How to Become a Pennsylvania Notary

To become a notary in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following qualifications:

• 18-years old or older
• Live in Pennsylvania or work at a location that has a physical address in Pennsylvania (not a P.O. Box)
• Be a good, morally upstanding character
• Within the five-years of the application date, you have not been committed or pled guilty to a nolo contendere (no contest)
• Within the five-years of the application date, you have not a notary commission revoked in Pennsylvania
• Pass the required notary education course/exam with a score of 75 or better

All Pennsylvania Notary applicants must take a 3-hour, state-approved training course. Notaries.com is a state approved provider of the course. You must take this course whether you are renewing your notary commission or applying for the first time. The course is taken online. Notaries.com application package comes with the required 3-hour course. For new notaries and renewing notaries who have let their commission lapse, you are required to sit for the notary exam and pass with a score of 75 or better.

At notaries.com you will purchase your notary bond, customized notary stamp and take the online notary education course. As you follow the prompts at notaries.com, you will provide the information that will also be required for your state notary commission. Once you have made your payment, you will be prompted to PRINT a copy of instructions that will guide you through the application process at the Pennsylvania Department of State's website. You will also have access to the online notary course. When you have completed the course, you will be prompted to save a copy of your Education Certificate to your computer to upload at the state's website when you complete their online application.

In approximately two weeks after you complete the notary application online at the Pennsylvania Department of State, you will receive an Approval to Test email from Pearson Vue. You will then register to sit for the exam at a location near you. Once you have passed the exam, the state will issue your NOTICE TO APPOINTEE letter and a blank NOTARY BOND. The letter will come to your BUSINESS address if you provided one on your application. AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE the Notice of Appointee letter and Bond, MAIL them directly to Notaries.com. The state allows 45 days for you to have the bond completed and then take it to the Recorder of Deeds to get sworn in. If you fail to appear at the Recorder of Deeds with your completed bond at the date given in the Notice to Appointee Letter, then your notary appointment will be voided and you will have to begin the process over again. DO NOT sign or complete any portion of the bond. The bond cannot be corrected in any way and any error on the bond will delay the application process. We will complete the bond and send it along with your Notice of Appointee Letter and your customized self-inking notary stamp to you using priority shipping. We highly recommend overnighting your Notice to Appointee letter and notary bond to us at:

Huckleberry Notary Bonding/Notaries.com
225 E Robinson St #570
Orlando, FL 32801

When you receive your completed bond, letter and stamp back from Notaries.com you will go to the Recorder of Deeds office of the county where your notary appointment is and get sworn in. If you have provided business information on your application, then the state will tie your notary to the county where the business is located. If you miss the 45-day deadline, your commission becomes null and void and you will have to begin the application process from the beginning, costing you extra time and additional fees. Once you have been sworn in, you can begin to notarize. Notaries.com will have provided you with everything you need in your duties as a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Items such as your:

• $10,000 Notary Bond
• Record book (Journal) and
• Customized Notary Stamp that meets or exceeds state requirements
• Optional Notary Errors and Omission Insurance