Pennsylvania Notary | NOTARYBONDING – Notary Assoc. of PA Co.

State of Pennsylvania Notary Requirements

Click Here for simple step by step directions on how to obtain our complete service as a new or renewal notary in Pennsylvania

Click Here for simple step by step directions on how to electronically file as a new or renewal notary in Pennsylvania

Eligibility

Be 18 years of age or older.
Be able to read and write English.
Be a resident of or be employed within the Commonwealth.
Be of good moral character and familiar with the duties of a notary public.
Have completed at least 3 hours of approved notary education within the six months immediately preceding application (applicable to all notary public applicants - those seeking an initial commission, and those seeking reappointment). Must have passed the examination required for applicants seeking an initial commission, or reappointment following lapse of the existing commission. We are an approved notary education interactive online course provider as well as a course quiz provider. Our education course and course quiz is included at NO ADDITIONAL COST.
Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a lesser offense incompatible with the duties of a notary public during the five year period preceding the date of the application.
Not have had a notary public commission revoked by the Commonwealth or any other state during the five year period preceding the date of the application.

Provisions:

Notary Term
4 years.
Notary Bond
Required. A $10,000 bond for new or renewing notaries.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Optional. Notary Association of Pennsylvania Co. strongly recommends that Pennsylvania notaries insure themselves against claims of negligence.
Notary Stamp/Notary Seal
Required. A rubber stamp seal.
Notary Public Recording Journal
Required. Every notary public must maintain a journal and record, in chronological order, all of his or her notarial acts. A notary public may also maintain a separate journal for tangible records and for electronic records.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fee
A $42.00 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania state application fee is required for new and renewal notary applications.
Education/Testing
Required. As a condition for initial appointment and reappointment, notaries public are required to complete a three-hour, preapproved notary public education course within the six months immediately preceding the application for appointment or reappointment. All notaries seeking reappointment have the option of more varied continuing education courses.
Jurisdiction
Statewide.
Non-Residents
Permitted. Non-resident applicants must be employed or have a practice within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Non-resident notaries must maintain an actual physical business address in Pennsylvania rather than merely a Post Office Box in the Commonwealth. Non-resident notaries public must appoint the Secretary of the Commonwealth as the agent upon whom may be served any summons, subpoena, order, or other process.
Notary Commission Renewal
A notary public must file for reappointment at least two or three months prior to the expiration date of his or her commission. Notaries seeking reappointment must continue to meet the requirements that initial applicants must meet, including the completion of the approved three-hour course.
Pursuant to Act 119 of 2014
Senatorial endorsement of notary applications will no longer be required effective January 05, 2015.
State of Pennsylvania Change Name
http://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/NotaryServices/Pages/Update-Information-.aspx#name
State of Pennsylvania Change Address
http://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/NotaryServices/Pages/Update-Information-.aspx#address
State of Pennsylvania Change of Eligibility Status
http://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/NotaryServices/Pages/Update-Information-.aspx#resign
State of Pennsylvania Notary Website
http://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/Pages/default.aspx#.VSZ6KvDD-KU
State of Pennsylvania Phone Number
1-717-787-5280
State of Pennsylvania Mailing Address
Division of Legislation and Notaries, 210 North Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120

Become a New or Renewal Notary in Pennsylvania

Step 1

Become a New or Renewal Notary Electronically in Pennsylvania

Step 1

All new appointment and reappointment notaries must complete the mandatory notary education interactive online course and course quiz to obtain your official certificate of completion.

We are a state approved notary education interactive course and course quiz provider. The notary education interactive course and course quiz is included at "no additional cost" to all new appointments or reappointments.

Mandatory Notary Education Interactive Course (PDF)

Mandatory Course Quiz (Online)

(Once you have passed the course quiz you will be provided with an official certificate of completion that you must print and provide a copy to us for instructor signature.) Did you forget your password to log-in to the course quiz? Reset Password (PDF)

A brand new applicant or an expired renewal applicant in Pennsylvania must pass an examination administered by the Department's examination vendor, Pearson VUE. This includes applicants who have never held notary commissions and all applicants who previously held notary commissions but whose commissions have lapsed or expired at the time their application for reappointment is received by the Department, even just for one day.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Order the electronically filed package on our website and then fax or email a copy of the certificate of education completion to be signed by our instructor and we will return it back to you.

Step 2

Once you have the instructor signed certificate of education completion electronically file your application with the state. Once you receive your notary bond and letter proceed to the next step.

Online Notary Application to Electronically File

When completing the online notary application ALL boxes to the left of the question should ONLY be checked if the answer is YES. If you check the box for any of the legal questions (Criminal History, Resigned or Suspended Notary Commission, Other Professional Occupational License or Legal Proceedings) you will be REQUIRED to send supporting documents to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any specific questions please contact the Commissions Office at (717) 787-5280. When the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approves your notary application they will mail you a letter along with your original $10,000 notary public bond.

Step 3

You must email or mail your $10,000 notary public bond to be completed/activated and your letter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania directly to us. Please do not delay!

You will have 45 calendar days to complete this process after the appointment date on your $10,000 notary public bond or the commission becomes void. Please be advised that extensions will not be given. Email or mail us your $10,000 notary public bond to be completed/activated and your letter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Email: statenotice@notarybonding.com

Corporate Mailing To:
Notary Service and Bonding Agency, Inc.
Attn: PA Notary Bond Processing Dept.
550 Hulet Drive, Suite 105
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Step 4

Once we receive your forms we will complete/activate your $10,000 notary public bond and immediately mail and order you the following:

Completed/activated $10,000 notary public bond.
Copy of the letter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Power of attorney form.
Notary errors & omissions policy.
Official seal stamp will be ordered and mailed separately. Please allow approximately 3 to 6 business days to receive your official seal stamp due to the fact that it must be personalized and manufactured.

Step 5

In person file your completed/activated $10,000 notary bond and power of attorney form with the Recorder of Deeds Office and register your official signature with the Prothonotary Office. Please do not delay!

In person file your completed/activated $10,000 notary public bond and power of attorney form with the Recorder of Deeds Office in person in the county where your business is located on your notary public application.

You must file by the date given on the Notice to Appointee letter.

You will receive your commission certificate from the Recorder of Deeds Office upon completing this process. Keep the commission certificate for your records.

Find Recorder of Deeds Office Locations and Contact Information

In person register your official signature with the Prothonotary Office in the county where your business is located. You must sign your name exactly as it appears on your commission.

Find Prothonotary Office Locations and Contact Information

Step 6

You are now authorized to begin your notarial duties.

Once you are successfully filed and registered as well as receive your official seal stamp you will be authorized to begin your duties as a notary public for the State of Pennsylvania.

Become a New or Renewal Notary using our Complete Service in Pennsylvania

Step 1

Complete the new or renewal notary bond package order form, notary application, notary education course and course quiz.

New or Renewal Notary Bond Package Order Form (Complete Service) (PDF)

New or Renewal Notary Application (PDF)

All new appointment and reappointment notaries must complete the mandatory notary education interactive online course and course quiz to obtain your official certificate of completion. Once you have passed the course quiz you will be provided with an official certificate of completion that you must print and provide a copy to us for instructor signature.

Mandatory Notary Education Interactive Course (PDF)

Mandatory Course Quiz (Online)

Forget your password to log-in to the course quiz? Reset Password (PDF)

Step 2

You must only mail the below forms directly to us due to the fact the State of Pennsylvania requires an "original" notary application.

Completed order form.
Completed "original" notary application.
Copy of your official certificate of completion.

Mail To:
Notary Association of Pennsylvania Co.
P.O. Box 61563
Harrisburg, PA 17106

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Once we receive your completed "original" notary application, we will forward it along with the required fee of $42.00 to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania notary division for their approval. DO NOT include payment for that filing fee. We will PAY for and SUBMIT the $42.00 filing fee directly to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for you.

Step 3

You must email or mail your $10,000 blank notary public bond to be completed/activated and your letter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania directly to us. Please do not delay!

Email: statenotice@notarybonding.com

Corporate Mailing To:
Notary Service and Bonding Agency, Inc.
Attn: PA Notary Bond Processing Dept.
550 Hulet Drive, Suite 105
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Step 4

Once we receive your forms we will complete/activate your $10,000 notary public bond and immediately mail and order you the following:

Completed/activated $10,000 notary public bond.
Copy of the letter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Power of attorney form.
Notary errors & omissions policy.
Official seal stamp will be ordered and mailed separately. Please allow approximately 3 to 6 business days to receive your official seal stamp due to the fact that it must be personalized and manufactured.

Step 5

You must file by the date given on the Notice to Appointee letter.

You will receive your commission certificate from the Recorder of Deeds Office upon completing this process. Keep the commission certificate for your records.

Find Recorder of Deeds Office Locations and Contact Information

In person register your official signature with the Prothonotary Office in the county where your business is located. You must sign your name exactly as it appears on your commission.

Find Prothonotary Office Locations and Contact Information

Step 6

You are now authorized to begin your notarial duties.

Once you are successfully filed and registered as well as receive your official seal stamp you will be authorized to begin your duties as a notary public for the State of Pennsylvania.

For a Recently Appointed Notary in Pennsylvania

Step 1

Pennsylvania Notary Packages and Supplies

State of Pennsylvania Notary Requirements

Become a New or Renewal Notary in Pennsylvania

Become a New or Renewal Notary Electronically in Pennsylvania

Become a New or Renewal Notary using our Complete Service in Pennsylvania

For a Recently Appointed Notary in Pennsylvania

Order your notary package by mail

Notary Directory & More

Service Support & More

Contact Information

© 2023 Notary Service and Bonding Agency, Inc. | NotaryBonding.com, all rights reserved. Pricing, shipping, information, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Pennsylvania Notary Packages and Supplies

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Pages

State of Pennsylvania Notary Requirements

Become a New or Renewal Notary in Pennsylvania

Become a New or Renewal Notary Electronically in Pennsylvania

Become a New or Renewal Notary using our Complete Service in Pennsylvania

For a Recently Appointed Notary in Pennsylvania

Order your notary package by mail

Contact Information

© 2023 Notary Service and Bonding Agency, Inc. | NotaryBonding.com, all rights reserved. Pricing, shipping, information, and specifications are subject to change without notice.