How to become a notary in Maine
Eligibility, an exam, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Maine resident, or a non-resident with a business or place of employment in Maine (non-residents complete the nonresident eligibility section; employees need their employer's certification); Able to read and write English; not disqualified under 4 M.R.S. §1924: no conviction (or guilty/no-contest plea) for a crime punishable by 1+ year of imprisonment or a crime of fraud, dishonesty or deceit; no findings/admissions of liability for fraud in legal or disciplinary proceedings; no notary commission revoked, suspended, conditioned or not renewed for cause in any state.
- Pass the notary exam — Required for applicants who do not already hold a Maine commission (4 M.R.S. §1923). The exam is part of the paper application: about 15 multiple-choice/true-false questions plus a definitions-matching section, based on the Course of Study. No separate exam fee. Renewing notaries take an online exam during online renewal.
- Complete the background check — No fingerprinting or background check; the application asks you to disclose convictions, fraud findings and prior notary discipline.
- Apply to the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions — Pay the $50 state fee.
- Take the oath and file it — After approval you receive a Certificate of Qualification. Within 30 calendar days of appointment take the oath (4 M.R.S. §1922(3)) before a Dedimus Justice, and return the completed certificate to the SOS within 45 calendar days. If you miss these deadlines you have 90 days from the SOS notice to request reappointment.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Not required for in-person paper notarizations (SOS strongly suggests one); required for all electronic and remote notarizations. A stamp must show your name as commissioned, 'Notary Public', 'State of Maine' or 'Maine', and the commission expiration date, and be photocopiable. Journal: Required for electronic and remote notarizations only (kept 10 years); strongly recommended for paper notarizations.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Maine's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Maine notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Maine resident, or a non-resident with a business or place of employment in Maine (non-residents complete the nonresident eligibility section; employees need their employer's certification). |
| Course | Not required No mandatory class. The SOS publishes a free Notary Public Course of Study (PDF) that the exam is based on (4 M.R.S. §1923(2)). |
| Exam | Required Required for applicants who do not already hold a Maine commission (4 M.R.S. §1923). The exam is part of the paper application: about 15 multiple-choice/true-false questions plus a definitions-matching section, based on the Course of Study. No separate exam fee. Renewing notaries take an online exam during online renewal. |
| State fee | $50 |
| Other fees | None for the commission itself. Marriage officiant license is issued free to Maine-resident notaries unless they opt out (a later separate officiant application costs $25). No fee to update commission information. |
| Surety bond | None No bond required |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | No fingerprinting or background check; the application asks you to disclose convictions, fraud findings and prior notary discipline. |
| Term | 7 years |
| Oath / filing | After approval you receive a Certificate of Qualification. Within 30 calendar days of appointment take the oath (4 M.R.S. §1922(3)) before a Dedimus Justice, and return the completed certificate to the SOS within 45 calendar days. If you miss these deadlines you have 90 days from the SOS notice to request reappointment. |
| Seal | Not required for in-person paper notarizations (SOS strongly suggests one); required for all electronic and remote notarizations. A stamp must show your name as commissioned, 'Notary Public', 'State of Maine' or 'Maine', and the commission expiration date, and be photocopiable. |
| Journal | Required for electronic and remote notarizations only (kept 10 years); strongly recommended for paper notarizations |
| Max fee per notarization | No statutory maximum; any fee must be disclosed in writing and agreed to by the customer before the notarial act (SOS Rules ch. 700, §2(E)) |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Allowed since July 1, 2023 (RULONA, 4 M.R.S. ch. 39, §1915). Before the first remote or electronic notarization, file the 'Notice to Perform Electronic and/or Remote Online Notarizations' with the SOS and get approval: name an SOS-approved technology provider, include the provider's certification that you were trained, and give a sample electronic signature and stamp. No separate state exam; no fee is shown on the notice form. Zoom/FaceTime are not allowed. |
| Renewal | Renew online via Total Notary Solution from 45 days before to 90 days after expiration (within 20 days after keeps your month/day; 21-90 days late gives new dates). $50 fee, online exam based on the Course of Study, then print the oath and be sworn again by a Dedimus Justice. |
Maine adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) effective July 1, 2023, with new SOS rules (Chapter 700) effective Oct 2, 2023. New applications cannot be filed online: mail the paper application with the $50 fee (check to Treasurer, State of Maine, or credit card voucher) to 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101. Since July 1, 2023 notaries no longer solemnize marriages as notaries; Maine-resident notaries get a separate marriage officiant license unless they opt out. Notaries may not notarize for a spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child, in-law or step/half relative. Name, town, phone and email of every notary are published on the SOS public search. The SOS says a new Notary Public Handbook is 'coming soon' and pre-2023 handbooks should be discarded.
Sources: Maine SOS - Notary Public · Maine SOS - I Want to Apply/Renew a Notary · Maine SOS - Notary Public Resources · Maine SOS - Notaries Public Frequently Asked Questions · Maine SOS - Remote/Electronic Notary. Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Maine notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Maine licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Maine insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Maine?
The state fee is $50, plus None for the commission itself. Marriage officiant license is issued free to Maine-resident notaries unless they opt out (a later separate officiant application costs $25). No fee to update commission information.. Add a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Maine?
15-20 business days.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Maine?
Maine requires an exam.
How much can a notary charge in Maine?
No statutory maximum; any fee must be disclosed in writing and agreed to by the customer before the notarial act (SOS Rules ch. 700, §2(E)).
Can I be an online notary in Maine?
Yes. Allowed since July 1, 2023 (RULONA, 4 M.R.S. ch. 39, §1915). Before the first remote or electronic notarization, file the 'Notice to Perform Electronic and/or Remote Online Notarizations' with the SOS and get approval: name an SOS-approved technology provider, include the provider's certification that you were trained, and give a sample electronic signature and stamp. No separate state exam; no fee is shown on the notice form. Zoom/FaceTime are not allowed.