Renew as a Pennsylvania Notary

Renew Your Pennsylvania Notary Commission

Click here for Pennsylvania Notary Requirements

18 years of age
Resident of, or employed in, the Commonwealth with an actual physical business address rather than a post office box
Must read, write and understand English
Be of good character, integrity and ability
No conviction of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, felony or lesser offense incompatible with Notary duties
Not had Notary commission revoked in any state in past five years

Renew as a Pennsylvania Notary in 3 Steps:

1. Obtain your state-required supplies and complete your training

Training is required if you did NOT hold an active commission on July 1, 2003

2. Complete your Pennsylvania Notary application

Download your Pennsylvania Notary Public application here. Complete your application to renew as a Notary in Pennsylvania and forward it to the NNA with a copy of your Certificate of Training. Your $40 state application fee is included with your package. A separate check is not required. You can fax your application to us at 1-866-876-6827.

3. Renew as a Pennsylvania Notary

We'll also review your application for errors and pay your state fee. The NNA will then electronically transmit your application to the state for processing.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions on how to become a Pennsylvania Notary Public. For instructions on how to complete the application to become a Pennsylvania Notary Public, click here. Self employed Notaries can use these instructions.

Your Complete Satisfaction is Guaranteed

Trusted by state commissioning authorities since 1957, the NNA is a leader in serving and educating Pennsylvania's Notaries.

Questions? Give us a call!

1-800-876-6827

Become or Renew PA Notary - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is the process for becoming a Pennsylvania Notary?

A: At least 4 to 6 weeks for new Notary Public applications. For reappointment, Notaries must apply 2-3 months prior to the expiration of a commission.

Q: When completing the application, should Notaries include their home address or work address?

A: Notaries intending to perform notarial acts on behalf of their employer should indicate both home and employment addresses on the application for appointment or reappointment. If the applicant is self-employed and performing as a Notary from a home address, the applicant should only list their home address. The state will mail commission paperwork to the business address on the application if both employment and home addresses are provided.

Out-of-state applicants who work in Pennsylvania are required to list their home and work addresses. The state will print and mail all information to the applicant's work address in PA.

**Note: It is important to correctly complete the municipality section of the Pennsylvania Notary Public application. Ensure the municipality information is accurate before submitting.

Q: What if my name changes during my commission term?

A: In the event that a Notary Public's name changes during the commission term, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and Recorder of Deeds (of the county where the Notary Public's business address is located) should be notified of the change within 30 days. The Notary can continue to use the name under which he or she was commissioned or can use the new name after notifying the proper authorities. Applications for reappointment must be made in the new name.

Name changes can be made online here:
https://www.notaryreg.pa.gov/Pages/NotaryChangeApplication.aspx

Your renewal application will be accepted unless the name on file with the state matches the name on your application.

Before using the new name on notarial work, the Notary Public is required to notify the recorder of deeds that the new name will be used, register the new signature with the prothonotary, purchase a new rubber seal stamp and inform the Department of State of the decision to utilize the new name.

Q: Are endorsements on applications required?

A: Yes, but the NNA takes care of this for you. The application must be endorsed by the state senator of the district in which the applicant resides, or in the case of a nonresident employed in Pennsylvania, be endorsed by the senator of the district in which the applicant is employed. The NNA submits your application electronically to the Commonwealth, and all state senators are set up to then electronically endorse our Notary applications.

Q: What is the educational training required?

A: As a condition for initial appointment AND reappointment, Notaries Public are required to complete a three-hour preapproved Notary Public education course within six months immediately preceding application. However, all Notaries Public who held active commissions on or before July 1, 2003 are not required to complete approved Notary education upon their reappointment.

Q: How long is the appointment term?

A: The Notary Public commission expires four years after the date of appointment. At the end of that term, the Notary Public may be appointed to another four-year term. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms that may be served.

Q: Are Pennsylvania Notaries required to keep a journal of records?

A: Every Notary Public must keep and maintain custody and control of an accurate chronological register of all official acts. The register must contain the date of the act, the character or type of the notarial act, the date and the parties to the instrument, and the amount of the fee collected. Each notarization performed by the Notary must be indicated separately.

Q: Are seals required?

A: Notaries Public commissioned in Pennsylvania are required to use a rubber seal stamp for all notarial acts on paper. Notaries may use an embosser in addition to the rubber stamp seal; however, the embosser is optional.

Q: What is the minimum bond requirement for Pennsylvania Notaries?

A: Within 45 days after his/her appointment, the appointee is required to execute a $10,000 bond, register his/her signature with the prothonotary of the county where the office is located, take and subscribe the constitutional oath of office, and record the bond, commission and oath of office in the recorder of deeds office. If all of these requirements are not met within the 45-day period, the commission becomes null and void and the application process must begin again.

Your 45-day deadline date is shown at the bottom of your "Notice to Appointee". If you have ordered from the NNA, either email the Notice to Appointee and Bond forms to us at releasing@nationalnotary.org, or fax to 1-800-833-1211 as soon as you receive your packet. We will execute your bond and manufacture your seal stamp and send them to you within 2-3 business days.

Q: How does the state required bond differ from Errors & Omissions Insurance?

A: The executed bond is for the protection of the Notary Public's customer only and a Notary Public must repay any amount paid out on his/her behalf to the surety company. A Notary Public may also purchase errors and omissions insurance for their own protection in the event that the Notary commits a negligent act or makes an error or omission while acting in his/her official capacity.