What Maine requires to become a notary public
To become a notary public in Maine, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Maine, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma, prior experience, or a background in law. Maine does not require you to pass an exam before you receive your commission—instead, the Secretary of State's office reviews your process and issues a commission if you meet the basic requirements.
Your commission lasts four years from the date it is issued. After that, you can renew it by submitting a renewal process and paying the renewal fee. If you move out of Maine or no longer want to serve as a notary, you can resign your commission at any time by notifying the Secretary of State.
Key Takeaways
- Maine requires notaries to be at least 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English—no exam or prior experience needed.
- You must submit an process to the Maine Secretary of State along with the process fee, which varies depending on whether you are a new applicant or renewing.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and can be renewed by submitting a renewal process before your current commission expires.
- Once commissioned, you can perform notarial acts such as witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying copies of documents.
- Maine law sets specific rules about what you can and cannot do as a notary, including restrictions on notarizing documents for family members or when you have a financial interest.
How to submit your process to the Maine Secretary of State
Contact the Maine Secretary of State's office directly to request an process form. You can reach them by phone, mail, or through their website. The office will send you the notary process form along with instructions and information about the current fee.
Complete the process form with your full legal name, Maine address, date of birth, and other information the form requests. Sign the process in front of a notary public or another authorized official—Maine requires this signature to be witnessed. If you do not already know a notary, you can often find one at a bank, law office, or title company in your area.
Mail the completed, signed process to the Maine Secretary of State along with the process fee. Keep a copy for your records. The office will process your process and mail your commission certificate to your Maine address once it is approved. This process typically takes several weeks.
Understanding Maine's rules for notarial acts
Once you are commissioned, you can perform several types of notarial acts. These include witnessing signatures on documents, administering oaths or affirmations, certifying that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original, and taking acknowledgments—statements in which a person confirms they signed a document of their own free will.
Maine law places specific limits on when you can perform these acts. You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if the signer is a family member, or if you have a close personal relationship with the signer that could bias your judgment. You also cannot notarize a document if the signer does not appear before you in person or if you cannot confirm their identity through a government-issued ID or other reliable means.
When you perform a notarial act, you must keep a record of it in a notary journal. Maine requires you to record the date, the type of act, the name of the signer, the type of ID used, and a brief description of the document. This journal is a legal record and may be requested by a court or law enforcement.
Obtaining your notary seal and journal
After you receive your commission certificate from the Maine Secretary of State, you will need to obtain a notary seal and a notary journal. These are not provided by the state—you must purchase them yourself from a vendor.
The notary seal is a stamp or embosser that prints your name, the words "Notary Public," your commission number, and the expiration date of your commission onto documents. You can order a seal from office supply companies, online retailers, or local print shops. The seal must be legible and include all required information. Most seals cost between $15 and $50.
The notary journal is a bound book where you record details of each notarial act you perform. You can purchase a journal from the same vendors that sell notary seals. Some notaries use a physical book; others use an electronic journal if Maine law permits it. Check with the Secretary of State's office about whether electronic journals are allowed and what format they must follow.
Renewing your Maine notary commission
Your notary commission expires four years after it is issued. To continue serving as a notary, you must renew your commission before the expiration date. The Maine Secretary of State will mail you a renewal notice several months before your commission expires, but it is your responsibility to submit the renewal process on time.
The renewal process is similar to the initial process. You will complete a renewal form, have your signature witnessed by a notary or authorized official, and mail it to the Secretary of State along with the renewal fee. Submit your renewal at least a few weeks before your current commission expires to avoid a gap in your authority to perform notarial acts.
If your commission expires before you renew, you cannot perform notarial acts until you receive a new commission. If you renew after the expiration date, you may need to reapply as a new applicant rather than renewing, which could involve additional steps or fees. Contact the Secretary of State's office if you are unsure whether you can still renew or if you have missed the important date.
What happens after you are commissioned
Once you receive your commission certificate, you are authorized to perform notarial acts anywhere in Maine. You can advertise your services as a notary public, though Maine law restricts how you can advertise—you cannot claim to be a lawyer or provide legal information unless you actually are a licensed attorney.
Many notaries work part-time or as a side service to their main job. Banks, law offices, real estate companies, and title companies often employ notaries. Some notaries work independently and charge a fee for each notarial act they perform. Maine law does not set a maximum fee, but it is common to charge between $5 and $15 per signature or act.
Keep your notary journal find and organized. You may be asked to produce it in court or as part of a legal investigation. When your commission expires or you resign, you must return your journal to the Maine Secretary of State or keep it for the period required by state law. Contact the Secretary of State's office for specific instructions on what to do with your journal when your commission ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a test to become a notary in Maine?
No. Maine does not require a notary exam. You must meet the age, residency, and language requirements, submit an process with a witnessed signature, and pay the fee. The Secretary of State reviews your process and issues a commission if you meet the requirements.
Can I notarize a document for my spouse or family member?
No. Maine law prohibits you from notarizing documents for family members or anyone with whom you have a close personal relationship. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction. This rule protects the integrity of the notarial act.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Maine?
The process fee varies and changes over time. Contact the Maine Secretary of State's office for the current fee. You will also need to purchase a notary seal and journal separately, which typically cost $15 to $50 combined, depending on the vendor and style you choose.
What if I move out of Maine after I am commissioned?
Your Maine notary commission is only valid in Maine. If you move to another state, you can no longer serve as a Maine notary. You would need to become a notary in your new state by following that state's requirements. You should resign your Maine commission by notifying the Secretary of State.
Can I notarize a document if the signer is not physically present?
No. Maine requires the signer to appear before you in person. You must see their government-issued ID and confirm their identity. Remote notarization is not permitted under Maine law, so the signer must be in the same room with you when you perform the notarial act.