Can You Be a Notary in Multiple States?
Published February 19, 2023 · Updated May 26, 2026
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Yes. You can hold notary commissions in more than one state at the same time. There is no federal law preventing it. Each commission is separate, and you must meet the requirements of each state independently.
But there are important restrictions to understand, and the process isn’t as simple as filling out one form. Here’s what you need to know.
How Dual Commissions Work
Each state sets its own notary commission requirements. To hold commissions in two states, you apply separately in each one. That means separate applications, separate fees, and separate background checks or exams if the state requires them.
The key eligibility question is whether each state allows you to apply. Most states require you to be a resident, or to live or work within the state. A few states allow non-residents to apply under certain conditions:
- New York allows non-residents who have an office or place of business in the state to apply for a commission (N.Y. Exec. Law § 130). A New Jersey resident with an office in Manhattan, for example, can hold commissions in both states.
- Virginia allows notaries to perform notarizations outside the state if the document will be used in Virginia or by the U.S. government (COV 47.1-13[B]).
- Kentucky offers a Special Commission that authorizes notarizations inside or outside the state, provided the document will be recorded in Kentucky (KRS 423.110[6]). Special Commission Notaries can be non-residents.
- Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming have reciprocal agreements allowing their notaries to perform notarial acts across their shared borders under specific conditions.
If you don’t live or work in a state, you generally cannot get a commission there. Check with the Secretary of State’s office in both your home state and the state where you want a second commission.
Commissions Don’t Transfer
Notary commissions are not transferable between states. If you move from Texas to Florida, you cannot take your Texas commission with you. You have to resign your Texas commission and apply fresh in Florida.
However, if you move to a neighboring state and still work in your original state, you may be able to keep both commissions, as long as both states’ eligibility rules allow it.
Your Jurisdiction Is Limited to Each State’s Borders
A notary commission only authorizes you to notarize within the borders of that state (with the specific exceptions listed above). Your California commission doesn’t give you authority to notarize in Arizona, even if a signer hands you an Arizona document while you’re standing in San Diego.
You must also use the correct notary seal for the state where the notarization takes place. Using your Florida stamp on a document while physically in Georgia would make that notarization invalid.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) Adds Complexity
Many states now allow Remote Online Notarization, where the signer appears before the notary via audiovisual technology rather than in person. With RON, the signer can be located in a different state or even a different country.
But here’s the critical rule: the notary must always be physically present in the commissioning state when performing a RON. A Texas notary performing a remote notarization must be physically sitting in Texas, not in Oklahoma, even if the signer is.
If you hold RON commissions in multiple states, you’d need to be in the correct state when performing each remote notarization.
Practical Considerations
Keeping track of different laws
Each state has its own notary laws, and they differ more than you might expect. One state might allow you to notarize for a family member while another prohibits it. Fee caps vary. Journal requirements vary. Acceptable forms of ID vary. You are responsible for following the laws of the state where the notarization takes place.
Renewal dates don’t sync
Commission terms range from 3 years (Iowa) to 10 years (South Carolina). Your two commissions will almost certainly expire at different times, requiring separate renewal processes, fees, and possibly continuing education.
E&O insurance may not cover both
Errors and omissions insurance policies typically cover only one notary commission. If you hold two commissions, you may need two E&O policies. This gets expensive fast, especially for signing agents who carry high coverage limits.
Signing agents benefit most
Notary signing agents who live near a state border often find dual commissions worth the extra cost. Being able to handle loan signings on both sides of the state line opens up significantly more work. If you’re a general notary who only notarizes occasionally, the added expense and administrative burden may not be worth it.
How to Get a Second Notary Commission
If you’ve decided to pursue a dual commission:
- Check eligibility in the second state: do they accept non-resident applicants, or do you need to live or work there?
- Review the specific requirements: exam, training course, background check, bond amount
- Submit the application to that state’s Secretary of State (or equivalent office)
- Pay the required fees
- Receive your commission and purchase the correct supplies (seal, journal) for that state
Each step is separate from your existing commission. You’re not transferring anything: you’re applying fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I notarize a document from another state?
Yes. What matters is where the notarization takes place, not where the document originated or where it will be filed. If you’re physically in your commissioning state, you can notarize any document that your state’s laws allow, regardless of where it came from.
Can I use my notary stamp from one state in another state?
No. Your notary seal is only valid within the state that issued your commission. Using it in another state would make the notarization invalid and could expose you to legal liability.
Do I need separate E&O insurance for each state?
In most cases, yes. E&O policies typically cover a single commission. Check with your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy covers multiple commissions.
What happens to my notary commission if I move to another state?
You generally cannot transfer a commission. You’ll need to resign your current commission and apply for a new one in your new state. Some states void your commission automatically when you move out of state.
Can a signing agent work in multiple states?
Yes, if you hold valid notary commissions in each state where you perform notarizations. Signing agents who live near state borders often find this worthwhile for accessing more loan signing opportunities.
I live and work in California and a commissioned notary public. What are the other states I can apply to become a notary public. I am specifically looking for a RON state that allows non-resident notary public.
If you work in or have a place of business in a neighboring state, you might be in luck, but you’d have to check the notary commission requirements of the state you work or have a place of business in and would have to perform your RON work while physically in that state.
No states allow you to perform notarizations, RON or not, without being physically present in the state and having a notary commission in that state.
I am a California notary, I however relocated to Arizona due to being able to work remote, but my employment home base is in California where I currently hold my commission, could I now be able to hold a commission in both states?
CA requires notaries to be legal residents of CA and requires resignation of your commission and submission of your journals to the county clerk within 30 days of moving out of state.