarize documents for anyone, including family members, though some states restrict this — Pennsylvania does not. You can charge a fee for your services; the state does not set a maximum, though $5 to $10 per signature is common.

You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if you are a party to the document, or if you are related to a party by blood or marriage. You cannot notarize a signature you did not personally witness. You cannot provide legal information or draft legal documents — that is the work of a lawyer.

You must keep a journal of every notarization you perform, recording the date, the type of document, the signer's name and ID type, and the fee charged. This journal is a public record and can be inspected by law enforcement or the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You must renew your commission every four years by paying the $75 fee again and taking a new oath.

Preparing for your role as a notary

Even though Pennsylvania does not require a course or exam, many new notaries take a study course to understand the rules and common mistakes. The National Notary Association offers online courses that cover Pennsylvania law specifically. These courses cost $30 to $50 and take one to two hours to complete. They are not required, but they can help you avoid costly errors.

You will need to buy a notary seal and journal before you start working. A seal costs $15 to $40 and can be ordered online or from office supply stores. A journal costs $10 to $30. Some notaries use an electronic seal if they notarize digital documents, though this requires additional certification from the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Read the Pennsylvania Notary Public Handbook, which is free and available on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. It explains your duties, the documents you can and cannot notarize, and common situations you will encounter. Keeping a copy at your desk helps you answer questions correctly and protects you from liability.

Renewing your commission

Your notary commission lasts four years from the date you take your oath. About 60 days before your commission expires, the Secretary of the Commonwealth will send you a renewal notice. You can renew by mail or online, depending on what the office offers at that time.

To renew, you pay the $75 fee again and submit a renewal process. You do not have to take a new oath to renew — the renewal process is simpler than the initial commission. If you miss the renewal important date, your commission expires and you have to reapply as a new notary, including taking the oath again.

If you move out of Pennsylvania, your commission becomes invalid. You cannot notarize documents in another state unless you are also commissioned there. If you move back to Pennsylvania before your commission expires, contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth to update your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take a notary course before I explore?

No. Pennsylvania does not require a course or exam to become a notary. You can explore with only the basic requirements: being 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English. Many people take a course anyway to learn the rules and avoid mistakes, but it is not mandatory.

Can I notarize a document for a family member?

Yes, Pennsylvania allows notaries to notarize documents for family members. However, you cannot notarize if you have a financial interest in the document or if you are a party to it. For example, you could notarize a family member's signature on a power of attorney, but not on a loan where you are also borrowing money.

What happens if I take the oath but do not receive my commission certificate?

Contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office and provide the date and location where you took the oath. The office will verify that the oath was administered correctly and issue your certificate. Keep a record of where and when you took the oath in case you need to prove it.

Can I notarize documents outside of Pennsylvania?

No. Your Pennsylvania notary commission is only valid in Pennsylvania. If you notarize a document outside the state, it is not legally valid. If you move to another state, you must become commissioned there if you want to continue working as a notary.

How much can I charge for notarizing a document?

Pennsylvania does not set a maximum fee for notary services. You can charge whatever you and the customer agree on. The typical range is $5 to $10 per signature, though some notaries charge more for complex documents or travel. You must record the fee you charged in your journal.