Becoming a notary public is one of the most accessible professional credentials in America. There is no degree requirement, the state fees are modest in most states, and the credential opens real income paths: mobile notary work, loan signings, and remote online notarization.
The catch is that notary law is state law. Your state controls eligibility, fees, education, and what you can charge. This guide gives you the universal roadmap that works in every state, flags the places where states differ, and shows you what to do after your commission arrives. If you are in Virginia, start with our state-specific guide on how to become a notary in Virginia.
What a Notary Public Does
A notary public is a state-commissioned official who serves as an impartial witness to important transactions. Day to day, notaries:
- Verify signer identity
- Witness signatures and take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Complete notarial certificates correctly
- Keep a journal record of notarial acts
Because a notarized signature carries legal weight, notaries are in constant demand — by banks, law offices, hospitals, title companies, real estate teams, and everyday people with documents that cannot wait.
Step 1: Confirm You Meet Your State’s Eligibility Rules
Most states share the same core requirements:
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of the state (or, in many states, regularly employed there)
- Able to read and write English
- No disqualifying felony conviction, unless your rights have been restored
Beyond those basics, states diverge. Some require a surety bond. A handful require education and an exam before commissioning. A few ask for a background screening at the application stage. Your Secretary of State’s website is the official source — find its notary division page and read the eligibility list before you spend a dollar.
Step 2: Complete Any Required Education or Exam
A growing number of states require training before or shortly after you apply, and several require passing an examination. Even in states where training is optional, smart new notaries take it anyway, for one simple reason: a notary who performs an act incorrectly can face claims, complaints, and loss of the commission.
Education also has a business payoff. Hiring companies — especially in the loan signing world — consistently favor notaries who can show they have been trained.
From Vanessa’s desk: I have trained notaries nationwide for years, and the pattern never changes. The notaries who struggle are rarely the least talented. They are the ones who skipped learning the fundamentals and got surprised at the table. An afternoon of real training prevents a year of expensive lessons.
Step 3: File Your Application and Pay the State Fee
In most states, the application goes to the Secretary of State (in a few states, another office such as the Lieutenant Governor or a county clerk handles it). Typical application fees run from under $25 to around $100 depending on the state, and many states now offer online applications.
Read every line before submitting. Simple errors — a name that does not match your ID, a missed signature, a wrong mailing address — are the most common cause of processing delays.
Step 4: Purchase Your Bond and Insurance, If Required
Some states require a surety bond as a condition of the commission. A bond protects the public, not you — it is not insurance for your mistakes.
That is what errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is for. Even where it is not required, working notaries carry E&O coverage, and many signing services and title companies ask for proof of it before they will send you assignments. Budget for it as a normal cost of doing business.
Step 5: Take Your Oath of Office
Once the state approves your application, most states require you to take an oath of office — often at a county clerk or circuit court office — and many impose a deadline to claim your commission, commonly 30 to 60 days. Miss the window and your commission can be voided, forcing a fresh application and fee.
When your approval notice arrives, schedule the oath immediately. This single habit saves new notaries more money than any other tip in this guide.
Step 6: Buy Your Seal and Journal
Your state-mandated tools:
- Notary seal or stamp with your information exactly as commissioned
- Notary journal to record your acts — required in several states and recommended in all of them; your journal is your evidence if a notarization is ever challenged
- Quality supplies: smooth-writing pens, a secure document bag, and a professional setup for appointments
Typical all-in startup costs, including state fees, a seal, a journal, and supplies, commonly land between about $100 and $300, varying by state and whether a bond or exam is required.
Step 7: Learn What You Can Charge
Every state sets a maximum fee for traditional notarial acts, and the caps vary widely — from a few dollars per act to $25 or more for electronic notarizations in some states. Charging above your state’s cap can cost you your commission.
Here is the insight that changes everything for new notaries: the per-act fee is only the floor of the business. Mobile notaries also charge agreed travel fees. Loan signing agents are paid a flat fee per appointment — commonly $75 to $200 — because they are being paid for expertise, printing, travel, and package handling, not just stamps. Our breakdown of how much notary signing agents make shows how that income is built.
How Long the Whole Process Takes
In most states, expect roughly two to eight weeks from application to working notary, depending on state processing times, whether an exam is involved, and how quickly you complete your oath. The single biggest variable is you: same-week oath scheduling and prompt supply orders keep the timeline short.
Your First Moves After Commissioning
- Decide your lane: general public mobile work, loan signings, remote online notarization, or a blend
- Build proof of professionalism: E&O insurance, a background check if you want signing work, and a clean online profile where clients can find you
- Tell everyone you know — your first ten clients usually come from people who already trust you
Our guide on how to get notary signing clients walks through the client-building playbook in detail.
Start Your Notary Career With a Guide Who Has Done It
I became a notary in 2014 and built a business that now trains notaries in every state. You do not have to figure this out alone. The Ultimate Notary Training bundle takes you from application to income, and my ebook, How to Make $1K a Week as a Notary, lays out the business step by step — find it in the Notary2Notary shop.
Want the full library plus live support? The Golden Ticket bundle includes our complete course catalog. Welcome to the Notary Family — your commission is step one. Let’s build the business behind it.
FAQ
How much does it cost to become a notary?
Total startup costs typically range from about $100 to $300, including your state application fee, seal, journal, and supplies. States that require a surety bond, an exam, or education add to that range, and optional E&O insurance is extra.
Do I need a degree or experience to become a notary?
No. There is no degree requirement in any state. You must meet your state’s eligibility rules — typically age 18 or older, residency or employment in the state, the ability to read and write English, and no disqualifying felony.
How long does it take to become a notary public?
In most states, two to eight weeks from application to commission, depending on state processing speed, exam requirements, and how quickly you complete your oath of office.
Can I make real money as a notary?
Yes, when you treat it as a business. Per-act fees alone are modest, but mobile travel fees, loan signing appointments commonly paying $75 to $200 each, and remote online notarization turn a commission into a genuine income stream. Earnings vary by market, effort, and how well you market yourself — training and consistent client-building are what move the numbers.