How to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania

How do I renew my notary commission in Pennsylvania?

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Pennsylvania notaries may file an application for reappointment with the Pennsylvania Department of State up to ninety days prior to the expiration of their current notary public commissions to ensure uninterrupted “commissioned” status.

If you are applying for reappointment as a notary public, you must follow the same process and meet the same education requirements you did for your initial application for appointment as a notary public, with the exception of the notary exam (if applicable).

The processing time for renewal applications with the Pennsylvania Department of State is approximately one month. 

Note: Only applicants who apply while their commission is active are exempt from the examination. If you apply for reappointment even one day after your commission has expired, RULONA requires that you take and pass the examination, even if you have passed the examination previously.

Who appoints notaries in Pennsylvania?

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Notaries public are appointed by the Pennsylvania Department of State. For questions or additional information, contact:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Office of Notaries, Commissions & Legislation
210 North Office Building 
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0029
(717) 787-5280
Email: RA-Notaries@pa.gov

Can a non-resident of Pennsylvania apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. A non-resident may apply to become a Pennsylvania notary public, provided the applicant:

• Has an office in the Commonwealth. The office must be maintained on an ongoing basis at an established location in the Commonwealth, and the applicant must be able to receive mail at that office address.
• Meets the same qualifications as a Pennsylvania resident applicant.
• Follows the same steps required for a Pennsylvania resident to apply for an initial appointment as a notary public.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Pennsylvania?

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A Pennsylvania notary public’s commission term is four years. The effective date and expiration date of the commission are printed on the notary commission certificate issued by the Department of State.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Pennsylvania?

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Yes. All Pennsylvania notaries public are required to complete a three-hour approved notary public education course within six months before submitting their notary application.

Furthermore, all notary  applicants for an initial commission as a notary public must pass an examination on the Pearson VUE’s website within six months following the department's authorization to take the examination, Pearson VUE.

Note:

• An applicant may retake the examination within the six-month period, but no more than one time per 24-hour period.
• An applicant shall attain a scaled score of 75 or higher to pass the examination.
• Examination results are valid for a period of one year from the date of the examination.
• Notary applicants who are unable to pass the notary exam within six months will be required to retake the basic education course and reapply for appointment and commission to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
• If you apply for reappointment even one day after your commission has expired, RULONA requires that you take and pass the examination, even if you have passed the examination previously.

Click here to view a list of approved education providers.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Pennsylvania?

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The cost to become a notary public in Pennsylvania may vary depending on the supplies and coverage you choose, but you will need to pay for:

1. The notary application, which has a filing fee of $42.
2. A $25,000 surety bond. Click here to view our Pennsylvania notary bond price.
3. An official notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
4. A notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
5. A notary public education course.
6. The mandatory examination required for your initial appointment as a notary public.
7. An optional notary errors and omissions insurance policy to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view our notary E&O policy premiums and coverage amounts.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Pennsylvania?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Pennsylvania notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Pennsylvania notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy.

This insurance helps protect you if a client sues you for an unintentional mistake you made while performing a notarial act. It may cover legal fees and damages up to the policy amount you choose. Pennsylvania notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online through the American Association of Notaries website.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Pennsylvania?

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Yes. All Pennsylvania notary public applicants are required to obtain and maintain a four-year surety bond in the amount of $25,000 for the duration of their notary terms.

Within 45 days of your appointment or reappointment as a notary public, your notary bond, oath of office and notary commission must be recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county in which you maintain an office.

This type of bond protects the public from notary errors. However, it does not protect the notary. If a member of the public files a claim against your notary bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue you to recoup the funds it paid on your behalf. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Click here to order your four-year, $25,000 Pennsylvania notary bond online through the American Association of Notaries website. Your bond will be available for instant download after checkout on our website.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Pennsylvania?

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Yes. The Pennsylvania notary statute requires all notaries public to use an inked rubber stamp to authenticate all their official acts (57 Pa C.S. § 317). The rubber stamp must be rectangular and have a plain border. The stamp’s dimensions cannot exceed a height of 1 inch or a width of 3½ inches.

The official stamp of a Pennsylvania notary public must show clearly all of the following information in the following order:

1. The words “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—Notary Seal.”
2. The notary’s name as it appears on the notary public commission and the words “Notary Public.”
3. The name of the county in which the notary public maintains an office.
4. The date the notary public’s commission expires.
5. The seven-digit commission identification number assigned by the department.

Note: 

• Notaries may use a notary seal embosser in addition to the notary stamp. However, the embosser is optional and may not replace the rubber stamp seal.
• A notary public may keep more than one stamping device for the same commission.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and notary seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Pennsylvania notary stamp, a notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Pennsylvania notary seal?

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If your notary stamping device is lost or stolen, you must notify the Department within 15 days of discovering the loss or theft. A “lost” stamp or seal is one that is misplaced, destroyed, or otherwise made unavailable. The notification must include a statement that you do not possess the stamping device and the date you discovered that the stamping device was lost or stolen. You may also wish to file a police report for stolen items.

How much can a Pennsylvania notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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The fees for notaries public for all notarial acts are set by the Department of State by regulation. A notary public must not charge or receive a notary public fee in excess of the fees fixed by the Department:

1. Taking an acknowledgement (per name of first individual making acknowledgment in certificate) - $5.00
2. Taking an acknowledgement (per each additional name in same certificate) - $2.00
3. Administering an oath or affirmation (per individual taking an oath or affirmation) - $5.00
4. Taking verification on oath or affirmation (per individual making declaration) - $5.00
5. Witnessing or attesting a signature (per signature) - $5.00
6. Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition (per certified copy) - $5.00
7. Noting a protest or a negotiable instrument (per page) - $3.00

Note:

• In addition to the fees authorized above, electronic notaries public and remote notaries public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed $20 per notarial act performed with respect to electronic records or using communication technology.
• A notary public must provide an itemized receipt for all fees charged.
• A notary public may charge clerical and administrative fees directly related to the notarization; however, these fees must be reasonable, and customary based on the geographic location and practice setting of the notary, and they should be separately itemized in the journal and on any receipt provided.
• A notary public may not charge any fee for notarizing the supporting affidavit required in an Emergency Absentee Ballot or the affidavit of a person needing assistance to vote using an absentee ballot.
• A notary public may not charge a fee when other applicable law dictates that no fee may be charged.

Is a notary journal required in Pennsylvania?

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Yes. Pennsylvania notaries are required to keep a journal of all notarial acts they perform. A journal may be created on a tangible medium or in an electronic format. A notary public may maintain a separate journal for tangible records and for electronic records.

A journal maintained in a tangible medium must comply with all of the following:

• The cover and pages inside the cover must be bound together by any binding method that is designed to prevent the insertion, removal or substitution of the cover or a page. This includes smyth sewing or stitching, glue, staples, grommets or another permanent binding, but does not include the use of tape, paperclips or binder clips.
• Each page must be consecutively numbered from the beginning to the end of the journal. Page numbers must be preprinted.
• Each entry must be consecutively numbered, either within each page or from the beginning to the end of the journal. Entry numbers must be preprinted.

A journal maintained in an electronic format must be tamper-evident. The notary public must ensure all of the following:

• A journal maintained in electronic format is designed to prevent the insertion between existing entries, removal of an entry or substitution of an entry.
• Each entry must be consecutively numbered from the beginning to the end of the journal.
• A journal maintained in electronic format is securely stored and recoverable in the event of a hardware or software malfunction.
• The journal is available in a portable document format (PDF) upon request.
• If a signature is contained in an electronic journal entry, the signature must be all of the following:

 (i) Attached to or logically associated with the electronic notarial journal entry.

 (ii) Linked to the data in a manner so that any subsequent alterations to the electronic journal entry are detectable.

A journal maintained in electronic format which is delivered to the office of the recorder of deeds in compliance with 57 Pa.C.S. § 319(e) and (g) must be delivered in PDF or other industry-standard readable format prescribed by the receiving recorder of deeds.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Pennsylvania notaries record in their notary journals?

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For Traditional Notarizations, Electronic Notarizations, and Remote Notarizations 

Pennsylvania notaries are required to make a journal entry for each notarial act. Each entry must be made at the time the notarial act is performed and must include all of the following information:

1. The date and time of the notarial act.
2. A description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act.
3. The full name and full address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.
4. If the identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect.
5. If the identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, the type of identification presented and the credential’s date of issuance and expiration. 
6. The fee charged by the notary public.

Note:

• A notary journal entry may not contain any personally identifiable information about any individual appearing before the notary public, including any part of a social security number, a full driver’s license number or government-issued nondriver identification card number, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, or biometric records. However, the journal may contain terminal numbers of certain identification credentials, such as the last four digits of a driver’s license or passport.
• A journal may contain the customer’s signature and any additional information about a specific transaction that might assist the notary public to recall the transaction, including the date of the record.

What steps should I take if my Pennsylvania notary journal is lost or stolen?

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If your notary journal is lost or stolen, you should notify the Department within fifteen days of discovering the loss or theft. You may also wish to file a police report for stolen items. A "lost" notary journal is one that is misplaced, destroyed, or otherwise made unavailable. The notification must include:

• A statement that the notary public does not possess the notary journal, journal security was compromised, or the journal was accessed by an authorized person.
• The date the notary public discovered that the notary journal was lost or stolen.

How long should I retain my Pennsylvania notary journal?

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You must maintain custody and control of your journal at all times for the duration of your commission.

You must deliver the notary journal to the office of the recorder of deeds in the county where you last maintained an office within thirty days of:

• The expiration of your commission as a notary public, unless you apply for a notary commission within that time period.
• Resignation of your commission as a notary public.
• Revocation of your commission as a notary public.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Pennsylvania?

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A Pennsylvania notary public has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts anywhere within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, the notary must be physically located in Pennsylvania at the time the notarial act is performed, whether the notarization is conducted in person or remotely.

What notarial acts can a Pennsylvania notary public perform?

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A Pennsylvania notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:

1. Take an acknowledgment.
2. Administer oaths or affirmations.
3. Take a verification on oath or affirmation (includes an affidavit).
4. Witness or attest to a signature.
5. Certify or attest a copy or deposition.
6. Note a protest of a negotiable instrument.

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Pennsylvania?

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Pennsylvania allows the following three types of notarizations:

Traditional notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarizations (eNotarization) – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote online notarizations – The signer appears remotely before a notary via audio-visual communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to become an electronic notary in Pennsylvania?

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Below are the steps to become an electronic notary in Pennsylvania:

1. Complete the Electronic/Remote Notarization Application online.
2. Once your application is approved, the Department of State’s Bureau of Elections and Notaries will notify you  by email.
3. You must then select an approved electronic and remote notarization technology provider and inform the Bureau of your selection by completing the ENotary - Select Vendors form on the Bureau’s website.
4. The Bureau will notify the selected electronic/remote notarization technology provider(s) that you are authorized to receive an electronic/remote notary technology and have selected your technology.
5. You and your selected electronic/remote notary technology provider will work together directly to obtain and pay for an electronic/remote notary technology.
6. Once access to the electronic notarization technology has been granted, the vendor must notify the Bureau.

Your notary record will be listed as “e-notary capable” in the Pennsylvania Department of State’s notary search once you are authorized to perform electronic notarizations.

What are the steps to become a remote online notary in Pennsylvania?

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Below are the steps to become a remote online notary in Pennsylvania:

1. Complete the Electronic/Remote Notarization Application online.
2. Once your application is approved, the Department of State’s Bureau of Elections and Notaries will notify you by email.
3. You must then select an approved electronic and remote notarization technology provider and inform the Bureau of your selection by completing the ENotary - Select Vendors form on the Bureau’s website.
4. The Bureau will notify the selected electronic/remote notarization technology provider(s) that you are authorized to receive an electronic/remote notary technology and have selected your technology.
5. You and your selected electronic/remote notary technology provider will work together directly to obtain and pay for an electronic/remote notary technology.
6. Once access to the electronic notarization technology has been granted, the vendor must notify the Bureau.

Your notary record will be listed as “e-notary capable” in the Pennsylvania Department of State’s notary search once you are authorized to perform electronic notarizations.

How do I update my address on my Pennsylvania notary commission?

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You must notify the Pennsylvania Department of State within thirty days of any change in your information on file, including office address, home address, or email address.

You may notify the Department of State by completing and emailing the Notary Public Change of Address/Email form or by completing the Update Notary Information form on the Department of State’s website.

If your new office address is in a different county, you must register your official signature in the recorder’s office of the new county within thirty days of moving into the new county.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Pennsylvania?

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You must notify the Pennsylvania Department of State within thirty days of any change to your legal name. You may notify the Department of State by completing and emailing the Notary Public Change of Name form or by completing the Update Notary Information form on the Department of State’s website. The notice of a change in name must be accompanied by evidence of the name change such as a marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree.

Following notification to the Pennsylvania Department of State, you may use your new name or continue to perform notarial acts in the name in which you were commissioned until the expiration of your term. However, before using your new name on notarial work, you must register your new signature with the recorder of deed’s office in the county where your office address is located and purchase a new notary stamp.  

Revised:

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April 2026