How to Become a Notary Public in South Carolina
South Carolina does not require an exam, education, or surety bond to become a notary public. The state has one of the longest commission terms in the nation at 10 years. Applications are submitted to the South Carolina Secretary of State and must be enrolled with your county Clerk of Court.
South Carolina Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years (must be registered voter) |
| Residency | South Carolina resident (registered voter) |
| Exam Required | No |
| Education Required | No |
| Surety Bond | Not required |
| Commission Term | 10 years |
| Application Fee | $25 + $10 county enrollment |
Why Become a South Carolina Notary?
- No exam or education required - Simplest application process
- No bond required - Lower upfront costs
- 10-year commission - Longest term in the nation
- Low fees - Only $35 total to get commissioned
- Statewide commission - Serve clients across all 46 South Carolina counties
- Growing demand - Real estate, legal, and business needs
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Step-by-Step: How to Become a South Carolina Notary
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To become a South Carolina notary public, you must:
- Be a registered voter in South Carolina (this implies you are at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and a SC resident)
- Be able to read and write English
- Submit a complete and truthful application with no significant misstatements or omissions
Important: Non-residents cannot be commissioned as South Carolina notaries. You must be a registered voter in the state.
Step 2: Complete the Notary Application
Obtain and complete the application from the South Carolina Secretary of State:
- Download the application from sos.sc.gov or request by mail
- Complete all required fields accurately
- Have your application notarized by a currently commissioned South Carolina notary public
Step 3: Submit Application to Secretary of State
Mail or deliver your application to:
South Carolina Secretary of State Notary Public Section 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525 Columbia, SC 29201
Include:
- Completed, notarized application
- $25 application fee (check or money order)
Step 4: Receive Your Commission
Once approved:
- You'll receive your Notary Commission Certificate from the Secretary of State
- Your commission is valid for 10 years
Step 5: Enroll with County Clerk of Court
Important: You must enroll your commission with your county Clerk of Court before performing notarial acts.
- Take your commission certificate to the Clerk of Court in your county of residence
- Pay the $10 enrollment fee
- Take your Oath of Office
- Your enrollment is recorded in the county records
Step 6: Purchase Notary Supplies
After enrolling, purchase required supplies:
Official Notary Seal (Required):
- South Carolina requires a seal of office
- Must include: Your name, "Notary Public," "State of South Carolina," and commission expiration date
- Can be rubber ink stamp or embossing seal
- Cost: $20-$50
Alternative: If you don't have a seal, you can still notarize by writing your official title below your signature (e.g., "Notary Public, South Carolina" or "South Carolina Notary Public")
Notary Journal (Recommended but not required):
- Not legally required for traditional notarizations
- Strongly encouraged for record-keeping
- Protects you if notarizations are questioned
- Cost: $15-$30
South Carolina Notary Fees
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Any notarial act | $5 |
| Travel fees | Not regulated |
Important Notes:
- Maximum fee is $5 per notarial act
- If you charge fees, you must post a conspicuous fee schedule
- Travel fees are by separate agreement and not regulated
- You may perform notarial acts for free
South Carolina-Specific Requirements
Seal Requirements
Your notary seal must include:
- Your name as commissioned
- "Notary Public"
- "State of South Carolina"
- Your commission expiration date
Important: The seal is technically required, but South Carolina law allows notarizations without a seal if your official title appears below your signature.
Certificate Requirements
Every notarial certificate must include:
- Your signature
- Your official title (Notary Public, South Carolina)
- Your commission expiration date
- Venue (state and county where notarization occurred)
Record Keeping
South Carolina does not require notaries to keep journals. However, maintaining a journal is strongly encouraged because:
- It provides evidence of proper procedures
- It can protect you from liability claims
- It helps track your notarial activity
Recommended journal entries:
- Date and time of notarization
- Type of notarial act performed
- Document type and description
- Signer's name and identification method
- Fee charged (if any)
- Your signature
Seal Security
You are responsible for the security of your notary seal:
- Store it in a secure location
- Never let others use your seal
- Must destroy or deface your seal when your commission ends
- Report lost or stolen seals immediately
Electronic Notarization in South Carolina
In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN)
South Carolina's 2021 Electronic Notary Public Act allows commissioned notaries to register as electronic notaries:
- What it is: Notarize electronic documents using an e-seal and digital signature
- Physical presence still required: The signer must appear in person before the notary
- Not RON: This is NOT remote online notarization
Becoming an Electronic Notary
To register as an electronic notary:
- Hold a valid South Carolina notary commission
- Apply through the SOS Online Notary Registration Portal
- Watch the required educational video
- Pass the online test
- Select an approved technology vendor
- Pay the $50 registration fee
Electronic Notary Requirements
- Maintain an electronic journal of notarial acts
- Use approved technology and electronic seals
- Comply with all electronic notarization standards
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Important: As of 2026, South Carolina does NOT authorize Remote Online Notarization where the signer appears via webcam/audio-visual technology. All notarizations require the signer's physical presence before the notary.
The Secretary of State has explicitly stated that remote notarization is not legalized in South Carolina.
Total Cost to Become a South Carolina Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (SOS) | $25 |
| County Enrollment Fee | $10 |
| Notarial Fee (application notarization) | ~$5 |
| Surety Bond | Not required |
| Notary Seal | $20-$50 |
| Journal (optional) | $15-$30 |
| Total Estimated | $75-$120 |
Electronic Notary (optional): Add $50 registration fee
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete application | 1 day |
| Submit to Secretary of State | 1 day |
| Processing time | 2-4 weeks |
| County enrollment | 1 day |
| Total | 2-4 weeks |
South Carolina Notary Renewal
Renewal Process
With a 10-year commission term, renewals are infrequent:
- Renewal fee: $25 (same as new application)
- County re-enrollment: $10 fee
- New oath required: Yes
Tips for Renewal
- Apply before your current commission expires
- Update your notary seal with new expiration date (10 years out)
- Re-enroll with your county Clerk of Court
- Notify regular clients of your new commission dates
Start Your South Carolina Notary Career Today
South Carolina offers one of the easiest and most affordable paths to becoming a notary public. With no exam, no education, no bond requirement, and a 10-year commission term, you can be commissioned for under $100.