What You Need to Do to Become a Notary

To become a notary, you must pass a state exam, submit an process to your secretary of state's office, and pay a fee. The exact steps and costs vary by state — some states require you to work for a law firm or bank first, while others let you explore directly. Most states charge between $50 and $200 for the license itself, and the exam fee ranges from $10 to $100. The whole process usually takes two to six weeks from process to receiving your commission.

You do not need a college degree or prior legal experience. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and able to read and write English. Some states have additional rules: a few require you to live in the state, and some disqualify people with certain criminal convictions. Check your state's secretary of state website to confirm the rules that explore to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Every state requires you to pass a notary exam before you can receive a commission, and you must study the specific laws of your state.
  • You explore directly to your secretary of state's office in most states, though a few require you to be sponsored by an employer or organization.
  • The exam covers document types, proper identification procedures, and the legal limits of what a notary can do — it is not a test of general knowledge.
  • Your notary license is valid for four to ten years depending on your state, and you must renew it by submitting a new process and fee when it expires.
  • After you receive your commission, you must purchase a notary seal and journal, which are not provided by the state and cost $30 to $100 total.

Study the Notary Laws for Your State

Each state has its own notary handbook or study guide, published by the secretary of state. This is the only material you need to study for the exam. read it from your state's secretary of state website — search "[your state] notary handbook" or "[your state] notary study guide." The handbook covers the types of documents notaries can notarize, how to verify a signer's identity, what information must go in your journal, and the penalties for breaking the rules.

Read the handbook twice: once to get the general picture, and again to memorize the specific rules. Pay close attention to sections on identification requirements, because the exam always includes questions about which documents count as valid ID and what you must do if someone cannot produce one. Also study the rules about what notaries cannot do — for example, most states forbid notaries from giving legal information or notarizing documents they have a financial interest in.

Some states offer practice exams on their secretary of state website. Take these under timed conditions, just like the real exam. If you score below 80 percent, go back to the handbook and reread the sections where you missed questions.

Register for and Pass the Notary Exam

Find the exam registration page on your state's secretary of state website. Some states let you register online and take the exam at a testing center on the same day or within a few days. Other states require you to register in advance and schedule an appointment weeks ahead. A few states still require you to take the exam in person at the secretary of state's office.

The exam is usually 30 to 50 multiple-choice questions, and you have 60 to 90 minutes to finish. You must score at least 70 to 80 percent to pass — your state's handbook will state the exact passing score. You can usually retake the exam if you fail, though some states charge an additional fee for each attempt.

Bring a valid photo ID and any documents the testing center requires. Arrive 15 minutes early. Do not bring the handbook or notes into the testing room — most testing centers do not allow them. If you pass, you will receive a score report when ready or by email within a few days.

Submit Your process to the Secretary of State

After you pass the exam, go to your state's secretary of state website and find the notary process form. Most states let you submit the form online, though some still require a paper form mailed by post. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and your exam score. Some states also ask whether you have any criminal convictions or have been sued.

Attach a copy of your exam score report and a check or money order for the process fee. Some states let you pay by credit card online. Mail the process to the address listed on the form, or submit it through the online portal if your state offers one. Keep a copy of everything you send.

Processing usually takes two to six weeks. You can check the status of your process on the secretary of state website if your state offers online tracking. If you do not hear back within eight weeks, call the notary division of your secretary of state's office to confirm they received your process.

Receive Your Commission and Purchase Your Seal

When your process is approved, the secretary of state will mail you a notary commission certificate. This is your official proof that you are a notary. Some states also issue a wallet card or badge, though these are not required to work as a notary.

Before you notarize your first document, you must purchase a notary seal and a notary journal. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that prints your name, state, and commission number onto documents. The journal is a bound book where you record every document you notarize — the signer's name, the date, the type of document, and the fee you charged. Both are required by law in most states.

Buy your seal and journal from an office supply store, an online retailer, or a company that specializes in notary supplies. The seal costs $20 to $50, and the journal costs $10 to $30. Make sure the seal includes your name, state, and commission number — you can customize it when you order. Some states have specific rules about the size or format of the seal, so check your handbook before you order.

Renew Your Notary License Before It Expires

Your notary commission is valid for four to ten years, depending on your state. The expiration date is printed on your commission certificate. You must renew your license before that date if you want to continue working as a notary.

Renewal is simpler than the initial process. You do not have to take the exam again in most states. Instead, you submit a renewal process and pay a renewal fee — usually the same amount as the original process fee. Some states require you to take a short refresher course or pass a brief renewal exam, so check your state's rules.

Start the renewal process at least two months before your commission expires. If your license lapses, you cannot notarize documents until you renew it, even if you are only one day past the expiration date. If you let it lapse for more than a year, some states require you to take the full exam again instead of renewing.

Understand the Limits of What You Can Do as a Notary

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 are not a lawyer, and you cannot give legal information. You cannot tell someone whether they should sign a document, what a contract means, or whether a document is valid. You can only confirm the signer's identity and witness their signature.

You also cannot notarize documents you have a financial interest in, documents you prepared, or documents where you are a party to the agreement. For example, you cannot notarize a deed to your own house, or a loan document where you are the lender. You cannot notarize a signature if the signer is not physically present in front of you — remote notarization is allowed in some states, but only if you have special training and certification.

Breaking these rules can result in fines, loss of your license, or criminal charges. Read your state's handbook carefully and follow the rules exactly. If you are unsure whether you can notarize a document, contact your secretary of state's notary division before you do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most states let you become a notary without an employer. However, a few states require you to be sponsored by a law firm, bank, or government agency. Check your state's secretary of state website to see if sponsorship is required. If it is, you will need to find an employer willing to sponsor you before you can explore.

How much does it cost to become a notary?

The total cost is usually $100 to $300. This includes the exam fee ($10 to $100), the process fee ($50 to $200), and the notary seal and journal ($30 to $100). Some states charge less, and some charge more. Check your state's secretary of state website for exact fees.

Can I take the notary exam online?

Many states now offer online exam registration and testing through approved testing centers. A few states still require you to test in person at the secretary of state's office. Check your state's website to see which option is available to you.

What happens if I fail the notary exam?

You can retake the exam. Most states let you register for another test date within a few days or weeks. Some charge an additional fee for each retake, and some limit the number of times you can retake it. Check your state's rules before you register.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

Yes, in most states you can notarize documents for family members. However, you cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it or if you are a party to the agreement. For example, you cannot notarize a deed if you are inheriting property from it, or a loan document if you are the lender. Check your state's handbook for specific rules about conflicts of interest.