Notary Public
Pennsylvania
Notary Public Commission Requirements
Governing Authority
Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation
Official website →4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
3 hours
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
UNVERIFIED
$10,000 (increasing to $25,000 on March 28, 2026)
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedComplete a 3-hour pre-approved notary education course from a state-approved provider (within 6 months of applying)
Pass the notary public exam administered by Pearson VUE (first-time applicants only; unlimited attempts within 6 months)
Submit online application via the Department of State Notaries portal (notaries.pa.gov) with $42 fee
Upload proof of education and answer background questions
Wait for appointment approval (typically 2-4 weeks processing)
Upon appointment, obtain a surety bond ($10,000, or $25,000 if appointed on/after March 28, 2026)
Take the official oath of office, register your signature, and record your bond within 45 days of appointment
Purchase a notary seal/stamp and journal
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must reside in or have a place of employment or practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required3 hours
Must complete a mandatory 3-hour notary education course from a state-approved provider within six months before submitting the application. Covers state statutes, regulations, procedures, and ethics.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredFirst-time applicants must pass the official notary exam administered by Pearson VUE. Covers state statutes, regulations, procedures, and ethics. Applicants have six months to pass with unlimited attempts. Renewing notaries with no lapse in commission are exempt from the exam.
Passing score: UNVERIFIED
Administered by: Pearson VUE
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$10,000 (increasing to $25,000 on March 28, 2026)
Must obtain a 4-year surety bond from a state-qualified company. Currently $10,000, but effective March 28, 2026, the required bond amount increases to $25,000 for anyone appointed on or after that date. Active bonds at the lower amount remain valid until their expiration.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required by Pennsylvania law but is recommended for liability protection.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredInked rectangular rubber stamp no larger than 3.5" x 1". Must contain: 'Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Notary Seal,' 'Notary Public,' notary's name, county, commission expiration date, and seven-digit identification number from the Department of State.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $42 |
Bond Premium Premium cost for 4-year $10,000 surety bond. Will likely increase when bond amount rises to $25,000 in March 2026. | $30 (typical) |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; prices vary. | $30 |
Education Course Typical cost for 3-hour approved education course. | $85 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes training ($85), application ($42), exam ($65), bond ($30), recording/oath ($32-$106), seal ($30), journal ($30-$55). | $314-$413 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application online. Must complete 3-hour education course again. Renewing notaries with no lapse are exempt from the exam. Must obtain new surety bond. Must complete oath, signature registration, and bond recording within 45 days of appointment.
Renewal Fee
$42
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Pennsylvania permits RON under Act 97 of 2020, which made remote online notarization a permanent part of Pennsylvania law effective October 29, 2020. The notary must be physically in Pennsylvania during RON, though the signer can be anywhere (with conditions for foreign signers).
Additional Requirements
Must be currently commissioned and notify/apply to the Department of State for electronic/remote notarization authorization. Must identify intended Department-approved RON technology provider. Personal appearance is satisfied by live, two-way audio-visual communication on an approved platform. Eligible document types include acknowledgments, jurats, and oaths/affirmations. Some documents (wills, certain real estate deeds) may not qualify for RON. No additional bonding required beyond the standard $10,000 bond.
Important Notes
What Makes Pennsylvania Unique
Pennsylvania's surety bond amount is increasing from $10,000 to $25,000 on March 28, 2026 - one of the largest recent bond increases among U.S. states. The state uses Pearson VUE for exam administration (same vendor used for many professional licensing exams). PA follows RULONA, making it one of the more modernized notary law frameworks. The 45-day window to complete oath/bond recording is strictly enforced.
Pennsylvania follows the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA).
IMPORTANT: Bond amount increases from $10,000 to $25,000 effective March 28, 2026.
Oath, signature registration, and bond recording must be completed within 45 days of appointment date.
Cannot hold certain federal/state positions while serving as a notary.
Exam fee is $65, administered by Pearson VUE.
Pennsylvania refers to itself as a 'Commonwealth' rather than 'State' in all official notary documents.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
exam_passing_score
The specific passing score for the Pennsylvania notary exam was not explicitly stated in sources consulted. While the exam is confirmed as administered by Pearson VUE, the exact passing threshold was not verified.
Marked passing_score as UNVERIFIED. The exam is confirmed as required with details about administration.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires 3 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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