Notary Public Requirements by State: A Complete 50-State Reference
Notary public commissioning is a state-level function. There is no federal notary commission, no national licensing body, and no unified standard — each of the 50 states (and the District of Columbia) sets its own qualifications, term lengths, bond requirements, examination standards, and fees. For any professional considering a notary career or practitioners researching multi-state practice requirements, understanding the state-specific framework is essential.
This guide covers notary commissioning requirements for ten major states, the education mandates that apply in certain jurisdictions, and the current landscape for Remote Online Notarization (RON) authorization.
How Notary Commissioning Works
A notary public commission is a state appointment — not a license in the traditional occupational sense. The commissioning authority varies by state: some states commission through the Secretary of State, others through the county clerk, the governor's office, or the state's judicial branch.
Key universal principles:
- A notary commission is state-specific. A California commission does not authorize notarial acts in Texas, and vice versa.
- The commission is not perpetual — it expires on a fixed date and must be renewed.
- The notarial acts a notary may perform are defined by state statute, not personal discretion.
- Unauthorized notarization or notarization outside the commission's scope can constitute a misdemeanor or felony depending on the state.
Notarial acts recognized in most states include:
- Acknowledgments
- Jurats (oaths/affirmations)
- Copy certifications
- Signature witnessing
- Administering oaths for depositions and affidavits
State-by-State Requirements
California
California notaries are commissioned by the California Secretary of State. California has some of the most detailed notary requirements in the country.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a California resident or have a principal place of business in California |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | Yes — a mandatory state-approved examination administered by a CDI-approved vendor |
| Bond required | Yes — $15,000 surety bond |
| Background check | Yes — fingerprint-based criminal history review through DOJ and FBI |
| Application fee | $40 (payable to Secretary of State) |
| Education required | 6 hours of approved notary education for first-time applicants; 6 hours for renewal |
California's fingerprint requirement and the mandatory examination make it one of the more rigorous commissioning processes. The examination covers California notary law, proper notarial procedures, and required journal and seal practices. Training providers must be approved by the Secretary of State.
California Education Mandate: First-time applicants must complete a 6-hour course from a Secretary of State-approved vendor before taking the exam. Renewal applicants must also complete 6 hours of refresher education.
Texas
Texas notaries are appointed by the Texas Secretary of State.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a Texas resident |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | Yes — $10,000 surety bond |
| Background check | No formal background check |
| Application fee | $21 (bond fee separate from application) |
Texas does not require a formal examination or mandatory pre-commission education. However, the Texas Notary Public Sourcebook provides guidance on proper notarial procedures, and the Secretary of State's office offers educational resources. Notaries in Texas must obtain a $10,000 surety bond through a licensed Texas bonding company before their commission is issued.
Texas also has a robust Remote Online Notarization (RON) authorization — one of the earliest states to enact RON legislation (effective January 1, 2018). Texas RON requires the use of CDI-approved technology and a separate registration with the Secretary of State.
Florida
Florida notaries are commissioned by the Florida Governor's Office through the Department of State.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a Florida resident |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | Yes — $7,500 surety bond |
| Background check | Yes — background review required |
| Application fee | $39 |
Florida does not require a mandatory examination but strongly recommends completing a 3-hour education course from a Florida Department of State-approved vendor. The three-hour education course is required for renewal in Florida. Florida also enacted RON legislation (effective January 1, 2020), making it one of the largest states for remote online notarization given its volume of real estate transactions.
New York
New York notaries are appointed by the New York Secretary of State. New York uses an examination-based commissioning process.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a New York resident, or a New York attorney or resident alien with a NY business address |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | Yes — written examination administered by the Department of State |
| Bond required | No |
| Background check | No formal fingerprint check (good moral character standard applies) |
| Application fee | $60 |
The New York notary examination is administered by the Department of State and covers New York notary law, proper notarial procedures, legal ethics, and the limits of notarial authority. A passing score of 70% or higher is required. The exam is available in written format at testing locations throughout the state and must be passed before the application is approved.
New York Education Note: New York does not require a formal pre-commission education course, but preparation materials are widely available and the examination covers detailed statutory content.
Illinois
Illinois notaries are commissioned by the Illinois Secretary of State.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be an Illinois resident |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | Yes — $5,000 surety bond |
| Background check | No |
| Application fee | $10 |
Illinois has minimal requirements relative to its population size. No examination, no mandatory education, and a $5,000 bond. Illinois enacted the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312) governing notarial authority. Electronic notarization is authorized in Illinois, but formal RON legislation has been enacted more recently.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a Pennsylvania resident |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | Yes — online notary exam through a Department of State-approved provider |
| Bond required | Yes — $10,000 surety bond |
| Background check | Yes |
| Application fee | $42 |
Pennsylvania requires applicants to complete a 3-hour education course and pass an examination administered online through a state-approved provider. The education and exam requirement was established under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), which Pennsylvania enacted effective 2018. Pennsylvania also enacted RON legislation effective 2021.
Ohio
Ohio notaries are appointed by the Ohio Secretary of State, though county-level processes vary for in-person appointment.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be an Ohio resident |
| Term length | 5 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | Yes — $5,000 bond in some counties; varies |
| Background check | Yes |
| Application fee | $15 (Secretary of State fee) |
Ohio has one of the longer commission terms at 5 years. Ohio enacted RON legislation effective 2019 (Ohio Revised Code § 147.64). Ohio notaries seeking RON authorization must register separately with the Secretary of State and use technology from approved platform providers.
Georgia
Georgia notaries are appointed by the Superior Court of the county where the notary resides.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a Georgia resident |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | No |
| Background check | No |
| Application fee | Approximately $10 (varies by county) |
Georgia has among the simplest commissioning requirements in the country. There is no examination, no bond requirement, no background check, and no mandatory education. The notary public application is filed with the superior court clerk in the applicant's county of residence. Georgia has enacted RON legislation under O.C.G.A. § 45-17-3 et seq.
Arizona
Arizona notaries are commissioned by the Arizona Secretary of State.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be an Arizona resident |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | Yes — $5,000 surety bond |
| Background check | Yes — background check required for new applicants |
| Application fee | $43 |
Arizona requires a background check for first-time applicants and a $5,000 surety bond. Arizona enacted electronic notarization provisions and RON authorization, making Arizona among the active western states for remote notarization. The Arizona Notary Practices and Qualifications pamphlet, published by the Secretary of State, is the primary guidance document for Arizona notaries.
Washington
Washington notaries are commissioned by the Washington Secretary of State.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency | Must be a Washington resident or have a Washington place of business |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Exam required | No |
| Bond required | Yes — $10,000 surety bond |
| Background check | Yes |
| Application fee | $30 |
Washington requires a background check and a $10,000 bond. Washington enacted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) and provides RON authorization. Washington's Secretary of State publishes a detailed notary handbook that covers all required procedures, journal obligations, and seal specifications.
States With Mandatory Notary Education
While most states allow applications without requiring a formal pre-commission course, several states now mandate education as a condition of commissioning or renewal:
| State | Requirement |
|---|---|
| California | 6 hours pre-commission; 6 hours at renewal |
| Pennsylvania | 3-hour course + online exam before commissioning |
| Florida | 3-hour course required at renewal |
| Montana | Short approved course required |
| Nevada | Pre-commission education required |
| North Carolina | Approved course required before commission |
| Oregon | Approved course required before commission |
The trend in state legislatures is toward mandatory education, particularly for states with high real estate transaction volumes or elevated notarial fraud incidents. Practitioners in states currently without education requirements should anticipate potential changes.
Remote Online Notarization (RON): Which States Authorize It
Remote Online Notarization allows a notary to perform notarial acts using audio-video technology for signers who are not physically present. RON requires state-level authorization and, in most states, a separate registration or technology platform approval.
States with enacted RON legislation include:
Virginia, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada, Indiana, Montana, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Vermont, Hawaii, Tennessee, Minnesota, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Maryland, Washington, Missouri, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wyoming, North Carolina, Georgia, and others.
The majority of states have now enacted some form of RON authorization. A practitioner pursuing a remote notarization practice should confirm current RON authorization and registration requirements through their Secretary of State's office, as legislation continues to evolve.
Summary Comparison
| State | Term | Exam | Bond | Background Check | RON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 yrs | Yes | $15,000 | Yes | Yes |
| Texas | 4 yrs | No | $10,000 | No | Yes |
| Florida | 4 yrs | No | $7,500 | Yes | Yes |
| New York | 4 yrs | Yes | None | No | Limited |
| Illinois | 4 yrs | No | $5,000 | No | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 4 yrs | Yes | $10,000 | Yes | Yes |
| Ohio | 5 yrs | No | $5,000 | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | 4 yrs | No | None | No | Yes |
| Arizona | 4 yrs | No | $5,000 | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | 4 yrs | No | $10,000 | Yes | Yes |
Next Steps
A notary commission is the foundation of a professional notary practice — but it is not the ceiling. Loan signing agent specialization, RON authorization, and niche document preparation services build on the commission to create a comprehensive professional practice.
The Notary Public Certification Program™ at SecureServe Academy™ covers state commissioning requirements, proper notarial procedures, journal and seal standards, signing agent preparation, RON technology requirements, and how to build a professional notary practice.
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