How to become a notary in Pennsylvania
Eligibility, a 3-hour course, an exam, a $25,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Pennsylvania Department of State (Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation).
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Pennsylvania resident, or a person who works or practices (maintains an office) in Pennsylvania; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; able to read and write English; no disqualifying criminal convictions or prior sanctions (felony or lesser offense incompatible with notary duties); members of Congress, federal salaried officeholders and members of the PA General Assembly are ineligible.
- Take the required notary course — 3 hours — 3-hour notary education course from a Department-approved provider, completed within the 6 months before applying; required for new applicants and every renewal.
- Pass the notary exam — Computer-based exam by Pearson VUE, $65 per attempt, taken after the Department approves the application (test center or one-time online attempt); unlimited retakes within 6 months, otherwise redo the course and reapply. Required for first-time applicants and anyone whose commission has lapsed, even by one day.
- Buy a $25,000 surety bond — $25,000 surety bond for notaries appointed or reappointed on or after March 28, 2026 (was $10,000); covers the commission term; recorded with the county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment.
- Complete the background check — No fingerprinting; applicants disclose criminal convictions and prior professional sanctions, which the Department reviews.
- Apply to the Pennsylvania Department of State (Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation) — Pay the $42 state fee. Other fees: Pearson VUE exam $65; approved course fee set by provider; county recorder of deeds recording fees for oath, bond and commission and prothonotary signature registration fee (set by each county); bond premium.
- Take the oath and file it — Within 45 days after appointment: take the oath of office, record the oath, bond and commission with the recorder of deeds in the county where you maintain an office, and register your signature with the prothonotary (clerk of courts in 2nd-class counties; or the recorder of deeds since Jan 3, 2023). Miss the 45 days and the commission is void - reapply.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: rubber ink stamp (embosser optional, in addition only), max 1 in. high x 3.5 in. wide with plain border, reading in order: "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania", "Notary Seal", name + "Notary Public", county of office, expiration date, 7-digit commission number; no abbreviations. Journal: Required: bound paper register with numbered pages (or tamper-evident electronic journal), entries made at the time of the act; no SSN, full ID numbers or birth data; surrender to the county recorder of deeds within 30 days of leaving office.
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 Pennsylvania's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Pennsylvania notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Pennsylvania Department of State (Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation) |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Pennsylvania resident, or a person who works or practices (maintains an office) in Pennsylvania |
| Course | Required — 3 hours 3-hour notary education course from a Department-approved provider, completed within the 6 months before applying; required for new applicants and every renewal |
| Exam | Required Computer-based exam by Pearson VUE, $65 per attempt, taken after the Department approves the application (test center or one-time online attempt); unlimited retakes within 6 months, otherwise redo the course and reapply. Required for first-time applicants and anyone whose commission has lapsed, even by one day |
| State fee | $42 |
| Other fees | Pearson VUE exam $65; approved course fee set by provider; county recorder of deeds recording fees for oath, bond and commission and prothonotary signature registration fee (set by each county); bond premium |
| Surety bond | $25,000 $25,000 surety bond for notaries appointed or reappointed on or after March 28, 2026 (was $10,000); covers the commission term; recorded with the county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | No fingerprinting; applicants disclose criminal convictions and prior professional sanctions, which the Department reviews |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Within 45 days after appointment: take the oath of office, record the oath, bond and commission with the recorder of deeds in the county where you maintain an office, and register your signature with the prothonotary (clerk of courts in 2nd-class counties; or the recorder of deeds since Jan 3, 2023). Miss the 45 days and the commission is void - reapply |
| Seal | Required: rubber ink stamp (embosser optional, in addition only), max 1 in. high x 3.5 in. wide with plain border, reading in order: "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania", "Notary Seal", name + "Notary Public", county of office, expiration date, 7-digit commission number; no abbreviations |
| Journal | Required: bound paper register with numbered pages (or tamper-evident electronic journal), entries made at the time of the act; no SSN, full ID numbers or birth data; surrender to the county recorder of deeds within 30 days of leaving office |
| Max fee per notarization | $5 per acknowledgment (+$2 per additional name), $5 per oath/affirmation, verification, signature witnessing or certified copy, $3 per page for protests; electronic/remote notaries may charge up to $20 extra per act; itemized receipt required |
| Remote online notary | Allowed No separate commission: a commissioned notary notifies and gets approval from the Department before performing electronic or remote notarizations and must identify each approved technology provider used; up to $20 extra fee per electronic/remote act |
| Renewal | Renew online at notaries.pa.gov before the commission expires; 3-hour course required each renewal; no exam if renewed before expiration (a lapsed commission means a new application and exam); re-record bond and oath within 45 days |
New RULONA regulations took effect March 28, 2026: bond raised to $25,000, new seal format with 7-digit commission number, journal privacy limits, itemized fee receipts, 30-day change-notification duty. Existing notaries keep their old bond and seal until their commission expires. Apply online at notaries.pa.gov.
Sources: PA Department of State - Notaries · Examination requirement · Mandatory education requirement · Bonding requirement · Prothonotary and recorder of deeds registration. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Pennsylvania insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Pennsylvania?
The state fee is $42, plus Pearson VUE exam $65; approved course fee set by provider; county recorder of deeds recording fees for oath, bond and commission and prothonotary signature registration fee (set by each county); bond premium. Add the premium for the $25,000 bond, the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Pennsylvania?
Generally 2 to 4 weeks.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires a 3-hour course, an exam, a $25,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Pennsylvania?
$5 per acknowledgment (+$2 per additional name), $5 per oath/affirmation, verification, signature witnessing or certified copy, $3 per page for protests; electronic/remote notaries may charge up to $20 extra per act; itemized receipt required.
Can I be an online notary in Pennsylvania?
Yes. No separate commission: a commissioned notary notifies and gets approval from the Department before performing electronic or remote notarizations and must identify each approved technology provider used; up to $20 extra fee per electronic/remote act