Notary Public
Tennessee
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
$10,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedMeet all eligibility requirements (age 18+, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, Tennessee resident or maintain principal place of business in county)
Obtain and complete a notary application from your county clerk's office
Submit the application with the required fee to the county clerk
Be elected by the county legislative body (county commission) in the county where you reside or maintain your principal place of business
After election, the Secretary of State prepares the commission and the Governor signs it
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond for a 4-year term
File the bond with the county clerk (includes a $2 recording fee)
Take the oath of office at the county clerk's office
Pick up your commission from the county clerk
Purchase an official notary seal (circular rubber stamp)
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years or older years old
Residency
Must reside in or maintain a principal place of business in the Tennessee county where applying
Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
Background Check
Applicants cannot have convictions for 'infamous' crimes such as bribery or larceny (unless citizenship rights have been restored). They also cannot have had a notary commission revoked for misconduct, cannot have unpaid judgments for money collected officially, and cannot have treasury defaults.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredTennessee does not require any mandatory education or training courses to become a notary public.
Exam
Not RequiredTennessee does not require an exam to become a notary public.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$10,000
A $10,000 surety bond for a 4-year term is required. The bond must be obtained after being approved/elected as a notary and filed with the County Clerk. A $2 recording fee applies when filing the bond.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredErrors and omissions insurance is not required but is recommended.
Seal / Stamp
Requiredrubber stamp
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $12-$47 (varies by county; base state filing fee is approximately $12) |
Bond Premium | $40-$60 (typical cost for $10,000 surety bond) |
Stamp / Seal | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost | $72-$150 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Apply for reappointment through your county clerk's office before the commission expires. Must be re-elected by the county legislative body. Obtain a new $10,000 surety bond for the new 4-year term.
Renewal Fee
$12-$47 (varies by county, similar to initial application)
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote online notarization has been legal in Tennessee since July 1, 2019 under the Online Notary Public Act. An active traditional notary commission is required first. Online notaries must maintain an electronic recordbook of all online notarial acts.
Additional Requirements
Online notaries must use approved technology platforms, create audio-visual recordings, and perform identity proofing. A separate online notary registration is required through the Secretary of State's office.
Important Notes
What Makes Tennessee Unique
Tennessee notaries are elected by the county legislative body (county commission), making it one of the few states with this process.
Tennessee notaries are elected by the county legislative body (county commission), making it one of the few states with this process.
A notary's authority is valid throughout the entire state of Tennessee, not just the county of election.
A journal/recordbook is required only if the notary or the notary's employer charges a fee for notarial services.
Tennessee does not have a fixed maximum fee schedule for traditional notarizations -- notaries can charge what they consider reasonable.
Tennessee notaries can solemnize marriages.
Must be able to read and write English.