What Maryland Requires to Become a Notary
To become a notary public 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 a high school diploma or any prior experience. The state does require you to pass a written exam and submit an process to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, which oversees notaries.
Maryland notaries serve a four-year term. Once commissioned, you can perform notarial acts like witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying copies of documents. The process takes roughly four to six weeks from process to commission, though this varies depending on how quickly you submit materials and the state's processing backlog.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a Maryland resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary.
- The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation administers the notary program and processes all applications.
- You must pass a written exam covering Maryland notary law and general notarial practices before your commission is issued.
- The commission fee is $50 and covers your four-year term; renewal costs $50 as well.
- You can explore online through the state's website or by mail, and the entire process typically takes four to six weeks.
Step-by-Step process Process
Start by completing the Notary Public process form, which you can read from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation website or request by mail. The form asks for your full legal name, Maryland address, date of birth, and contact information. You will also declare that you meet the basic requirements and have not been convicted of certain crimes that would disqualify you.
After completing the form, submit it along with a check or money order for $50 made payable to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Mail both to the address listed on the form. The state will send you an exam notice once your process is received and verified. You do not register for the exam separately—the state schedules it and notifies you by mail of the date, time, and location.
Some counties offer in-person process submission at local offices, which can speed up processing. Contact your county's assessor's office to ask whether this option is available in your area.
Passing the Notary Exam
The Maryland notary exam covers state-specific laws, ethical standards, and practical notarial procedures. You will have two hours to complete the test, which typically contains 30 to 40 multiple-choice questions. You must score at least 70 percent to pass. The exam is offered at testing centers across the state, and the state will tell you which location is nearest to you when it sends your exam notice.
Study materials are available free on the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation website. The official study guide covers topics like proper identification verification, journal requirements, prohibited acts, and how to handle common notarial requests. Many people spend two to four weeks studying before taking the exam.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you must pay the $50 fee again for each retake process.
What Happens After You Pass the Exam
Once you pass the exam, the state will issue your notary commission. You will receive a commission certificate by mail, which serves as your official proof of appointment. Your commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. You do not need to renew your oath or take another exam unless you let your commission expire and then reapply later.
Before you can perform notarial acts, you must obtain a notary seal and journal. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the words "Notary Public," and "State of Maryland" on documents. You can purchase a seal from any office supply store or online retailer—there is no state-approved vendor requirement. The journal is a bound book where you record details of each notarial act you perform, including the date, the type of act, the document title, and the signer's identification. Journals are also available from office supply stores.
Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
Your notary seal must be legible and include your name, the words "Notary Public," and "State of Maryland." The seal can be a rubber stamp, embosser, or digital image if you perform notarizations electronically. There is no official state seal design—you choose the format that works for your practice. Most notaries use a 1.5-inch round rubber stamp.
The journal is mandatory. You must record every notarial act you perform, even if the person asks you not to. Each entry should include the date, type of notarial act (oath, signature witnessing, copy certification, etc.), the document title, the signer's name and address, the type of identification shown, and your signature. This record protects you legally if a document is later questioned and helps you remember details if you are called to testify.
Keep your journal in a safe place and do not allow others to write in it. When your four-year term ends, you must retain the journal for at least five years. If your commission is revoked or you resign, you must return your seal to the state and keep the journal for the required period.
Fees and Renewal
The initial process and exam fee is $50. This covers your four-year commission. There are no additional state fees for the seal or journal—you purchase those separately from private vendors at whatever price they charge, typically $15 to $40 for a seal and $10 to $25 for a journal.
When your four-year term expires, you can renew your commission by submitting a renewal process and another $50 fee. Renewal does not require you to retake the exam. You straightforward confirm that you still meet the basic requirements and submit the form and payment before your current commission expires. If you let your commission lapse, you must reapply as a new applicant and take the exam again.
What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary
As a Maryland notary, you can witness signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, certify that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original, and take acknowledgments (confirming that a signer executed a document willingly). You can notarize documents for anyone, including family members, though some states and institutions discourage notarizing for relatives due to conflict-of-interest concerns.
You cannot provide legal information, prepare legal documents, determine whether a document needs to be notarized, or charge more than the state-set fee of $2 per notarial act (as of the last update; check the current fee with the state). You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if the signer is not present in front of you, or if you cannot verify the signer's identity through government-issued photo identification or other acceptable means.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to work for a business or employer to become a notary?
No. You can become a notary as an independent person. Many notaries work for banks, law offices, or real estate companies, but you do not need employer sponsorship to explore. You can perform notarial acts for the public on your own time.
Can I notarize a document for someone I know personally?
Yes, you can notarize for family members and friends. However, you must still verify their identity with government-issued photo identification and follow all other notarial procedures. Some institutions like banks or courts may refuse to accept a notarization if the notary is related to the signer, so inform the person of this possibility beforehand.
What if I move out of Maryland after becoming a notary?
Your Maryland commission becomes invalid if you move out of state. You must resign your commission and, if you want to become a notary in your new state, explore through that state's process. Each state has its own requirements and fees.
How much can I charge for a notarization?
Maryland law sets the maximum fee at $2 per notarial act. You can charge less, but not more. Some notaries charge nothing for friends or family; others charge the full $2 for every act. You set your own rate within the legal limit.
What happens if I make a mistake on a notarized document?
If you notice an error before you sign and seal the document, you can ask the signer to initial the correction. If the error is discovered after notarization, the document may be considered invalid, and the signer may need to have it re-notarized. This is why careful attention to detail and keeping a detailed journal are important—they protect both you and the signer.