How to Become a Notary in Maryland (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- Training course and exam required (effective October 2021)
- Application fee: $25 (raised from $9 in January 2024) | Commission term: 4 years
- Must be 18+, a MD resident (or work in MD), and have no felony convictions
- Commissioned by the Governor of Maryland
- No surety bond required
- Maximum fee: $8 per notarial act (updated January 2024)
Maryland requires a training course and exam to become a notary, but no bond. Commissions are issued by the Governor on the determination of your district’s State Senator. The application is fully online and costs $25. Here is how the process works.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Maryland resident or work in the state
- Be of good character and reputation
- Have no felony convictions involving moral turpitude
- Be able to read and write English
Unlike most states, Maryland notary commissions come from the Governor, not the Secretary of State. The SOS handles the application process, but the Governor signs the commission. You also provide three references, who may be contacted, and your application is determined by the State Senator representing your district (or the Secretary of State where the senator has delegated that power).
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Complete a Training Course and Exam
Maryland requires all new notary applicants to complete an approved training course and pass an exam. The Secretary of State maintains a list of authorized providers. Courses are available online and typically take 2-4 hours. The exam covers Maryland notary law, proper notarization procedures, and your duties and liabilities.
Step 2: Submit Your Online Application
Fill out the notary application through the Maryland Secretary of State. Pay the $25 application fee (raised from $9 effective January 22, 2024). You will need your legislative district (look it up at mdelect.net), government ID, three references, and electronic copies of both certificates: course completion and, for new applicants, exam passage. The Secretary of State runs a background check that covers criminal convictions and civil judgments, and your State Senator (or the SOS where delegated) makes the determination, typically in 2 to 14 days.
Step 3: Governor Issues Your Commission
Once your application is approved, the Governor issues your commission. You will receive your commission certificate by email. You then have 30 days to appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court to take your oath, or the commission is revoked; the clerk charges $10 for the commission plus a $1 registration fee.
Step 4: Buy Your Supplies
Purchase your notary stamp (required) and journal (recommended). Stamps cost $15-$25, journals $10-$50. Your stamp must include your name, “Notary Public,” “State of Maryland,” and your commission expiration date.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Training course and exam | $25-$75 |
| Application fee (Secretary of State) | $25 |
| Notary stamp | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $59-$159 |
Fee Schedule
As of January 2024, Maryland raised the maximum fee to $8 per notarial act. For remote notarizations, the maximum is $30. When notarizing multiple copies of the same document signed at the same time, you may charge $8 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. You may also charge the IRS business mileage rate (72.5 cents per mile for the first half of 2026, 76 cents from July 2026) plus a travel fee of up to $5 when travel is required.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Take verifications on oath or affirmation
- Witness or attest signatures
- Certify copies of documents
- Note protests of negotiable instruments
Notary Stamp Requirements
Maryland requires a rubber stamp or other impression-type seal. It must include your name exactly as it appears on your commission, the words “Notary Public” and “State of Maryland,” and your commission expiration date. You cannot perform notarizations without your stamp present.
Notarizing for Family Members
Maryland does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. However, you cannot notarize a document in which you have a direct financial interest. Use caution with spouse notarizations involving shared assets. Your sponsor cannot be a family member.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required. Maryland has no bond requirement, which means there is no built-in protection for the public either. E&O insurance protects you from personal liability if you make a mistake. Policies typically run $30-$100 per year for $25,000-$100,000 in coverage.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
- Notarizing without authority: misdemeanor charge
- Fraud or forgery: felony charges
- Commission revocation: the Governor may revoke your commission at any time
- Civil liability: you can be held personally liable for damages caused by your errors
Employer Obligations
- Your commission is personal and does not belong to your employer
- If you leave your job, your stamp and commission go with you
- Your employer cannot require you to skip proper notarization procedures
- An employer who pressures you into misconduct may share legal liability
Renewal
Maryland notary commissions last 4 years. The renewal window runs from 60 days before expiration to 30 days after, and you are sworn in again at every renewal. A Course of Study certificate is required with each renewal application; the renewal page does not list the exam, though the FAQ’s eligibility list does, so confirm the exam question with the Notary Division (410-974-5520) before scheduling.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Maryland authorized remote online notarization. To perform RON, you must hold an active Maryland notary commission and notify the Secretary of State of your intent to perform remote notarizations. You must use one of the state’s approved RON technology vendors. The SOS maintains a list of authorized vendors on its website. Remote notarizations have a higher fee cap at $30 per act.
Becoming a Signing Agent
Maryland is not an attorney state for real estate closings. Title insurance producers and settlement agents can conduct closings without attorney involvement, though you must hold a title insurance producer license under Insurance Article §10-101(m). Signing agents can handle loan document signings. Complete a signing agent certification course after receiving your commission to get started.
How Maryland Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | Maryland | Virginia | Pennsylvania | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | None | None | $25,000 | None |
| Exam | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Training | Yes | No | 3 hours | No |
| Term | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years | 2 years |
| Max Fee | $8 | $10 | $5 | $5 |
| RON | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Maryland requires training and an exam, joining Pennsylvania as the stricter states in the mid-Atlantic. Virginia and Delaware are easier to enter with no exam or training. Pennsylvania stands out with its $10,000 bond requirement under RULONA. Delaware has the shortest term at just 2 years. Maryland now has the highest fee cap in the region at $8, updated in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland requires all new notary applicants to complete an approved training course and pass an exam from an authorized provider. This requirement took effect in October 2021.
Do I need a surety bond in Maryland?
No. Maryland does not require a surety bond; its application scheme has never included one.
How long does a Maryland notary commission last?
4 years. Renew between 60 days before and 30 days after expiration. A course certificate is required with each renewal; you are sworn in again at every renewal.
Is a notary journal required in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland notaries keep a journal, and the SOS specifies it is retained for 10 years; a certified copy of a journal entry costs $6.
How do I apply to become a Maryland notary?
Complete an approved course and exam, then apply online through the Maryland Secretary of State with your legislative district, ID, three references, and both certificates. Your district’s State Senator makes the determination, the Governor issues the commission, and you take the oath at the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 30 days.
How much is the Maryland notary application fee?
$25 as of January 22, 2024 (previously $9 plus $2). The fee is paid with the online application.
Related Reading
- How to Become a Notary Signing Agent
- How to Become a Notary in Virginia
- How to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania
- Dual Tray Laser Printer Recommendations for Signing Agents
Updated May 2026. Requirements based on the Maryland Secretary of State and State Government Article, Title 18.
