Notary Public
South Carolina
Notary Public Commission Requirements
10 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedConfirm you are a registered voter in South Carolina (verify voter registration number with County Board of Elections)
Complete the paper Notary Public Application and Renewal Application form
Have the application signed with pen and ink and acknowledged (notarized) by a person authorized to administer oaths
Mail the completed application to your county's legislative delegation office (or House of Representatives if no delegation office in your county)
Pay $25 application fee to SC Secretary of State (check, money order, or electronic payment via emailed link)
County delegation verifies voter registration, endorses, and forwards to Secretary of State
Notary is appointed by the Governor and commissioned by the Secretary of State
Receive commission certificate from the Secretary of State
File commission with county clerk within 15 days and pay $10 county recording fee
Purchase notary seal/stamp
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a registered voter in South Carolina, which requires South Carolina residency.
Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen (required for voter registration in South Carolina, which is a prerequisite for notary commission)
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo education or training required. The Secretary of State highly recommends attending workshops on a yearly basis.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required for basic notary commission.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredSouth Carolina notaries are not required to purchase a surety bond.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredOptional. Not required by law but available for voluntary purchase.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredInk stamp or embosser acceptable. Must include notary's name as on commission, 'Notary Public', 'State of South Carolina', and commission expiration date (optional). Circular or rectangular format permitted for rubber stamps.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $25 |
Bond Premium Bond not required in South Carolina | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Approximate cost; purchased from private vendors or office supply stores | $30 |
Total Estimated Cost $25 application + $30 seal + $10 county recording fee | $65-$70 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
10 years
Renewal Process
Commissions are not automatically renewed; notary will not receive notice from the Secretary of State. Should begin renewal process 8-12 weeks prior to expiration. Submit renewal application through same process as new commission.
Renewal Fee
$25
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
South Carolina does not allow remote online notarization (RON) as of 2025.
Important Notes
What Makes South Carolina Unique
South Carolina uniquely requires voter registration as a prerequisite for notary commission, making it one of the only states that effectively limits the office to U.S. citizens. The 10-year commission term is among the longest in the country. The application goes through the county legislative delegation and the Governor appoints notaries.
South Carolina is unique in requiring applicants to be registered voters, which implies U.S. citizenship and SC residency.
Notaries are appointed by the Governor - one of the few states with gubernatorial appointment.
The 10-year commission term is among the longest in the nation.
No bond, education, or exam is required - one of the least restrictive states.
Notary journals are not required but are strongly encouraged by the SOS.
Must notify SOS within 45 days of any name or address change via Change of Status Request.
Maximum notarial fee: $5 per act for traditional, $10 for electronic notarization.