Notary Public
Maryland
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
3 hours
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
state exam
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedMeet eligibility requirements (18+, Maryland resident or employed in Maryland, good moral character)
Complete an SOS-approved notary education course ('Becoming a Notary Public') and pass the accompanying exam
Obtain certificates of completion and passing from the course provider
Submit online application through the Maryland Secretary of State portal with $25 non-refundable fee and upload course/exam certificates
Secretary of State reviews application and conducts background check
Application is forwarded to your State Senator for approval
If approved by the Senator, appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in your county or Baltimore City within 30 days of notification
Take the oath of office and pay clerk fees ($10 commission + $1 registration)
Purchase notary seal and journal after receiving commission
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years or older years old
Residency
Must be a Maryland resident or have a permanent place of work or practice in Maryland
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship is not required; must be a legal resident or work legally in Maryland
Background Check
The Maryland Secretary of State conducts a criminal background screening as part of the application review process. Applicants must be of good moral character and integrity. Disqualifying convictions may bar applicants.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required3 hours
Effective October 1, 2021, all new notary applicants must complete an SOS-approved course ('Becoming a Notary Public') and pass an accompanying exam. Renewing applicants must complete a refresher course ('Renewing Your Notary Commission'). Courses take approximately 3 hours and cover notary laws, regulations, and ethics. Some providers offer 6-hour comprehensive training with exam included.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredAll new applicants must pass an SOS-approved exam as part of the mandatory education requirement (effective October 1, 2021). The exam accompanies the education course and tests knowledge of Maryland notary laws, regulations, and ethics. Certificates of completion and passing must be uploaded with the application.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredMaryland does not require a surety bond for notaries public.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredErrors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is not required by Maryland law but is optional and recommended.
Seal / Stamp
Requiredeither
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $25 |
Bond Premium | N/A - no bond required |
Stamp / Seal | $20-$40 |
Education Course | N/A |
Total Estimated Cost | $110-$178 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Renewing applicants must complete an SOS-approved refresher course ('Renewing Your Notary Commission'), submit a renewal application with $25 fee, obtain senatorial approval, and take a new oath of office at the Circuit Court Clerk's office within 30 days of notification.
Renewal Fee
$25
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Maryland permits remote online notarization for notaries with active commissions who register as Remote Notaries with the Secretary of State. The notary must be physically located in Maryland during the act. Notaries must use an SOS-authorized RON vendor that provides two-way audio-visual recording and credential analysis for identity verification.
Additional Requirements
Must complete remote notary notification form and use approved RON vendor. Audio-visual recording of each remote notarial act must be retained for a minimum of 10 years. Maximum fee for remote online notarization is $30. Notaries must maintain a journal (paper with numbered pages or tamper-evident electronic format) and retain for 10 years.
Important Notes
What Makes Maryland Unique
Maryland requires state senator approval as part of the notary application process, which is unique among states.
Maryland requires state senator approval as part of the notary application process, which is unique among states.
No surety bond is required in Maryland, which is less common among states.
A notary journal (fair register) is mandatory - either a bound paper journal with permanently numbered pages or a secure tamper-evident electronic journal. Journals must be retained for 10 years.
Three character references are required (non-family, non-employer; Maryland residents preferred).
Notary fee schedule was updated effective January 22, 2024, raising the maximum to $8 per signature on the original/first copy.
Notaries may also charge mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate ($0.70/mile in 2025) plus up to $5 for travel.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
fees.max_fee_per_notarial_act
One source (Pro Stamps) stated the maximum fee as $5 per act, while the NNA fee schedule and Maryland Code of Regulations show $8 per signature effective January 22, 2024. The $8 figure from the NNA/COMAR is used as the authoritative current value.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in Maryland
Maryland requires 3 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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