How to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- New for March 2026: Pennsylvania’s RULONA regulations increased the surety bond from $10,000 to $25,000
- You must be 18+, a US citizen or permanent resident, and a PA resident or worker
- Complete a 3-hour approved education course within 6 months before applying
- Pass the Pearson VUE notary exam ($65 per attempt): first-time applicants only
- File your bond and oath at the Recorder of Deeds within 45 days of appointment
- Commission term is 4 years
Pennsylvania updated its notary regulations on March 28, 2026 under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). The biggest change: the surety bond requirement jumped from $10,000 to $25,000. Here’s the current process for getting commissioned.
Requirements
To become a notary public in Pennsylvania, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a US citizen or permanent legal resident
- Be a resident of Pennsylvania or have a place of employment in the state
- Be able to read and write English
- Have no disqualifying criminal history or prior commission revocations
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Education Course
All Pennsylvania notary applicants must complete a 3-hour approved education course within 6 months before submitting their application. The course covers notary law, duties, and proper procedures. Both new and renewing notaries must take the course.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit your completed application, proof of course completion, and the $42 filing fee to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Step 3: Pass the Notary Exam
First-time applicants must pass a notary exam administered by Pearson VUE. The exam costs $65 per attempt. You can retake it as many times as needed within 6 months, but each attempt requires a new fee. Renewing notaries whose commission hasn’t expired are exempt from the exam.
Once you pass, you’ll receive a notice of appointment from the Department of State. You have 45 days to complete the remaining steps or your appointment expires.
Step 4: Obtain a $25,000 Surety Bond
Effective March 28, 2026, all new and reappointed notaries must obtain a $25,000 surety bond (previously $10,000). If you hold a current commission as of March 28, 2026, you can continue using your existing $10,000 bond until it expires. The bond protects the public from notary misconduct. It does not protect you personally.
The bond costs approximately $50–$100 for the 4-year term, available through surety companies and insurance agents.
Step 5: Take Your Oath at the Recorder of Deeds
Bring your executed bond, commission, and oath of office to the Recorder of Deeds office in the county where you work or reside. Take your oath of office and record your official signature. There’s a filing fee, for example, Montgomery County charges $67.25. You’re now a commissioned Pennsylvania notary.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-hour education course | $30–$75 |
| Application fee | $42 |
| Notary exam (Pearson VUE) | $65 per attempt |
| $25,000 surety bond (4-year) | $50–$100 |
| Notary stamp | $15–$25 |
| Notary journal | $10–$50 |
| County filing fee | $40–$70 |
| Total | $252–$427 |
What Changed with RULONA (March 2026)
Pennsylvania implemented the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) on March 28, 2026. Key changes:
- Bond increase: $10,000 → $25,000 for all new and reappointed commissions
- Stamp requirements: Must include your 7-digit commission ID number
- Journal rules: PII restrictions on what can be recorded
- Electronic notarization: New rules for RON with a $20 additional fee allowed
- Maximum fees: $5 per standard notarial act, plus $20 for electronic/remote notarization
Fee Schedule
Pennsylvania sets a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act for standard in-person notarizations. Under the new RULONA rules, notaries may charge an additional $20 for notarial acts performed using electronic or remote notarization technology.
Renewal
Pennsylvania notary commissions last 4 years. Renewing notaries must complete the 3-hour education course again but can skip the Pearson VUE exam if they reapply before their current commission expires. Apply early, if your commission lapses, you’ll need to retake the exam.
Becoming a Signing Agent in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is an attorney state for real estate closings, which limits some signing agent opportunities. However, many PA notaries build successful signing agent businesses handling out-of-state loan closings. You’ll want to carry E&O insurance and complete a signing agent training course. See our guide to becoming a signing agent for more details.
Fee Schedule
Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), Pennsylvania sets the following maximum fees:
- Acknowledgments: $5 per signature
- Jurats: $5 per signature
- Oaths and affirmations: $5 per person
- Certified copies: $5 per certificate
- Electronic notarization: $20 per notarial act
- Remote online notarization: $20 per notarial act
Notarizing for Family Members
Pennsylvania law under RULONA prohibits notarizing for family members in certain situations:
- You cannot notarize your own signature or a document in which you are named
- You cannot notarize for your spouse, parent, grandparent, child, or grandchild if the document involves a financial interest
- The prohibition extends to step-relatives and half-relatives
- Notarizing for siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins is not specifically prohibited, but the same conflict-of-interest rules apply
Employer Obligations
Pennsylvania employer-notary rules:
- Your notary commission is personal and cannot be controlled by an employer
- An employer may not require you to violate notary law or skip required steps
- If you leave your job, your stamp, journal, and commission go with you
- Employers who pay for the notary bond and supplies cannot use that to control your notarial acts
- The employer may not restrict your notary services to company-only business
How Pennsylvania Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | Pennsylvania | New York | New Jersey | Ohio | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | $25,000 | None | None | None | None |
| Exam | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Training | 3 hours | No | Manual | 3 hours | Yes |
| Term | 4 years | 4 years | 5 years | 5 years | 4 years |
| Max Fee | $5 | $2 | $2.50 | $5 | $4 |
| RON | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pennsylvania has the highest bond requirement among its neighbors at $25,000 (effective March 2026 under RULONA). New York and New Jersey require no bond at all. Maryland recently added training and exam requirements. Pennsylvania’s $5 fee cap matches Ohio but is higher than New York ($2) and New Jersey ($2.50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pennsylvania notary exam hard?
The exam covers notary law and proper procedures. If you’ve completed the required 3-hour education course and studied the material, you should pass on the first attempt. You need to score at least 80% to pass.
Do I need a notary stamp in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Under the new RULONA rules, your stamp must include your name, “Notary Public,” the county where you recorded your bond, and your 7-digit commission ID number.
Do I need a notary journal?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts. Under RULONA, there are new restrictions on what personally identifiable information can be recorded in the journal.
What happens if I don’t complete the process within 45 days?
Your appointment expires and you’ll have to start over from the beginning, including retaking the exam and paying all fees again.
I have a current commission. Do I need the $25,000 bond?
Not until you renew. If your commission was active as of March 28, 2026, you can continue using your existing $10,000 bond until it expires. All new and reappointed notaries on or after March 28, 2026 must obtain the $25,000 bond.
Related Reading
- How to Become a Notary Signing Agent
- How to Become a Notary in New York
- How to Become a Notary in Florida
- Dual Tray Laser Printer Recommendations for Signing Agents
Updated May 2026. Requirements based on the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), effective March 28, 2026.
