Last updated: November 1, 2026 | Data sources: National Notary Association (NNA), State Secretary of State offices
How to Become a Notary Public: Overview
Becoming a notary public can add a credential to your career or start a side business. Each state sets its own requirements, so this guide points you to state figures wherever an official source gives them.
Some states require an exam, others don't. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Quick Facts: Becoming a Notary Public
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam Required? | Only in some states (see the state table below) |
| Education Required | Varies by state (see Step 2) |
| Minimum Age | 18 in most states |
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Step-by-Step: How to Become a Notary
Step 1: Meet Your State's Basic Requirements
While specific requirements vary, most states require:
- Age: At least 18 years old (19 in some states)
- Residency: Be a resident of the state OR have a place of business in the state
- Legal status: Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Background: No felony convictions (especially fraud, forgery, or dishonesty)
- Language: Ability to read and write in English
Step 2: Complete Required Education (If Applicable)
Some states require you to complete a notary education course before applying:
| State | Education Required | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| California | Yes — mandatory 6-hour course | 6 hours |
| Colorado | Yes — SOS-approved training | Not stated |
| Florida | Yes — approved 3-hour course | 3 hours |
| Missouri | Yes — SOS notary training course (online or written) | Not stated |
| Nevada | Yes — SOS training course and exam | Not stated |
| Ohio | Yes — 3-hour course for new notaries | 3 hours |
| Oregon | Yes — mandatory Basics training | Not stated |
| Pennsylvania | Yes — 3-hour course | 3 hours |
| Texas | Yes — SOS education course (applications on or after January 1, 2026) | Up to 2 hours |
| Georgia | Yes — training class (since January 1, 2025) | Not stated |
| Illinois | Yes — SOS-required course, with an exam | Not stated |
| Maryland | Yes — course of study and exam (since October 1, 2021) | Not stated |
| Montana | Yes — approved training | At least 4 hours |
| New Jersey | Yes — course of study (non-attorneys) | 6 hours |
| North Carolina | Yes — classroom course | At least 6 hours |
| Other states | Check your Secretary of State | — |
Step 3: Pass the Notary Exam (If Required)
Only certain states require you to pass a notary exam. States that require one include:
States requiring a notary exam:
- Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois (at the end of the required course), Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania (applicants without a current commission), Utah
- Texas has no separate exam, but applicants on or after January 1, 2026 must answer at least 70% of the questions presented during the Secretary of State education course
Exam details vary by state. For example, New York's exam is multiple choice with one hour allowed, Pennsylvania's has 30 questions (25 scored) and costs $65 per test, and Nebraska requires 85% (see the state table).
- Topics: Notarial acts, identification requirements, record keeping, conflict of interest, fraud prevention, state-specific laws
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Step 4: Submit Your Application
- Where to apply: Your state's Secretary of State office (or equivalent agency)
- Application fee: set by each state (see the Fee column in the state table)
- Required documents: Completed application, proof of education (if required), exam results (if required)
- Background check: Some states require fingerprinting and a background check
Step 5: Obtain a Surety Bond
Many states require notaries to purchase a surety bond. This is NOT insurance for you — it protects the public if you make an error or commit misconduct.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Required? | In many states (see the Bond column of the state table) |
| Bond amount | Varies by state (for example $15,000 in California, $50,000 for Louisiana non-attorney notaries, none in North Carolina) |
| Where to purchase | Insurance companies, NNA, online bond providers |
Example bond requirements:
- Texas: $10,000 bond
- California: $15,000 bond
- New York: No bond required
- Florida: $7,500 bond
- Ohio: No bond required
Step 6: Get Your Notary Stamp/Seal and Journal
- Notary stamp/seal: Rules vary by state; New York, for example, does not require a seal.
- Notary journal/record book: Required in some states (California requires a sequential journal); Michigan's law does not require one.
Step 7: Take the Oath of Office
Most states require you to take an oath of office, which may need to be:
- Filed with your county clerk
- Taken before another notary or authorized official
- Completed within a certain timeframe after receiving your commission
Step 8: File Your Commission
Once you have your commission certificate, bond, stamp, and oath on file, you're ready to start performing notarizations!
State-by-State Requirements: Major States
| State | Age | Exam? | Education? | Bond | Term | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 18 | Yes | 6-hour course | $15,000 | 4 years | $40 |
| Texas | 18 | Yes (SOS course assessment) | Up to 2 hours (applications on or after January 1, 2026) | $10,000 | 4 years | $21 |
| Florida | 18 | No | 3-hour course (first-time applicants) | $7,500 | 4 years | $39 ($25 + $10 commission fee + $4 surcharge) |
| New York | 18 | Yes | No | None | 4 years | $60 |
| Illinois | 18 | Yes (at the end of the required course) | SOS-required course of study | $5,000 ($30,000 for remote notarizations) | 4 years | $15 |
| Ohio | 18 | Yes (as of 2019) | 3-hour course | None | 5 years | $15 |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | Yes (no current commission) | 3-hour course | $25,000 | 4 years | $42 |
| Georgia | 18 | No | Training class (since January 1, 2025) | None | 4 years | $40-$55 (set by county) |
| Michigan | 18 | No | No | $10,000 | 6-7 years | $10 |
| North Carolina | 18 | Yes | 6-hour course | None | 5 years | $50 |
| Colorado | 18 | Yes | SOS-approved training | None | 4 years | $10 |
| New Jersey | 18 | Yes | 6-hour course (non-attorneys) | None listed | 5 years | $25 |
| Maryland | 18 | Yes (since October 1, 2021) | Course of study | — | 4 years | — |
| Virginia | 18 | No (required from July 1, 2027) | No (4-hour course from July 1, 2027) | None | 4 years | $45 |
| Minnesota | 18 | No | No | — | 5 years (ends January 31) | $120 (plus $20 county recording) |
| Missouri | 18 | Scored training course (six or fewer wrong) | Required SOS training course | $10,000 | 4 years | $25 |
| Oregon | 18 | Yes | Basics training | None | 4 years | $40 |
| Connecticut | 18 | Yes (100% required) | No | None | 5 years | $120 |
| Nevada | 18 | Yes (80% after the SOS course) | SOS training course | $10,000 | 4 years | $35 |
| Louisiana | 18 | Yes | HS diploma (no course required) | $50,000 (non-attorneys) | Life | $35 |
| Kentucky | 18 | No | No | $1,000 | 4 years | $10 |
| Hawaii | 18 | Yes | No | $1,000 | 4 years | $120 ($20 application + $100 commission), plus $10 per exam |
| Iowa | 18 | No | No | None | 3 years | $30 |
| Nebraska | 19 | Yes (85% to pass) | No | $15,000 | 4 years | $30 |
| Utah | 18 | Yes (online) | No | $5,000 | 4 years | $95 ($55 administration + $40 test) |
| Maine | 18 | Yes (in the application) | No | None | 7 years | $50 |
| Montana | 18 | Yes | 4-hour course | $25,000 | 4 years | $25 |
| Arizona | 18 | Yes (since July 1, 2025) | No | $5,000 | 4 years | $43 ($25 application + $18 bond filing) |
Costs to Become a Notary
Costs depend on your state: the application fee, any course and exam fees, a bond where required, and supplies. Examples from official sources: New York charges a $60 application fee and a $15 exam fee; Pennsylvania charges a $42 application fee and $65 per exam attempt; Utah charges $95 after the test (a $55 administration fee and a $40 test fee); Maine charges $50.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote Online Notarization allows notaries to perform notarizations via secure video conference rather than in person.
RON Availability
RON availability depends on the notary's state. California's Online Notarization Act (SB 696) takes effect when the Secretary of State completes its technology project or by January 1, 2030, whichever is earlier, and North Carolina's remote acts await the Secretary's first platform license.
RON Requirements (Typical)
- Must hold a current traditional notary commission
- Complete additional RON-specific education/training
- Register with your state as a RON notary
- Use an approved RON technology platform (e.g., Notarize, OneNotary, Nexsys)
- Identity verification through knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
- Audio-video recording of all sessions
Notary Signing Agent
A Notary Signing Agent (NSA) is a notary who specializes in handling loan document signings for real estate transactions.
How to Become a Notary Signing Agent
- First become a notary public in your state
- Complete NSA training (recommended: NNA Signing Agent Certification or similar)
- Pass a background check (required by signing services and title companies)
- Get Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance
- Register with signing services (SigningOrder, Notary Rotary, SnapDocs, etc.)
Renewing Your Notary Commission
Notary commissions are not permanent — they expire and must be renewed:
- Commission terms: set by each state (see the Term column in the state table)
- Renewal process: Similar to initial application (updated education, exam, bond)
- Start early: begin well before your commission expires
- Fees: Similar to initial application fees
Tips for Success as a Notary
- Market yourself — Tell everyone you know. Business cards, social media, and Google Business Profile are essential
- Specialize — Some notaries add loan signing agent work
- Get E&O insurance — Protects you from claims of errors or omissions
- Keep meticulous records — A journal protects you legally and professionally
- Know your state laws — Violations can result in commission revocation and legal liability
- Consider mobile notary services — Travel to clients for an additional fee
- Explore RON — where your state authorizes it
E&O Insurance: Do You Need It?
E&O (Errors & Omissions) insurance is generally optional for traditional notaries, but some states require it for online notaries (Florida requires $25,000 of coverage for online notaries). Some title companies and signing services also ask for it.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Required by law? | Generally no for traditional notaries; Florida requires $25,000 for online notaries |
| What it covers | Protects YOU from claims of errors, omissions, or negligence |
Important distinction: E&O insurance protects you. Your surety bond protects the public. They serve different purposes — you may need both.
Start Your Notary Career Today
Your commission starts with your state's requirements.
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Whether you want a side hustle or a signing agent career, it starts with your notary commission. Start Your FREE Notary Exam Prep --> — No credit card, no catch.
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