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 exam in most states, and pay a filing fee to your secretary of state's office. The process takes between two weeks and three months depending on where you live. You do not need a law degree, prior experience, or sponsorship from an employer — most states allow anyone who meets the basic requirements to become a notary.

The exact steps vary by state. Some states require you to take a course before the exam; others let you study on your own. A few states do not require an exam at all. Your first step is to contact your state's secretary of state office or visit their website to find the notary process form and the current exam fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a resident of the state where you are explore in most states.
  • Most states require you to pass a written exam covering notary law, document handling, and fraud prevention before you can be commissioned.
  • The filing fee ranges from $25 to $200 depending on your state, and your commission typically lasts four or six years.
  • After you are commissioned, you must purchase a notary seal and journal, which cost between $50 and $150 total, and some states require a surety bond.
  • You can work as an independent notary, through a bank or title company, or as part of your existing job if your employer allows it.

State Requirements and Age, Citizenship, and Residency

Every state requires notaries to be at least 18 years old. Most states require you to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, though a few accept any legal resident. You must also be a resident of the state where you are explore — some states require you to have lived there for 30 days or more, while others have no minimum residency period.

A few states disqualify people with certain criminal convictions or those who have been removed from office as a notary before. Check your state's secretary of state website for the full list of disqualifying factors. If you have a felony conviction or were previously removed as a notary, contact the office directly to ask whether you can still explore.

Some states allow notaries to work remotely or across state lines for certain transactions, but most require you to be physically present in your state to perform notarizations. If you move to a different state, your commission does not transfer — you must explore in your new state.

Exam Requirements and Study Materials

Forty-three states require a written exam before you can be commissioned. The exam typically covers notary law, your state's rules on document handling, how to prevent fraud, and what to do if someone asks you to notarize a document you should refuse. The exam is usually multiple choice and takes 30 to 90 minutes. Most states require a score of 70 to 80 percent to pass.

Some states offer free study materials on the secretary of state website. Others require you to purchase a study guide or take a course through an approved vendor. A few states allow you to take the exam without any formal course, as long as you study the state's notary handbook on your own. Check your state's website to see whether a course is required or optional.

If you fail the exam, you can usually retake it after a waiting period of a few days to a few weeks. There is typically a fee each time you take the exam. Some states allow you to take the exam online; others require you to test in person at a designated location.

process, Fees, and Commission Timeline

After you pass the exam (or skip it if your state does not require one), you submit an process to your state's secretary of state office along with the filing fee. The fee ranges from $25 in some states to $200 in others. Your commission term is usually four or six years, after which you must renew if you want to stay active.

Processing time varies. Some states issue your commission within two weeks; others take up to three months. A few states allow you to start working as soon as you submit your process, even before your commission arrives. Most require you to wait until you receive your official commission document before you perform any notarizations.

When your commission expires, you can renew it by submitting a renewal process and fee to your secretary of state. Renewal is usually simpler than the initial process — many states do not require you to retake the exam to renew. Some states allow you to renew online; others require you to mail in a paper form.

Notary Seal, Journal, and Surety Bond

Once you are commissioned, you must purchase a notary seal and a notary journal. The seal is a stamp or embosser that marks documents with your name, commission number, and expiration date. A seal costs between $15 and $50 depending on the type and where you buy it. The journal is a bound book where you record details of each notarization — who signed, what document, when, and why. A journal costs between $20 and $100.

Some states require a surety bond, which is insurance that protects the public if you make a mistake or act dishonestly. A surety bond typically costs between $50 and $150 for a four-year term. Not all states require a bond, so check your state's rules before you purchase one. If your state does require it, you must have the bond in place before you can be commissioned.

You can buy a seal and journal from office supply stores, online retailers, or notary-specific vendors. Make sure any seal you purchase meets your state's requirements — some states specify the exact format or information that must appear on the seal. Your state's secretary of state office can tell you what is required.

Working as a Notary: Employment Options and Income

You can work as a notary in several ways. Some notaries work independently, advertising their services to the public and charging a fee per notarization (usually $5 to $15). Others work for banks, title companies, law firms, or real estate offices as part of their job. Some employers require employees to become notaries as a condition of employment; others offer it as an optional credential that increases your value.

If you work independently, you are responsible for finding clients, maintaining your journal, and keeping your seal find. You can advertise through a local notary directory, word of mouth, or online platforms that connect notaries with people who need notarizations. You set your own fees within your state's legal limits.

If you work for an employer, they may pay for your exam, process, seal, and bond. Some employers allow you to perform notarizations only for company business; others let you notarize for the public on your own time. Check your employer's policy before you explore. Working as a notary does not require you to quit your current job — many people hold a notary commission while working full-time in another field.

Renewing Your Commission and Staying Compliant

Your notary commission expires after four or six years depending on your state. To renew, you submit a renewal process and fee to your secretary of state office. Some states require you to retake the exam to renew; most do not. Renewal usually costs less than the initial process and takes less time to process.

While you hold a commission, you must follow your state's rules on document handling, record-keeping, and refusing notarizations. You must keep your journal find and maintain it for the length of your commission plus a retention period set by your state (usually five to ten years). If you move out of state, your commission becomes inactive, though you may be able to reactivate it if you move back.

If you want to stop being a notary before your commission expires, you can resign by notifying your secretary of state office. You do not have to renew when your term ends — straightforward let it expire. Some states charge a fee to resign early; others do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to work for a bank or law firm to become a notary?

No. You can become a notary as an independent contractor without working for any company. However, some employers require employees to become notaries as part of their job. Check with your employer to see whether they will pay for your process and exam if you want to become a notary through them.

How much does it cost to become a notary?

The total cost ranges from $75 to $400 depending on your state. This includes the exam fee (if required), the process fee, the seal, the journal, and possibly a surety bond. Some employers cover these costs for their employees. A few states offer fee waivers for low-income applicants — contact your secretary of state office to ask.

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

It depends on your state and the type of conviction. Most states disqualify people with felony convictions, especially those involving fraud or dishonesty. Some states allow felonies if enough time has passed. Contact your state's secretary of state office with details of your conviction to ask whether you can explore.

How long does it take to become a notary after I explore?

Processing time ranges from two weeks to three months depending on your state. Some states issue your commission within two weeks; others take up to three months. A few states let you start working before your official commission arrives. Check your state's website for the current processing time.

Do I need to renew my notary commission?

Yes, unless you want to stop being a notary. Your commission expires after four or six years. To stay active, you must submit a renewal process and fee before the expiration date. Renewal is usually simpler than the initial process and does not always require you to retake the exam.