How to Get a Notary License: Step by Step
Getting a notary commission comes down to seven steps: confirm eligibility, take training if your state requires it, pass the exam if it requires one, buy a surety bond where mandated, apply, collect your commission and supplies, and file with your county where that applies. Total cost runs $50 to $300 and total time one week to three months depending on the state. This guide walks each step with the state-by-state variations that matter.
A notary commission is not one business. It’s five.
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Step 1: Check Eligibility
Most states require you to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a legal resident of the state (or work/practice there: check your state)
- Not have any felony convictions (some states also disqualify for certain misdemeanors)
- Be able to read and write English
Step 2: Complete Training (If Required)
About half of states require some form of notary education before you can apply. Requirements range from a free online course (like Colorado’s) to a 6-hour classroom course (like California’s). Some states require you to pass an exam after the training.
States that require training include: CA, CO, FL, MT, NC, OH, OR, PA, and others. Two commonly mislisted states: Missouri requires state training and an exam, with 80 percent needed to pass, and Nebraska requires an exam but no course. Check your state’s Secretary of State website for the current requirement.
Step 3: Pass the Exam (If Required)
Several states require a notary exam. The format varies:
- California: 45-question multiple-choice, proctored, 70% to pass
- Colorado: Free online open-book exam
- New York: Written exam administered by the NYS Department of State ($15 exam, $60 application); county clerks handle only the oath and commission paperwork
- North Carolina: 50-question exam, 80% to pass
- Pennsylvania: Exam for first-time applicants, after the 3-hour course
Step 4: Obtain a Surety Bond (If Required)
Most states require a surety bond to protect the public from notary misconduct. Bond amounts range from $500 (Wisconsin) to $50,000 (Louisiana). You purchase the bond from an insurance company or bonding agency, typically for $50 to $200 per term depending on the amount; our bond cost by state table has the numbers.
States that do not require a bond include: CO, CT, GA, MA, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, RI, and VT. Five states often mislisted as bond-free do require one: Arizona ($5,000), Hawaii ($1,000), Michigan ($10,000), Texas ($10,000), and Wisconsin ($500).
Step 5: Submit Your Application
- Apply through your state’s Secretary of State website (most states have online applications)
- Pay the application fee (typically $10-$120; the state-by-state total is in our cost breakdown)
- Include proof of training, exam results, and bond (if required)
- Some states require a background check
Step 6: Receive Your Commission and Supplies
- Once approved, you receive your commission certificate
- Order your notary seal/stamp (some states send it with your commission, others require you to order it)
- Get a notary journal (required for all notarizations in 22 states plus DC, and for electronic or remote acts in roughly 15 more)
- Consider E&O insurance, not required in most states, but protects you from liability
Step 7: File Your Commission (If Required)
Some states require you to file your commission with your county clerk’s office before you can start notarizing. Others require you to take an oath of office. Check your state’s requirements.
Timeline to Commission
- Fast states (no training, no exam): 1–4 weeks from application to commission
- Training/exam states: 4–8 weeks total (including course time)
- California: Allow 6–12 weeks (exam + Live Scan background check + commission processing)
Commission Term and Renewal
Notary commissions typically last 4 years, with terms ranging from 3 years (Iowa) to 10 years (South Carolina); Virginia commissions also run 4 years. Renewal usually requires a new application and fee. Some states require refresher training for renewal.
Every state varies on training, exams, bonds, and fees, and the details are where accuracy pays. Our 50-state guide to becoming a notary is the hub, with a dedicated page per state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a notary license?
Typically $50 to $300 all in: application fee, training or exam where required, bond, and supplies. California sits at the high end ($200-$300); states with no training, exam, or bond can come in under $100.
Do I need a law degree to be a notary?
No. Notaries are not lawyers, and no legal education is required. You meet your state’s eligibility rules, complete any required training, and follow the notary law you swore to uphold.
Can I be a notary in multiple states?
Generally no: you notarize under the commission of the state where you are commissioned. Some states commission non-residents who work there, and a few have reciprocity arrangements. See our multi-state notary guide.
How long is a notary commission valid?
Usually 4 years. Terms run from 2 (Vermont) and 3 years (Iowa) up to 10 (South Carolina), with a few outliers like Maine’s 7-year term.
Do I need insurance as a notary?
Almost no state requires it, but errors and omissions coverage is cheap protection at $30 to $100 a year, and it is the only coverage that pays your defense when a notarial mistake draws a claim.
