How to Become a Notary in South Carolina (2026 Guide)
Key Takeaways
- No exam, no training, and no bond required
- Application fee: $25 | Commission term: 10 years
- Must be a registered South Carolina voter
- Maximum fee: $5 per notarization
- Notary seal required (rubber stamp or embosser, 26-1-5(18)); only South Carolina residents can hold the commission, and jurisdiction stops at the state line
- Processing time: 2-12 weeks
- No RON: remote online notarization not currently allowed
South Carolina has one of the longest notary commission terms in the country (10 years) and requires no bond, no exam, and no training. The main requirement is that you must be a registered voter. The trade-off: no RON, and a low $5 fee cap.
A notary commission is not one business. It’s five.
Loan signings, apostille work, I-9 verifications, remote online notarization, and being findable on Google. Browse courses →
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of South Carolina and a registered voter
- Be able to read, write, and speak English fluently
- Submit accurate and complete application information
Disqualifying Factors
If a notary is found guilty of any offense listed in South Carolina’s notary laws, they will immediately lose their commission and can never obtain one again.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Download the application from the South Carolina Secretary of State, complete and sign it in front of another notary (a genuine South Carolina ritual: finding a notary before you are one), and mail all pages with original signatures to your county legislative delegation office (the House of Representatives if your county has none). Pay the $25 fee by check with the application or via the emailed card-payment link once the delegation forwards it.
Step 2: Wait for Approval
Processing takes 2-12 weeks. You’ll receive your notary commission by mail.
Step 3: Receive Your Commission by Mail
There is no county filing step in South Carolina: once the delegation office forwards your application, the Secretary of State issues the commission and mails it to you.
Step 4: Order Your Notary Seal
Purchase a notary stamp. See stamp requirements below.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $25 |
| No bond required | $0 |
| Notary stamp (required) | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $50-$100 |
Maximum Allowable Fees
South Carolina sets a maximum of $5 per notarization (26-1-100(A)), and if you charge, your fee schedule must be conspicuously displayed. Mobile notaries can charge travel fees under 26-1-100(C), but the signer must agree in advance. Notarizing an absentee-ballot envelope is a duty, not a service: SC notaries may not charge for it.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Execute jurats
- Witness signatures
- Take verifications
- Perform other acts authorized by law
Notary Stamp Requirements
South Carolina requires an official seal, either a rubber stamp or an embosser, meeting the contents specified in section 26-1-5(18). Stamps scan better than embossers, which matters for recorded documents.
Notarizing for Family Members
SC does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. Avoid notarizing documents where you have a direct financial or beneficial interest.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
South Carolina takes notary misconduct seriously. If found guilty of any offense listed in state notary laws, you will immediately lose your commission and can never obtain one again. This is a permanent bar, not a temporary suspension.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but recommended to protect against financial losses from errors or omissions.
Renewal
SC notary commissions last 10 years: one of the longest terms in the country. Renewal is the same application and the same $25 fee, with no automatic renewals and no reminder notices, so file 8 to 12 weeks before your term expires. File any change of status (name or address, $10 within 45 days of the change) before renewing.
Electronic Notarization and RON
South Carolina’s Electronic Notary Public Act (signed May 18, 2021) created an electronic notarization registration, open to commissioned notaries through the SOS Online Notary Portal: watch the state’s educational video, pass the online test, select an approved technology vendor, and print your electronic notary certificate. The critical distinction: this is electronic notarization, not remote notarization. The signer must still be physically present with you; remote online notarization is not allowed, and any platform selling “South Carolina RON” is misdescribing it.
Becoming a Signing Agent
After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program. SC is not an attorney state for real estate closings, so signing agents can handle loan document signings.
SC’s 10-year commission term is one of the longest in the country: only a handful of states match it. Neighboring Georgia requires training and a journal; North Carolina requires an exam and sets a $5 fee cap like SC. The registered voter requirement is unusual. Most states only require residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in South Carolina?
No. SC does not require a notary exam or training course.
Do I need a surety bond in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina does not require a surety bond; the reference manual says so flatly, and any package selling you one is padding.
How long does a SC notary commission last?
10 years: one of the longest terms in the country. Renew with the same application and $25 fee, filed 8 to 12 weeks before expiration.
Do I need to be a registered voter?
Yes. You must be a registered voter in South Carolina to apply, with the registration address matching your application.
How much can a SC notary charge?
$5 per notarization, with the fee schedule conspicuously displayed if you charge. Travel fees are allowed if agreed in advance, and absentee-ballot notarizations are free.
Can an out-of-state resident become a South Carolina notary?
No. South Carolina commissions only state residents, even if the applicant is employed in the state, and an SC notary’s jurisdiction runs statewide but stops at the South Carolina line.
Employer Obligations
- Your notary commission is personal. It 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
Related Reading
- How to Become a Notary in North Carolina
- How to Become a Notary in Georgia
- How to Become a Notary Signing Agent
Updated May 2026. Requirements based on the South Carolina Secretary of State and SC Code Title 26.
