How to Become a Notary in Delaware (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- No exam, no training, no bond required
- Application fee: $60 | Commission term: 2 years (first term), 2 or 4 years (renewal)
- Notary stamp required; journal required since August 2023
- Maximum fee: $5 per notarial act, $25 RON
- RON available
- Must be 18+, living or working in Delaware
Becoming a Delaware notary is a five-step online process: create a profile and apply at the Secretary of State’s portal with a $60 fee, receive your commission by email, take your oath before another Delaware notary, return the oath, and buy your stamp. There is no exam, no training course, and no bond. Total cost runs about $85 to $135.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of Delaware or regularly employed in the state
Disqualifying Factors
Delaware evaluates applicants on a case-by-case basis. Criminal history and providing false information can disqualify you.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Apply Online
Create a notary profile and apply at the Delaware Secretary of State website. Pay the $60 application fee.
Step 2: Receive Your Commission
If approved, you’ll receive your commission certificate by email.
Step 3: Take Your Oath
Print the commission and take it to a Delaware notary public for your oath of office.
Step 4: Return the Oath
Return a copy of the oath to the Secretary of State per the instructions in your email.
Step 5: Purchase Your Stamp
Delaware requires a notary stamp.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $60 |
| No bond required | $0 |
| Notary stamp (required) | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (required since Aug 2023) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $85-$135 |
Maximum Allowable Fees
Delaware sets a maximum of $5 per notarial act (acknowledgments, jurats, and verbal oaths). Remote online notarizations are capped at $25.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Take verifications
- Witness signatures
- Certify copies
- Protest negotiable instruments
Stamp and Journal Requirements
Delaware requires a notary stamp; you cannot notarize without one. Delaware also requires a journal of notarial acts, a mandate that took effect August 1, 2023, so build one into your startup costs rather than treating it as optional.
Notarizing for Family Members
Delaware does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. As everywhere, the working rule is disqualification for your own interest: do not notarize a document in which you or your spouse has a direct financial or beneficial stake.
Renewal
First commission term is 2 years; renewing notaries can request 2 or 4 years. The renewal process is the same as the initial application.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Delaware allows RON. Active notaries can register to perform remote online notarizations through the Secretary of State.
Becoming a Signing Agent
After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program and register with signing services. Delaware is not an attorney state for real estate closings, so loan-signing work is open to non-attorneys. Start with our guide to becoming a signing agent.
Delaware’s no-bond, no-exam approach is the easiest in the mid-Atlantic. Neighboring Maryland also requires no bond but adds mandatory training, an exam, and an $8 fee cap; Pennsylvania requires a $10,000 bond under RULONA; New Jersey requires approved education and testing. Guides: Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey.
Your Commission Belongs to You
A Delaware commission is personal. If you leave a job, your stamp, journal, and commission go with you, and no employer can require you to skip proper procedure or limit your notary work to company business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Delaware?
No. Delaware requires no exam and no training course.
Do I need a surety bond in Delaware?
No. Delaware is a no-bond state, which keeps startup costs to the $60 application fee plus supplies.
How long does a Delaware notary commission last?
The first term is 2 years. Renewing notaries can request a 2- or 4-year term.
Is a notary stamp required in Delaware?
Yes, a notary stamp is required, and a journal has been mandatory for all notarizations since August 1, 2023.
How much can a Delaware notary charge?
$5 per notarial act, and $25 for remote online notarizations.
Can Delaware notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Commissioned notaries register through the Secretary of State to perform RON.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Delaware Secretary of State and 29 Del. C. Chapter 4; journal mandate effective August 1, 2023.
