Notary Public &
get RON Certified

Notaries in the State of Alabama are appointed and commissioned by the probate judges of the various counties. In accordance with AL Code Section 36-20-70, the probate judge reports to the Secretary of State the name, county of residence, date of issuance and date of expiration of the commission of each notary appointed and commissioned under applicable law.

To become a notary, individuals must meet all of their states’ qualifications, submit an application and qualify for a $25,000 bond. Each probate judge sets application rules and procedures to go along with this process set by state law. For information on being appointed a notary public, please contact the probate judge for your county.

Applicants must be 18 years of age and residents of Alaska who are legally in the United States. Applicants may not within 10 years before the commission takes effect have been convicted of a felony or incarcerated for a felony conviction.

If you have ever had a Notary commission revoked or have been disciplined for Notarial misconduct in Alaska or any other jurisdiction please contact the office to discuss before submitting your application.

To be commissioned by the Secretary of State, the following requirements must be met, per Arizona Revised Statute § 41-312(E)(link is external):

• Be an Arizona resident.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be able to read and write English.
• Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
• Not have a conviction for a felony unless civil rights have been restored, or a conviction of a lesser offense involving moral turpitude or of a nature that is incompatible with the duties of a notary public.

The Business and Commercial (BCS) Services Division of the Secretary of State records and certifies Notaries Public for the State of Arkansas. A Notary Public verifies the identity of an individual who appears before them. The Notary acts as an official and unbiased witness to the identity of a person whether the person is taking an oath, giving oral or written testimony, or acknowledging his/her signature on a legal document.

To apply for (register) or renew a notary commission or to change (amend) your address, name, or email, you will log into your user account (or create a new user account). For step-by-step instructions, refer to pages 1-7 in the Notary Handbook. 

To become a notary public, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• be 18 years of age or older (there is no maximum age set by statute)
• be a legal California resident
• complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State
• satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State
• clear a background check

Click here for the full instructions and application.

The Office of the Secretary of the State, Business Services Division, licenses all notaries public in the state. The fee for a new notary commission is $120 and the fee to renew a notary commission is $60.  Notary commissions are valid for five years. 

Every notary applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be of good character and reputation – Individuals convicted of a felony who have not had their rights restored as well as applicants convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude are not eligible for a Delaware notary commission.
• Must have a reasonable need for a notary commission
• Must have a legal residence with a street address in Delaware OR maintain an office or regular place of employment within the State of Delaware. NOTE: Notaries are NOT permitted to notarize outside of the boundaries of the State of Delaware. In order to qualify, non-resident notaries must demonstrate they would regularly conduct notarial acts in the State of Delaware and provide a valid Delaware business address for the employer or company where service of legal process would be accepted. Use of a post office box, virtual office space, or a registered agent does NOT qualify.

1. Take the notary education course.
2. Contact a bonding agency. 
3. Complete the application.
4. Submit the application through your bonding agency.

Georgia notaries public are commissioned for four-year terms by the Clerk of Superior Court in their county of residence (with a neighboring-state resident exception, see Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions).

The fee for a new notary appointment or for reappointment is $36.00 – $51.00. Please check with the county in which you are applying for the exact fee.

Important Notes:

• If you are a legal resident of the State of Georgia, you may only apply in your county of residence. (You may notarize documents in any county within Georgia.)

• If you are a legal resident of a state bordering on the State of Georgia, and are regularly employed or carry on a business or profession in Georgia, you may only apply in the county of employment. (You may notarize documents in any county within Georgia.)

You must:
1) Complete and submit an online application (make sure to have two letters, one justification and one character; with $20.00 application fee payment as required by § 5-11-46, Hawaii Administrative Rules, amended March 12, 2015.
2) have your application approved;
3) pass a written examination;
4) provide a $1,000 surety bond to the satisfaction of the State; and
5) pay all applicable fees.

Click here to learn more about becoming an Idaho Notary.

Click here to learn more about becoming an Illinois Public Notary. 

To become a notary, an individual must meet the following requirements:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age
2. Be a legal resident of the State of Indiana or primarily employed in Indiana
3. Not be disqualified to receive a commission under IC 33-4-13 and IC 5-8-3-1
   IC 33-4-13: Have a conviction or civil ruling involving deceit, dishonesty or fraud
   IC 5-8-3-1: Have a conviction where the sentence imposed exceeded six (6) months

To become an Iowa notary, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a resident of Iowa or work in Iowa and live in a bordering state
• Not have a serious criminal history

To be eligible to be a notary in Kansas, state law requires that a person must be:

• At least 18 years of age.
• A Kansas legal resident, or a resident of a bordering state, who regularly carries on a business or profession in Kansas or who is regularly employed in Kansas.

Click here to learn more about becomming a Kentucky Notary Public.

To become an applicant, you are required to complete an Application to Qualify. To qualify, you must: 

• be registered to vote in the parish in which you seek commission;
• be a resident citizen or alien of this state;
• not have been convicted of a felony and not been pardoned; 
• be able to read, write, speak and be sufficiently knowledgeable of the English language;
• be 18 years of age or older; and
• hold a high school diploma, a diploma for completion of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or a high school equivalency diploma issued after successfully completing the test of General Educational Development.

A Notary Public must be a resident of the State of Maine who is at least 18 years of age and can
demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The applicant must then be recommended for
the commission by a registered Maine voter who can attest to the applicant’s ability to perform the
duties required of a Notary Public. The Municipal Clerk or Registrar of Voters of the applicant’s
municipality must also verify the applicant’s residency by signing and sealing the application form.
If the applicant has been convicted of a crime for which imprisonment may be a penalty, the
applicant is ineligible for appointment for the following reasons: awaiting sentencing, free pending
the appeal of the conviction, incarcerated or under probation or parole. Conviction of certain
crimes involving dishonesty renders a person ineligible for 10 years following release, the
termination of probation or if the applicant was not incarcerated, after the date of the conviction.
Additionally, if the applicant has been or is now currently a Notary Public in another state or
jurisdiction and the applicant’s commission has been suspended or revoked for official misconduct
during the 5 year period preceding the date of application, the applicant is not eligible for
appointment.

To be appointed as a notary public, an individual must:

1. be at least 18 years old;
2. be of good moral character and integrity;
3. be a resident of the state; or have a place of employment or practice in the State;
4. if living in the State, must be appointed by the senator representing the district in which you live; and if living outside the State, be a resident of a state that allows Maryland residents working in that state to serve as notaries public in that state; and
5. effective October 1, 2021: all new notary applicants, must complete a Course of Study and pass an examination; all renewal applicants, must complete a Course of Study and pass an examination.

Click here to learn more about becomming a Massachusetts Notary Public. 

To meet the qualifications of a Michigan Notary Public, all the following must be met by the applicant.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Michigan resident or maintain a place of business in Michigan
• Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence
• Be a resident of the county in which you request appointment (if you do not reside in Michigan, maintain a principal place of business in the county you request appointment)
• Read and write in the English language
• Be free of any felony convictions within the past 10 years (if previously convicted of a felony, the 10-year period includes completion of the sentence for that crime, any term of imprisonment, parole, or probation, and payment of all fines, costs, and assessments)
• Have not been convicted of 2 or more misdemeanor offenses involving a violation of the Michigan Notary Public Act within a 12-month period while commissioned, or 3 or more misdemeanor offenses involving a violation of this Act within a 5-year period regardless of being commissioned
• Have filed with the appropriate county clerk a proper surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and taken the oath of office as prescribed by the State Constitution (Michigan licensed attorneys are exempt
• Sign a declaration that all information on your application for Michigan Notary Public Commission is correct, that you have read the Michigan Notary Public Act, and that you will perform all notarial acts faithfully
• Are not currently serving a term of imprisonment in any state, county or federal correctional facility is prohibited from being appointed or serving as a notary public

To obtain a New Commission, the applicant must:

• Not have held a previous commission that has expired
• Complete and mail the Notary Application
• Include a $120 non-refundable fee
• Pay by check or money order made payable to the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE 
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be either a Minnesota resident or a resident of a county in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin and list the Minnesota County he or she will be filing in upon receiving their commission.

You must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Mississippi resident for more than 30 days.
• File an application​​ with the Secretary of State.
• Pay a $25 application fee.
• File a $5,000 Surety Bond and the Oath of Office with the Secretary of State.
• Obtain an official seal or stamp to affix to documents.
• Comply with the statutes governing Mississippi Notary Acts, including but not limited to, maintaining a registry of all documents signed.

To qualify for a notary commission as a Missouri resident, an applicant must meet certain legal qualifications:

1. Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. Reside or have a regular place of work or business in the state of Missouri;
3. Reside legally in the United States
4. Be able to read and write the English language; and
5. Not have had his commission revoked during the past five years
6. Not been found guilty, or entered a pleas of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, of any felony or any offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude during the past five years

A non-resident of Missouri may apply for a commission as a notary public. A non-resident must also meet certain legal requirements in order to qualify:

1. Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. Work in Missouri and will use the notary seal in the course of his employment in Missouri;
3. Have a work address in the county within and for which applying to be commissioned;
4. Be able to read and write the English language;
5. Not have had a commission revoked in any state during the past five years
6. Not been found guilty, or entered a pleas of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, of any felony or any offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude during the past five years; and
7. Authorizes the Secretary of State as the agent and representative of such person to accept service of any process or service of any notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon such person.

To become a Montana Notary Public, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;
• Be a resident of Montana; or
  • be the spouse or legal dependent of military personnel assigned to active duty in this state;
  • maintain a place of business in the state of Montana that is registered pursuant to Title 35 and meet any applicable business licensing requirements of the local government where the business is located;
  • be regularly employed at an office, business, or facility located within the state of Montana by an employer registered and licensed to do business in this state; or
  • hold a current professional license to practice the profession in Montana issued by an appropriate Montana authority; and
• Be able to read and write English.

To be eligible for a new or renewed commission, an applicant must meet the education requirements and pass an examination as provided in 1-5-620, MCA, and may not have been disqualified as provided in 1-5-621, MCA.

Click here to learn more about becomming a Nebraska Notary Public.

Click here to learn more about becomming a Nevada Notary Public. 

REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION

• Every person applying to become a notary public must be a resident of New Hampshire (see new reciprocity law below).
• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• The applicant must sign a written statement under oath as to whether he/she has ever been convicted of a crime that has not been annulled by a court, other than minor traffic violations.
• Two notaries public and one registered voter of New Hampshire must endorse the application for appointment.
• The applicant must complete a Criminal Record Release Authorization Form.
  The fee is $75 for a 5-year commission.

PREREQUISITES FOR A NOTARY PUBLIC COMMISSION
 A Notary Public must be a resident of New Jersey or a resident of an adjoining state who maintains, or
is regularly employed in an office in New Jersey; and
 A Notary Public must be 18 years or older; and
 A Notary Public may not have been convicted of a crime under the laws of any State or the Federal
Government, for an offense involving dishonesty, or a crime of the first or second degree.

A person applying to be a Notary Public must:

1. Be a resident of New Mexico;
2. Be at least 18 years of age;
3. Be able to read and write the English language;
4. Not have plead guilty or nolo contendre to a felony or been convicted of a felony; and
5. Not have had a Notary Public commission revoked during the past five years.

Click here to learn more about becomming a New York Notary Public.

Click here to learn more about becomming a North Carolina Notary Public.

Qualifications to be Commissioned as a Notary Public

• At least 18 years of age.
• A citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States.
• Residency/Employment:
  • Resident of North Dakota;
  • Have a place of employment or practice in North Dakota; or
  • Reside in a county that borders North Dakota and which is in a state that extends reciprocity to a notary public who resides in a border county of North Dakota.
• Able to read and write in English.

An Ohio resident or a nonresident attorney who is licensed to practice law in Ohio and has a principal office in Ohio, who is at least 18 years old may apply to be commissioned as a notary public.

Click here to learn more about becomming an Oklahoma Notary Public.

To be a notary public in Oregon, you must meet certain qualifications at the time of application:​

• 18 years of age or older.
• Resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in this state.
• Able to read and write English.
• Never had a notary public commission revoked during the 10-year period preceding the application date.
• Completed a notary training course within the last 6 months.
• Note: Not required of current Oregon notaries with an active commission at the time the new application is received in our office.
• Never convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit during the 10-year period preceding the application date.
• Passed the Secretary of State’s Notary Public examination​.
• Not have been convicted of:
• Acting as or otherwise impersonating a notary public as described in ORS 194.990;
• Obstructing governmental or judicial administration under ORS 162.235 (1)(b); or
• Engaging in the unlawful practice of law as described in ORS 9.160.
• Not have been found by a court to have:
• Practiced law without a license in a suit under ORS 9.166; or
• ​Engaged in an unlawful trade practice described in ORS 646.608 (1)(vvv)​.

An applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements for appointment as a notary public:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States
• Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in this Commonwealth
• Be able to read and write English
• Not be disqualified to receive a commission because of character, criminal convictions or prior sanctions
• Education – All applicants for both initial appointment and reappointment as a notary public must complete at least three hours of approved notary education within the six months immediately preceding the application for appointment or reappointment
• Examination – All applicants for a commission as a notary public who do not hold a current and unexpired commission in this Commonwealth must pass an examination administered by the Department’s examination vendor Pearson VUE

Requirements:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;
• Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in this state;
• Be able to read and write English;
• Not be disqualified to receive a commission under §42-30.1-16; and
• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the powers and duties pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.

Click here to learn more about becomming a South Carolina Notary Public.

1. Complete the Online South Dakota Notary Training Course
2. Purchase a notary seal from Notary.netYou may purchase an embossing seal or a rubber stamp. The seal must contain your “name”, the words “Notary Public,” and “South Dakota”. If a rubber stamp is used the word “Seal” must be included and a border must surround the imprint of the seal. Once you have purchased a notary seal, make an imprint in the square box in the upper left hand corner of the application.
3. Complete the oath and bond portions with your signature and the surety signature. The $5000 bond can be purchased from a local insurance company and you will pay the insurance company a premium for the six-year bond. If you do not want to purchase a notary bond, you may have a personal surety. To use a personal surety, omit the bond portion on the front page of the application and complete the backside. A personal surety can be a friend, relative, spouse or co-worker whom will sign on their own behalf and be liable for your $5000 bond if you perform any unlawful acts with your notary commission. A personal surety cannot be a company, business or organization and a personal surety cannot have his/her name removed for any reason.
4. Each application must be approved by the Office of the Attorney General before the commission may be issued.
5. Enclose a $30 filing fee, Make checks payable to Secretary of State.
6. Complete the previous notary commission question, date of birth and felony conviction question.
7. List a South Dakota address and South Dakota County on the application.
8. All applications received without the above requirements will be returned to the applicant’s address on the application. Failure to complete the application fully will result in denial of a Notary Public commission.
9. A renewal requires the same procedure as an original application.
10. Only after you have received a Notary Commission Certificate issued by the Secretary of State, are you authorized to notarize documents. Also with the Notary Commission you will receive a Notary Public handbook for your reference.

Click here to learn more about becomming a Tennessee Notary Public.

Click here to learn more about becomming a Texas Notary Public.

To become a Notary Public in the State of Utah, you must meet all of the following qualifications:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a U.S citizen or have permanent resident status under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Lawfully reside in this state 30 days immediately preceding the filing for notarial commission and maintain permanent residency thereafter.
• Be able to read, write, and understand English.
• Pay for and pass the online exam.
• Submit to the mandatory background check.
• Upload a copy of your notarial bond and Oath of Office to the Lieutenant Governor’s office containing no significant misstatement or omission of facts.

Click here to find out more about becomming a Vermont Notary Public. 

Click here to learn more about becomming a Virginia Notary Public.

Requirements

You must be:

• At least 18 years old
• Able to read and write English
• A citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States
• Live in Washington State, or have a place of employment or practice in Washington

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for appointment as a notary public in West Virginia require a person must:

• Be at least 18 years old;

• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;

• Be a resident of West Virginia, or a resident of another state who works at an office address within West Virginia;

• Be able to read and write English;

• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;

• Not be disqualified to receive a commission pursuant to West Virginia Code §39-4-21

Any United States resident 18 years of age or older who has at least the equivalent of an eighth grade education, has passed the notary exam with 90% or better within one year of applying, and has demonstrated adherence to laws according to the Wisconsin Statutes with regard to arrests and convictions, is eligible to apply for a Wisconsin Notary Public Commission.

Click here to find out more about becomming a Wyoming Notary Public.

Click here to find out more about becomming a District of Columbia Notary Public.