Learning how to become a notary in Pennsylvania is more involved than in many other states — but the process is clear once you know the steps. Pennsylvania requires education, an exam, a bond, an oath of office, and a commission from the Secretary of State's office. The whole process typically takes four to eight weeks from start to finish.
This guide walks through every requirement, explains what each step costs, and points you to the right resources to make sure you pass the Pennsylvania Notary exam on your first attempt.
Before you start the process, make sure you meet Pennsylvania's eligibility requirements:
Pennsylvania doesn't require you to be a citizen or permanent resident, but you must be able to permanently reside or work in the state during your four-year commission term.
Pennsylvania requires all new notary applicants to complete a 3-hour education course from a provider approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State. This requirement applies to first-time applicants — renewals are not required to repeat the education if they completed it for their previous commission (though rules can change, so verify at renewal time).
Approved education providers include several online options, which is convenient since you can complete the course at your own pace. The course covers Pennsylvania notary law, proper notarial procedures, avoiding unauthorized practice of law, and journal requirements. Expect to spend $30–$80 on the course depending on the provider.
After completing your education, you'll need to pass a written exam administered through the Pennsylvania Department of State. The exam is based on the material covered in your approved education course.
The Pennsylvania Notary Exam covers:
You should take the exam seriously — it covers real legal knowledge, not just common sense. Study your course materials, then practice with free PA Notary practice tests that cover the exact topics on the exam.
Pennsylvania requires all notaries to obtain a $10,000 surety bond before their commission is issued. This bond protects the public if a notary causes financial harm through negligence or misconduct. It doesn't protect the notary — it protects the public.
Surety bonds for Pennsylvania notaries typically cost $30–$75 for the four-year commission term. You can purchase them through insurance companies, surety bond providers, or some notary supply companies. Shop around — prices vary but the bond amount and requirements are standardized by the state.
Don't confuse a surety bond with errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. A bond pays out to injured third parties. E&O insurance covers the notary's legal defense costs. Many Pennsylvania notaries carry both — the bond is required, E&O is optional but recommended.
Once you've completed your education, passed the exam, and obtained your surety bond, you apply for your notary commission through the Pennsylvania Department of State. As of 2024, the application fee is $42.
The application requires:
Applications can be submitted online through the PA Department of State's Notary Online system. Processing time is typically two to four weeks, though it can take longer during peak periods.
After your commission is approved, you'll receive your commission certificate. Before you can perform any notarial acts, you must take an oath of office before a Pennsylvania judge or prothonotary (the chief clerk of courts). This step must happen within 45 days of your commission date — miss this window and your commission is void.
Contact your county court of common pleas to schedule your oath. The process is quick — usually just a few minutes. After taking your oath, the court will record it and return your commission certificate.
Pennsylvania notaries are required to use an official notary seal (stamp or embosser) and maintain a journal of notarial acts. These are purchases you make independently after your commission is issued.
Pennsylvania allows remote online notarization — performing notarial acts for signers who are not physically present using audio-visual technology. If you want to offer RON services, you need to register with the Department of State separately and use a DOE-approved RON platform.
RON adds a meaningful income stream for Pennsylvania notaries, especially for real estate signings, estate documents, and business contracts where signers are located out of state or country. Getting RON-certified takes additional training but the process uses many of the same legal foundations you already learned for in-person notarization.
Here's what to budget for the full process:
Total: approximately $137–$277 to get fully commissioned and equipped. This is a one-time setup cost — renewals typically cost less since you already have your supplies.
The Pennsylvania notary commission guide covers PA notary services and commission maintenance after you're sworn in. Understanding ongoing requirements now — like journal upkeep and commission renewal — prevents problems down the road.
The PA Notary exam isn't one you can walk into cold. It tests specific legal knowledge — the kind that matters when you're handling real documents with legal consequences. A wrong answer on the exam is fixable; a wrong notarial act in practice can invalidate a document or expose you to liability.
Study the Pennsylvania RULONA (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) and the specific rules around acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and affirmations. Pay particular attention to journal requirements — Pennsylvania's journal rules are detailed and commonly tested. Review the prohibited acts section carefully, because those questions require you to know not just what notaries can do, but what they absolutely cannot do.
After studying your course materials, practice with topic-specific PA Notary e-notarization practice tests and bond and oath practice tests to reinforce the highest-tested areas. Give yourself at least a week of daily 15–20 minute practice sessions before sitting for the real exam. Candidates who practice regularly report feeling much more confident on exam day — and that confidence translates directly to better performance.