Commission FAQs

The Commission Process

I submitted my request to become or renew my commission. What is the status of my application?
What is Errors and Omissions Insurance? Do I need it?
But I already have a bond. Why do I need E&O insurance?
I ordered my seal stamp and/or embosser a long time ago. Where is it?
I did the required training. How can I get a copy of my certificate? How can I print a certificate?
My name and/or address have changed. What do I need to do now?
How do I get the results of my California Notary exam? I haven’t heard anything.

I submitted my request to become or renew my commission. What is the status of my application?

If you ordered a package for Florida or Texas, please see below for application time-frames. If you ordered for another state, you must submit the application to the state yourself. Review how to become a notary or renew.

Once received by the NNA, applications can take up to 5 business days to process and submit to the state if all required information is filled out properly. If any required information is missing or any mistakes present, we will contact you to correct the application and it will remain pending until we hear back from you. Once complete, we will forward your application to the proper state commissioning agency. You will receive your notary commission once the state has processed the application.

State Processing Time for Applications
Florida and Texas: 1-2 weeks

To check the status of your application, please contact our Support team at 1-800-US-NOTARY (1-800-876-6827) Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. PT or fill out the application status form and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

What is Errors and Omissions Insurance? Do I need it?

Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance is liability coverage designed to protect your personal and professional assets in the event you make a mistake during the notarial process that causes your client to suffer financial loss. It differs from your Notary Bond, which is designed to protect the public and places you at risk for liability. More information on E&O insurance »

But I already have a bond. Why do I need E&O insurance?

The Notary bond protects the public. If the surety company makes a payment on your claim, you are required to pay them back. The NNA's Notary E&O Insurance pays your claim and legal expenses up to your policy limit — you don't have to pay a deductible. Plus, it provides you with expert legal defense at no extra cost. More information on E&O insurance »

I ordered my seal stamp and/or embosser a long time ago. Where is it?

Additional information is often required to process a seal stamp or embosser. Please check here to ensure that you have submitted all the required information.

Once we receive all the required documentation, your seal will be produced and shipped within 2-3 business days.

How do I provide proof of my Signing Agent Certification to title companies and signing services?

Your Signing Agent Certification will be given once you pass your NSA Background Screening AND Certification Exam.

Providing Proof of Certification:

Log into your My NNA profile
Click on the My Signing Agent Profile link. You will see your personal direct link to your live SigningAgent.com profile at the bottom of the Profile Details Section.
Copy and paste this link and send through email to anyone asking for verification of your NNA Signing Agent Certification.
To print your SigningAgent.com profile details for your personal records, use the print button in the upper right hand corner of your profile page.

If you have any questions or issues, contact our Customer Care Department at 1-800-876-6827.

My name and/or address have changed. What do I need to do now?

Any time you change your name or address, it must be communicated to your state’s Notary Public authority as soon as possible. It is imperative that the state keep track of its Notaries so it knows the availability of notarial services for its residents.

Many states have statutes covering changes in your commission and often give a timeframe by which the Notary Public authority must be notified, e.g., 30 days after the move to a residence. If you’ve moved within your jurisdiction or if you have changed your name, you may also be required to re-file your bond and arrange to get a new seal. If the latter is the case, you may not be allowed to perform any notarizations until your new, correct seal arrives in your mailbox, so make sure you plan ahead to avoid any interruption in your ability to perform notarizations.

Some states will allow Notaries to retain their commission if they’ve moved to another state and continue to do business in the one where they have their commission. But don’t assume this is the case. If your state doesn’t allow this, you will have to resign your commission and get a new one in the state to which you have moved. Again, this may have to be handled in a specific manner and period of time.

If you have any questions about changes in your commission status, contact your Notary Public authority for guidance. But don't forget to let us know as well, so we can update your member record.

Florida Name Change
Any Notary Public who lawfully changes his/her name during the term of the commission must request an amended commission within 60 days after such change. Download the Amended Commission Request Notice of Name Change Form and follow the instructions to complete this state requirement for a lawful name change.

For an address change, use the Change of Address Form.

Pennsylvania Name Change

If you have changed your name during your commission term you need to notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth and Recorder of Deeds (in the county where your Notary business is located) within 30 days. Failure to do so may affect your commission renewal process.

How do I get the results of my California Notary exam? I haven’t heard anything.

The results of your exam are issued to you and to the Secretary of State, but do not come to the National Notary Association. Exam results should be received no later than 2 weeks following the exam. You can contact Cooperative Personnel Services to request the information. They can be reached by telephone Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm at 916-263-3520. You might also try emailing at notaryinfo@cpshr.us.

Following a successful exam it takes approximately 6-10 weeks to receive the commission packet with the Certificate of Authorization. You may inquire about the status of a pending application at the Business Programs Division of the Secretary of State at 916-653-3595.