OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Maryland Notary Public — Requirements & Free Practice

US-MD · License preparation

144 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Loading selected examination banks…

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Notary Public

Maryland notary public commission. Resident and eligible nonresident appointments are issued under the same four-year commission; remote and electronic authorizations depend on an existing Maryland commission.

Licensing authority: Governor of Maryland and Maryland Secretary of State · Application information

Authorization to begin notarial acts with electronic records
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing commission
Hold a Maryland notary public commission.
Notification
Before the initial electronic-record notarial act, notify the Secretary of State and identify the technology to be used.
Remote acts
Remote acts also require the separate remote notification and applicable remote technology requirements.
Technology
Select one or more tamper-evident technologies and comply with any applicable Secretary of State technology standards.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of appointment revoked for failure to qualify
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The Secretary of State may reinstate the appointment and commission for good cause shown. This restores the prior appointment under §18-103(d)(7); it is distinct from filing a new initial application.
Prior revocation
The appointment and commission was revoked under §18-103(d) for failure to qualify and pay fees within the required time.
Qualification
Complete the required qualification and pay prescribed fees for the reinstated commission.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial appointment — eligible nonresident
Maryland Notary Public Examination
Application
File the sworn application with the Secretary of State and pay the $25 processing fee.
Approval
Approval by the Secretary of State and a member of the Maryland Senate.
Character
Good moral character and integrity; disclose criminal convictions and civil judgments for the application review.
Commission term
The commission term is four years.
County of qualification
Qualify before a Maryland circuit court clerk; the application identifies the Maryland county of employment or practice.
Course of study
Complete an authorized notary course of study and submit the completion certificate.
Examination certificate
Pass the Maryland Notary Public Examination and submit the provider’s certificate of passing with the application.
Identity and references
Provide valid government-issued identification, any MVA change-of-address card needed to verify the home address, and contact information for three references.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Qualification
Following approval, qualify and take the oath before the appropriate circuit court clerk within 30 days of notice, paying the prescribed clerk fees.
Residence and work
Have a place of employment or practice in Maryland and reside in a state that permits Maryland residents working there to serve as notaries.
Service of process
Appointment irrevocably designates the Secretary of State as agent for service of process.
Initial appointment — Maryland resident
Maryland Notary Public Examination
Application
File the sworn application with the Secretary of State and pay the $25 processing fee.
Approval
Approval by the district senator, by any senator when that office is vacant, or by the Secretary of State when the senator has delegated approval authority.
Character
Good moral character and integrity; disclose criminal convictions and civil judgments for the application review.
Commission term
The commission term is four years.
Course of study
Complete an authorized notary course of study and submit the completion certificate.
Examination certificate
Pass the Maryland Notary Public Examination and submit the provider’s certificate of passing with the application.
Identity and references
Provide valid government-issued identification, any MVA change-of-address card needed to verify the home address, and contact information for three references.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Qualification
Following approval, qualify and take the oath before the appropriate circuit court clerk within 30 days of notice, paying the prescribed clerk fees.
Residence
Reside in Maryland and in the senatorial district from which appointed.
Reissuance of commission under changed legal name
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing commission
Hold a Maryland notary public commission and notify the Secretary of State of the name change within 30 days.
Fees and oath
Pay the $5 application fee and $1 service fee, then appear before the circuit court clerk and pay the clerk’s fees to be sworn in.
Request
Select reissuance and re-swearing under the new name when updating the notary information online.
Stamping device
Obtain a stamping device showing the new commissioned name.
Term
The new-name commission expires on the same date as the current commission; it does not confer a new four-year term. Once sworn in under the new name, the previous commission is no longer valid.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after revocation for failure to qualify
Maryland Notary Public Examination
Application
File the sworn application with the Secretary of State and pay the $25 processing fee.
Character
Good moral character and integrity; disclose criminal convictions and civil judgments for the application review.
Commission term
The commission term is four years.
Course of study
Complete an authorized notary course of study and submit the completion certificate.
Examination certificate
Pass the Maryland Notary Public Examination and submit the provider’s certificate of passing with the application.
Identity and references
Provide valid government-issued identification, any MVA change-of-address card needed to verify the home address, and contact information for three references.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Prior revocation
The commission was revoked because the applicant did not appear and take the oath within 30 days; the new-application instructions require reapplication and another application fee.
Qualification
Following approval, qualify and take the oath before the appropriate circuit court clerk within 30 days of notice, paying the prescribed clerk fees.
Residence
Meet the resident or eligible nonresident conditions of §18-102 and obtain the corresponding approval.
New appointment after missing renewal window
Maryland Notary Public Examination
Application
File the sworn application with the Secretary of State and pay the $25 processing fee.
Character
Good moral character and integrity; disclose criminal convictions and civil judgments for the application review.
Commission term
The commission term is four years.
Course of study
Complete an authorized notary course of study and submit the completion certificate.
Examination certificate
Pass the Maryland Notary Public Examination and submit the provider’s certificate of passing with the application.
Identity and references
Provide valid government-issued identification, any MVA change-of-address card needed to verify the home address, and contact information for three references.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Prior commission
More than 30 days have elapsed since expiration; the Secretary of State FAQ directs a new application.
Qualification
Following approval, qualify and take the oath before the appropriate circuit court clerk within 30 days of notice, paying the prescribed clerk fees.
Residence
Meet the resident or eligible nonresident conditions of §18-102 and obtain the corresponding approval.
Authorization for remote acts using an authorized remote online notary vendor
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
The Secretary of State confirms authorization after a completed form with an authorized vendor.
Duration
Remote authority expires with the notary commission; submit a new notification upon renewal.
Existing commission
Be a currently commissioned Maryland notary public in good standing.
Notification
Submit the remote notary notification form before performing remote acts and identify the authorized vendor or vendors.
Technology and records
Use compliant communication technology, identify persons present, and create and retain audiovisual recordings for at least 10 years.
Vendor training
The vendor must train the notary in using its technology under COMAR 01.02.08.05C(1).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Authorization for remote acts without identity proofing and credential analysis
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Remote authority expires with the notary commission; submit a new notification upon renewal.
Existing commission
Be a currently commissioned Maryland notary public in good standing.
Identification
Acknowledge that the signer must be identified by personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence from a credible witness under §18-206 and §18-214.
Notification
Submit the prescribed remote notification form before performing remote acts using other communication technology.
Technology and records
Use compliant communication technology and retain audiovisual recordings for at least 10 years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of remote authority following renewal of commission
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Remote authority expires with the underlying commission.
Notification
Submit a new remote notary notification form upon renewal, identifying any authorized remote vendor used or acknowledging the personal-knowledge or credible-witness identification method.
Renewed commission
Hold a renewed Maryland notary public commission in good standing. Ordinary commission renewal has its own course requirement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of existing commission
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, valid identification and any necessary address card; disclose criminal convictions and civil judgments; pay the $25 processing fee.
Conflicting faq statement
{"source":{"carrierClass":"implementation","checkedAt":"2026-10-04","locator":"Who may apply for appointment as a notary public? — item 5","name":"Maryland Secretary of State faq","quote":"5. effective October 1, 2021: all new notary applicants, must complete a Course of Study and pass an examination; all renewal applicants, must complete a Course of Study and pass an examination.","sourceFile":{"sha256":"574774aac7e562e2d69eadae483a82c96a56357615b2bba7ad8c0e4dec77d18c"},"url":"https://sos.maryland.gov/Notary/Pages/FAQ.aspx","version":"Official Maryland Secretary of State requirements pinned August 31, 2026"},"value":"The lower-ranked FAQ’s eligibility answer also demands an examination from renewal applicants. The controlling §18-102(a)(4)(ii) and the dedicated renewal instructions require a course; this contrary FAQ statement is retained for the applicant."}
Course of study
Complete an authorized course and submit a certificate of completion. Section 18-102(a)(4)(ii) requires the course for renewal, rather than the initial applicant’s examination.
Eligibility
Continue to meet §18-102 age, character, and resident or eligible nonresident requirements.
Qualification
Qualify and take the oath before the appropriate circuit court clerk within 30 days after the renewal notice, paying prescribed clerk fees.
Window
Renew beginning 60 days before expiration and up to 30 days after expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Maryland Notary Public Examination

Provider
Secretary of State-authorized course of study and examination providers
Format
Multiple-choice examination; four choices and one correct answer per question
Exam questions
At least 20 questions
Passing score
At least 80 percent correct
Examination outline
  • State Government Article, Title 18 — Notaries Public
  • COMAR 01.02.08 — Notary Public: General Regulations
Examination sources