How to Become a Notary Public: A State-by-State Overview

Becoming a notary public is one of the more accessible professional credentials to earn — no degree is required, and in most states you can be commissioned within a few weeks. But because notaries are commissioned at the state level, the exact requirements, costs, and process differ from state to state. Here's the general path most states follow.

The General Path to Becoming a Notary

Despite the state-by-state differences, becoming a notary almost always follows the same broad sequence: confirm you're eligible, complete any required education or exam, submit an application and fee, secure a surety bond, and get your official seal and supplies before your commission takes effect.

Step 1: Check Your State's Eligibility Requirements

Most states require that applicants be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident of (or employed in) the state, be able to read and write English, and have no disqualifying criminal convictions. Some states also require residency for a minimum period. Your state's Secretary of State (or equivalent commissioning authority) website is the authoritative source for the exact list.

Step 2: Complete Training or Pass an Exam (If Required)

A handful of states require completing a state-approved training course, passing a written exam, or both, before you can apply. Many other states have no education or testing requirement at all beyond the application itself. Either way, even where it's not required, a short notary training course is worth taking — it covers the notarial acts, common mistakes, and liability issues that come up in practice.

Step 3: Submit Your Application and Pay the Fee

Applications are typically submitted to the Secretary of State (or a similarly named state agency) along with a filing fee. Processing times vary from a couple of weeks to a couple of months depending on the state and time of year.

Step 4: Get a Surety Bond and E&O Insurance

Most states require a surety bond — typically in the $5,000–$25,000 range — which protects the public (not the notary) if the notary makes an error that causes financial harm. A bond is not the same as insurance. Many notaries separately choose to carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, which does protect the notary personally against claims — optional in most states, but a common addition, especially for notaries who plan to handle loan signings.

Step 5: Purchase Your Notary Seal and Supplies

Once commissioned, you'll need an official notary seal or stamp meeting your state's specifications, along with a notary journal for logging each notarization (required in some states, recommended in all). Some states also require registering your seal's imprint with a local county clerk.

Step 6: Get Commissioned and Start Practicing

After your application, bond, and any exam requirements are satisfied, the state issues your official commission — the document that legally authorizes you to perform notarial acts within that state, for a set term (commonly around four years, though this varies by state). From there, you can notarize as an employee benefit at your workplace, offer mobile notary services that travel to clients, or pursue additional credentials like Certified Signing Agent for loan document work.

How Long Does It Take and What Does It Cost?

Most people go from starting an application to holding an active commission in four to twelve weeks, depending on processing times and whether a course or exam is required. All-in costs — application fee, bond premium, seal, and journal — commonly land somewhere between $50 and $200, before factoring in any required training course.

List Your Notary Business Once You're Commissioned

Once your commission is active, getting in front of people who actually need a notary is the next step. You can list your notary business on NotaryOfficial.com to appear in local search results alongside other commissioned notaries in your area.