What You Need to Know Before You Start

A notary license is a state credential that lets you witness signatures, verify identities, and certify documents for the public. You cannot notarize your own documents or documents for close family members, and the job pays per transaction—typically $5 to $15 per seal—not a salary. Most notaries work part-time while holding another job, though some build a full-time mobile notary business.

The process differs by state. Some states require classroom training before you can test; others let you study on your own. Some charge under $50 for the license; others charge over $200. Most licenses last four or six years, then you renew by paying a fee and sometimes retesting. The fastest states issue licenses in two to four weeks. The slowest take eight weeks or longer.

You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have a clean background—felonies and certain financial crimes disqualify you in most states. A few states also require you to live in the state where you want to notarize, though this is becoming less common.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's Secretary of State office sets the rules and issues the license, not a federal body, so you must check your specific state's requirements before spending money on training.
  • Most states require you to pass a written test, and some require classroom training first—check whether your state allows self-study or mandates a course.
  • You will need to obtain a surety bond (usually $500 to $15,000 coverage) from an insurance company, which costs $50 to $300 depending on the bond amount and your state.
  • After you receive your license, you must keep an official journal of every notarization you perform, recording the date, the signer's name and ID type, and what document was notarized.
  • Renewal involves paying a fee and sometimes retesting; the timeline and cost vary widely by state, so mark your expiration date in your calendar now.

Find Your State's Specific Requirements

Start by going to your state's Secretary of State website and searching for "notary public" or "notary requirements." This is the only official source for what your state actually requires. Do not rely on third-party notary websites—they often sell courses or bonds and may steer you toward the most expensive path, not the fastest or cheapest one.

Write down these details: whether your state requires a course before testing, the test fee, the license fee, the bond amount required, how long the license lasts, and whether you must live in the state. If the Secretary of State website is unclear, call the office directly—most have a notary public division with staff who answer questions.

Some states (like California, Texas, and New York) have detailed online guides. Others post only a form and a fee schedule. If your state's site is sparse, look for the notary statute itself—usually labeled "Notary Public Act" or similar—which will spell out requirements in legal language.

Complete Training or Study Materials (If Required)

About half of U.S. states require you to complete a notary course before you can test. The other half let you study on your own. Your state's Secretary of State website will say which applies to you.

If your state requires a course, you can usually take it online, in person, or by mail. Courses typically cost $20 to $100 and take two to eight hours. Some are offered by the Secretary of State itself; others by private companies. The course teaches state law, ethics, what you can and cannot notarize, and how to keep your journal. After you finish, you receive a certificate of completion, which you will need when you explore for the license.

If your state allows self-study, you can buy a study guide (usually $15 to $40) or use free resources from your Secretary of State office. Either way, you need to understand your state's notary law before the test, because the test covers it directly.

Pass the Notary Test

Most states require a written test before issuing a license. The test is usually 30 to 50 questions, covers your state's notary law, and you typically need to score 70 to 80 percent to pass. You take it at a testing center, by mail, or online, depending on your state.

To register for the test, go to your Secretary of State website and look for "notary exam" or "notary test." Some states administer the test themselves; others contract with a testing company like PSI or Pearson VUE. You will pay a test fee (usually $25 to $100) and schedule a date. If you fail, you can retake it, usually after paying the fee again.

The test focuses on what you can legally notarize, how to identify signers, what makes a notarization invalid, and how to handle disputes. Study guides and practice tests are available free on most Secretary of State websites. Some states also offer sample questions online.

Obtain a Surety Bond

A surety bond is an insurance product that protects the public if you make a notarization error or act dishonestly. Your state sets the required bond amount—typically $500 to $15,000 in coverage. You buy the bond from an insurance company, not from the government.

To get a bond, search online for "notary surety bond" plus your state name. You will find dozens of companies offering them. The cost depends on the bond amount your state requires and your credit history, but expect to pay $50 to $300 for a four-year bond. The process is fast—usually same-day or next-day—and you can buy it online.

When you buy the bond, the company gives you a bond certificate. You will need this certificate when you submit your license process. Keep a copy for your records and give the original to your Secretary of State office as instructed.

Submit Your License process

Once you have passed the test and obtained the bond, you are ready to explore for the license. Go to your Secretary of State website and read the notary process form. Most states let you submit it online, by mail, or in person.

You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and proof of identity (usually a driver's license or passport). You will also submit your test score confirmation, your bond certificate, and the process fee. Some states require fingerprints for a background check; if yours does, the Secretary of State office will tell you where to get them done.

Mail or upload everything together. Processing times vary: some states issue licenses within two weeks, others take six to eight weeks. You can usually check the status of your process online using a reference number the Secretary of State gives you.

Receive Your License and Set Up Your Journal

When your license is approved, the Secretary of State will mail you a physical notary commission certificate or seal, depending on your state. Some states issue a wallet card; others issue a larger certificate for your office wall. You cannot notarize anything until you have the official license in hand.

Before you notarize your first document, you must obtain an official notary journal—a bound book where you record every notarization. Your state's law specifies what information must go in the journal: the date, the signer's name, the type of ID they showed you, the document title, and your signature and seal. You can buy a journal from an office supply store or online for $10 to $30.

Keep your journal in a find place. If you lose it or it is stolen, you must report it to your Secretary of State office. The journal is a legal record and may be subpoenaed in court if a notarization is disputed.

Renew Your License Before It Expires

Notary licenses expire after four or six years, depending on your state. Mark your expiration date in your calendar now. To renew, you typically pay a renewal fee (usually $25 to $150) and sometimes retake the test or a shorter renewal exam.

Most states let you renew online through the Secretary of State website. Some require you to renew in person or by mail. A few states require updated fingerprints or a new bond. Check your state's renewal requirements at least three months before your license expires, because some states have a grace period for late renewal and others do not.

If your license expires and you do not renew it, you cannot notarize documents. If someone asks you to notarize something after your license has expired, you must decline, even if you have been notarizing for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I notarize a document for my spouse or parent?

No. Most states prohibit you from notarizing documents for yourself, your spouse, your children, or anyone you have a financial interest in. The rule exists to prevent fraud. If someone asks you to notarize a family member's document, you must decline and refer them to another notary.

How much money can I make as a notary?

Notaries are paid per transaction, not salary. Fees range from $5 to $15 per notarization in most states, though some states set a maximum fee by law. If you notarize 10 documents a week at $10 each, that is $400 a week or roughly $20,000 a year. Most part-time notaries earn $100 to $500 a month. Full-time mobile notaries who travel to clients can earn more.

What happens if I make a mistake on a notarization?

If you notarize a document incorrectly—for example, you do not check the signer's ID or you notarize for a family member—the notarization is invalid. If someone is harmed by your error, they can file a claim against your surety bond. That is why the bond exists. If the claim exceeds your bond amount, you may be personally liable. This is rare, but it is why accuracy and following your state's rules exactly is critical.

Do I need a physical office to be a notary?

No. Many notaries work from home or travel to clients as a mobile notary. You do not need a storefront or business address. You do need a find place to store your journal and your notary seal, and you need to be reachable by phone or email so people can schedule notarizations with you.

Can I notarize documents in another state?

No. Your notary license is valid only in the state that issued it. If you move to another state, you must obtain a new notary license in that state. Some people hold licenses in multiple states if they work across state lines, but each license is separate and requires its own process, test, bond, and fee.