How much to become a notary

Aside from the additional income opportunities available, the office of the Notary Public has a long history and brings with it both credibility to the individual Notary and service to one's state or U. A Notary does not serve their employer; their service is to the state or territory that issues their commission.

If you're interested in becoming a Notary Public, this practical guide answers many frequently asked questions.

This is a general guide because each state has its own procedures for becoming a Notary Public. We provide some state-specific information for the questions in this general guide. If you want to skip straight to your state's process and requirements, please select your state from the menu above.

Is there a question we didn't answer? Please let us know! View the steps to become a Notary Public as an infographic, or download the file if you'd like to print it out. The exact qualifications for who can become a Notary differs from state to state. In general, Notary applicants must be 18 years old and a legal resident of the state with no criminal record.

Some states require you Notary applicants to read and write English. Some states also allow residents of neighboring states to become Notaries. The cost of becoming a Notary varies based on the application filing fee and the cost of any Notary training, exams, background screenings, required Notary supplies, and the cost of your bond if applicable. In a few states, yes, a background check is a requirement to become a Notary.

Some states where a background check is not required may choose to run one if you state on the application that you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in the past. Notaries who choose to become Notary Signing Agents will need a separate background screening to meet industry standards.

Generally, Notaries need three Notary-specific supplies: certificates, a seal for stamping certificates, and a journal for keeping a record of your notarizations. While not required in a majority of the states, every Notary should keep a Notary journal for the protection it provides both the Notary and the public.

Certificates are the most challenging type of "supply" because there are different types of notarizations , each requiring a different certificate. Most state Notary-regulating sites provide basic certificates, but these can often leave something to be desired when trying to make a professional impression at a signing.

For this reason, some suppliers make certificates available online, so you can download the right certificate as needed rather than keeping a stock of paper certificates. There are plenty of Notary supplies available to help you perform your duties and protect yourself.

Delaware requires training and continuing education for electronic Notaries. All required Notary training must be approved by the state, so — as long as it is an approved course — the basics required by the state will be covered in the training.

While fewer than a dozen states require Notary applicants to undergo any training or education, many others support the case for voluntary educational courses. The first place to check for training would be with Notary regulating agency in your state — usually the Secretary of State's office. Local community colleges in some states also offer Notary education.

There are a number of organizations and vendors, such as the National Notary Association, that provide education for Notaries too. Some vendors may include practical information that will help Notaries learn how to perform their official duties. Notaries public found to be non-compliant after the notary public commission is issued may be subject to commission suspension or revocation.

Family Code section State law requires all applicants be fingerprinted as part of a background check prior to being granted an appointment as a notary public. Information concerning the fingerprinting requirement will be mailed to applicants who pass the examination. All applicants are required to disclose on their application any arrests for which trial is pending and all convictions. To renew your commission, you must complete all the steps outlined below beginning 90 days before your commission expires:.

Obtain a BCI background check — you can do this 6 months before your commission expires. The code to use when obtaining your background check is: Beginning 90 days before your commission expires, you must successfully complete a 1-hour notary education class.

Ohio Notary Services classes are available online. To register for either option proceed through the Renew tab on this website. I submitted my renewal application, how long does it take to process? Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing by the Ohio Secretary of State. Once I receive my commission certificate, do I need to have the certificate notarized? Your certificate does not need to be certified.

For an attorney to become a notary in Ohio you must complete all the steps outlined below:. The class is available online through this website. To register for proceed through the Become A Notary tab.

The Secretary of State will process your completed application and, if approved, it will issue your commission directly to you. Your commission will be issued for your lifetime, assuming no discipline or disqualifying offenses have been committed. Where is my commission valid? Your commission is valid in Ohio. When notarizing a document, must an individual personally appear before me in order for me to notarize it? As a traditional notary, yes, an individual must personally appear and show proper identification.

What is the most money I can charge as a notary for a single signature I notarize? Notary fees may not be calculated on a per-signature basis, but instead should be calculated per notarial act. How do I go about changing my name or address since I received my commission? How do I go about ordering a Notary stamp? Do I have to keep a journal of all my notarial transactions? Traditional notaries are not required to keep a journal but is strongly recommended that you do.

Ohio Notary Services, LLC is the only approved provider of online notary public education and training.