What You Need to Do to Become a Notary

To become a notary public, you must meet your state's age and residency requirements, pass a written test, and submit an process to your secretary of state's office. Most states require you to be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state where you want to work. You will need to study your state's notary laws, pass an exam, and pay a fee — typically between $50 and $300 depending on where you live. After approval, you receive a commission that lasts between four and ten years, depending on your state.

The process takes between two and eight weeks from process to commission, though some states are faster than others. You do not need a law degree, prior experience, or a specific job to become a notary. Many people become notaries to add a service to their existing business, to work as a mobile notary, or to meet requirements for certain jobs.

Key Takeaways

  • Every state sets its own notary requirements, so check your secretary of state's website for the specific rules where you live.
  • You must pass a written exam on notary law and procedures, and study materials are usually available free or for a small fee from your state.
  • Your process goes to your state's secretary of state office, not to a local agency, and processing takes two to eight weeks.
  • After you receive your commission, you must purchase a notary seal and journal, which cost between $30 and $100 combined.
  • Your commission expires after a set period — usually four to ten years — and you must renew it to keep working as a notary.

Check Your State's Specific Requirements

Each state has different rules for who can become a notary. Start by visiting your secretary of state's website and looking for the notary section. You will find the exact age requirement (usually 18, but some states require 21), residency rules, and whether you need to live in a specific county. Some states require you to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; others do not.

Your secretary of state's website will also list any disqualifying factors. Most states will not commission you if you have been convicted of a felony, have an active restraining order against you, or have had a notary commission revoked. A few states require you to have a high school diploma or GED. Write down these requirements before you move forward, because they determine whether you can proceed at all.

Study Your State's Notary Laws and Take the Exam

Your state's secretary of state office provides study materials for the notary exam, either free or for a small fee (usually $10 to $25). These materials cover the laws you must follow, the types of documents you can notarize, how to identify signers, and what makes a notarization invalid. Read through the entire study guide at least once, then go through it again and take notes on sections you find confusing.

The exam itself is usually multiple choice and covers 50 to 100 questions. You typically have two to three hours to complete it. Many states allow you to take the exam at a testing center, online, or by mail. Some states require a passing score of 70 percent; others require 80 percent. Check your state's rules on retakes — most allow you to test again if you fail, though you may have to pay the exam fee a second time.

Study guides often include sample questions and answers. Work through these before test day so you know what to expect. Focus on the sections about what notaries can and cannot do, how to verify identity, and what documents require notarization.

Submit Your process to Your Secretary of State

Once you pass the exam, you submit your process to your state's secretary of state office. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and sometimes your Social Security number. You will need to provide proof of residency (a utility bill or lease) and proof of identity (a driver's license or passport). Some states require you to have your process notarized by an existing notary before you submit it — check your state's rules.

The process fee varies by state. Most charge between $50 and $150 for a first-time commission. Some states charge more if you want a longer commission period. Submit your process by mail or online, depending on what your state offers. Keep a copy of everything you send, and note the date you submitted it.

Processing times vary. Some states respond within two weeks; others take six to eight weeks. Your secretary of state's office will contact you by mail or email when your commission is approved. You will receive an official commission certificate that you must keep for your records.

Purchase Your Notary Seal and Journal

After you receive your commission, you must buy a notary seal and a notary journal before you can perform any notarizations. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, state, and commission number on documents. A seal costs between $15 and $40 depending on the type and where you buy it. You can order seals online from office supply companies or from notary-specific vendors.

The journal is a bound book where you record every notarization you perform. You write down the date, the signer's name and ID type, the document title, and your fee. The journal costs between $15 and $30. Some states require a specific journal format; check your state's rules before you buy. You must keep your journal for the entire length of your commission and make it available to your secretary of state if they audit you.

Your seal must include your name, state, and commission number or expiration date. Some states require the seal to be circular; others allow rectangular seals. Order your seal from a vendor that knows your state's requirements, because an incorrect seal can make your notarizations invalid.

Understand What Notaries Can and Cannot Do

A notary's job is to verify that the person signing a document is who they say they are, and that they are signing of their own free will. You do this by checking their government-issued ID, watching them sign, and then explore your seal and signature. You are not a lawyer, and you cannot give legal information, interpret documents, or decide whether a document is valid.

You can notarize most common documents: affidavits, powers of attorney, loan documents, and travel consent forms. You cannot notarize documents where you have a financial interest, documents for family members (rules vary by state), or documents you did not watch the signer sign in person. Some states allow remote notarization by video; others do not. Check your state's rules on what you can and cannot do.

Notaries charge a fee for each notarization. Most states set a maximum fee (usually $2 to $15 per signature), but you can charge less. Keep records of what you charge so you can explain your fees if your state audits you.

Renew Your Commission Before It Expires

Your notary commission lasts between four and ten years, depending on your state. Your commission certificate will show the expiration date. You must renew your commission before that date if you want to keep working as a notary. Most states send you a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before your commission expires, but do not rely on this — mark the expiration date on your calendar.

Renewal usually requires you to pass the exam again, submit a renewal process, and pay a renewal fee. Some states make the renewal process simpler than the initial process. Check your state's website for renewal important date and requirements. If your commission expires and you do not renew it, you cannot perform notarizations until you reapply and receive a new commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a notary license or is it just a commission?

It is called a commission, not a license. You receive a commission certificate from your secretary of state that shows you are authorized to work as a notary. You do not need a separate license. The commission is your proof that you have met your state's requirements and can legally notarize documents.

Can I become a notary if I have a criminal record?

Most states will not commission you if you have a felony conviction. Some states have waiting periods — for example, you may be able to become a notary five or ten years after your conviction. Check your state's rules on disqualifying offenses. Contact your secretary of state's office directly if you are unsure whether your record will prevent you from becoming a notary.

How much money can I make as a notary?

Income depends on how many notarizations you perform and what you charge. Most notaries charge between $2 and $15 per signature, and your state sets the maximum. If you work as a mobile notary (traveling to clients), you can charge travel fees in addition to notarization fees. Many notaries do this part-time while working another job.

What happens if I make a mistake on a notarization?

If you notarize a document incorrectly, the document may be rejected or invalid. This is why keeping detailed records in your journal is important. If someone claims you made an error, your journal proves what you did. Errors can lead to complaints to your secretary of state and possible loss of your commission, so follow your state's procedures exactly.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

Most states prohibit notarizing documents for close family members because it creates a conflict of interest. Rules vary by state and by how distant the relative is. Check your state's rules before notarizing for anyone related to you. When in doubt, ask another notary or contact your secretary of state's office.