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Pennsylvania Notary Public — Requirements & Free Practice

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Notary Public

Four-year Department commission under 57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3. Initial appointment, uninterrupted renewal, renewal after lapse and reapplication after an unperfected appointment are distinguished in Chapter 167. Electronic and remote authorizations are supplementary capabilities of an existing commission, represented as secondary authorization routes.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania Department of State · Application information

Electronic notarization authorization for an existing commissioned notary
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approved Technology
Select and use a Department-approved electronic notarization technology provider; coordinate acquisition and activation with the provider (4 Pa. Code § 167.82; official Steps 3–6).
Authorization End
Authorization is tied to the current commission and availability of the approved technology (official Steps 2 and 6).
Changes And Reauthorization
Notify on addition or deletion of a provider and at the beginning of each new commission; repeat the procedure for each four-year commission (4 Pa. Code § 167.81(3); official Steps 1–6).
Existing Commission
Hold a current and unrestricted Pennsylvania notary commission; this procedure adds capabilities during the existing commission rather than issuing a separate commission (official Steps 1–2).
Location
Remain located in Pennsylvania when performing the notarial act (4 Pa. Code § 167.41; 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(b) for remote acts).
Notification
Before acting, notify the Department electronically at www.notaries.pa.gov and identify each intended technology (4 Pa. Code § 167.81).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-28.

Initial appointment and commission
Pennsylvania Notary Examination
Applicant Status
An applicant who has never held a notary commission in Pennsylvania, including an applicant holding a commission elsewhere (4 Pa. Code § 167.11(b)).
Application
Submit and sign the prescribed application with the required education certificate and $42 nonrefundable fee (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(b); 4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11–167.12).
Authorization Before Testing
The Department must approve the application before testing (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(b)).
Basic Education
Complete at least three hours of Department-approved basic education in the six months immediately before applying; provide the certificate (57 Pa.C.S. § 322(b); 4 Pa. Code § 167.11(b)(6)).
Character
Not be disqualified under 57 Pa.C.S. § 323(a); the Department assesses honesty, integrity, competence and reliability.
Citizenship
Be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(2)).
Commission Completion
Within 45 days of appointment, obtain the $25,000 surety bond, take the oath, record the bond, oath and commission with the proper recorder of deeds, and register the official signature in the proper county office (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.16–167.18).
Commission Term
Four years (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e)).
English Literacy
Be able to read and write English (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(4)).
Minimum Age
Be at least 18 years old (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(1)).
Online Attempt
The Department permits one OnVUE attempt; subsequent attempts must be at an approved Pearson VUE testing center (Examination Requirement page).
Passing Score
A scaled score of at least 75 (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(d)(1)).
Residence Or Workplace
Reside in Pennsylvania or have a place of employment or practice in Pennsylvania; a nonresident must maintain an ongoing office at an established Pennsylvania location where mail can be received (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11(c), 167.12(d)).
Score Validity
Results are valid for one year from the examination date (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(d)(2)).
Testing Window
Pass within the six-month authorization period; retakes are permitted no more than once in 24 hours (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(c)).
Reapplication after failure to perfect appointment
Pennsylvania Notary Examination
Applicant Status
An appointee whose commission became null and void for failing to record the bond, oath and commission or register the official signature within 45 days; reapply under the lapsed-commission requirements of 4 Pa. Code § 167.13.
Application
Submit and sign the prescribed application with the required education certificate and $42 nonrefundable fee (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(b); 4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11–167.12).
Authorization Before Testing
The Department must approve the application before testing (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(b)).
Basic Education
Complete at least three hours of Department-approved basic education in the six months immediately before applying; provide the certificate (57 Pa.C.S. § 322(b); 4 Pa. Code § 167.11(b)(6)).
Character
Not be disqualified under 57 Pa.C.S. § 323(a); the Department assesses honesty, integrity, competence and reliability.
Citizenship
Be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(2)).
Commission Completion
Within 45 days of appointment, obtain the $25,000 surety bond, take the oath, record the bond, oath and commission with the proper recorder of deeds, and register the official signature in the proper county office (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.16–167.18).
Commission Term
Four years (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e)).
English Literacy
Be able to read and write English (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(4)).
Minimum Age
Be at least 18 years old (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(1)).
Online Attempt
The Department permits one OnVUE attempt; subsequent attempts must be at an approved Pearson VUE testing center (Examination Requirement page).
Passing Score
A scaled score of at least 75 (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(d)(1)).
Residence Or Workplace
Reside in Pennsylvania or have a place of employment or practice in Pennsylvania; a nonresident must maintain an ongoing office at an established Pennsylvania location where mail can be received (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11(c), 167.12(d)).
Score Validity
Results are valid for one year from the examination date (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(d)(2)).
Testing Window
Pass within the six-month authorization period; retakes are permitted no more than once in 24 hours (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(c)).
Remote notarization authorization for an existing commissioned notary
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approved Technology
Select and use a Department-approved remote notarization technology provider; coordinate acquisition and activation with the provider (4 Pa. Code § 167.82; official Steps 3–6).
Authorization End
Authorization is tied to the current commission and availability of the approved technology (official Steps 2 and 6).
Changes And Reauthorization
Notify on addition or deletion of a provider and at the beginning of each new commission; repeat the procedure for each four-year commission (4 Pa. Code § 167.81(3); official Steps 1–6).
Existing Commission
Hold a current and unrestricted Pennsylvania notary commission; this procedure adds capabilities during the existing commission rather than issuing a separate commission (official Steps 1–2).
Location
Remain located in Pennsylvania when performing the notarial act (4 Pa. Code § 167.41; 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(b) for remote acts).
Notification
Before acting, notify the Department electronically at www.notaries.pa.gov and identify each intended technology (4 Pa. Code § 167.81).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-28.

Reappointment after lapse or expiration
Pennsylvania Notary Examination
Applicant Status
A former Pennsylvania notary whose commission has expired when the Department receives the renewal application; even a one-day lapse triggers the examination requirement.
Application
Submit and sign the prescribed application with the required education certificate and $42 nonrefundable fee (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(b); 4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11–167.12).
Authorization Before Testing
The Department must approve the application before testing (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(b)).
Basic Education
Complete at least three hours of Department-approved basic education in the six months immediately before applying; provide the certificate (57 Pa.C.S. § 322(b); 4 Pa. Code § 167.11(b)(6)).
Character
Not be disqualified under 57 Pa.C.S. § 323(a); the Department assesses honesty, integrity, competence and reliability.
Citizenship
Be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(2)).
Commission Completion
Within 45 days of appointment, obtain the $25,000 surety bond, take the oath, record the bond, oath and commission with the proper recorder of deeds, and register the official signature in the proper county office (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.16–167.18).
Commission Term
Four years (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e)).
English Literacy
Be able to read and write English (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(4)).
Minimum Age
Be at least 18 years old (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(1)).
Online Attempt
The Department permits one OnVUE attempt; subsequent attempts must be at an approved Pearson VUE testing center (Examination Requirement page).
Passing Score
A scaled score of at least 75 (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(d)(1)).
Residence Or Workplace
Reside in Pennsylvania or have a place of employment or practice in Pennsylvania; a nonresident must maintain an ongoing office at an established Pennsylvania location where mail can be received (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11(c), 167.12(d)).
Score Validity
Results are valid for one year from the examination date (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(d)(2)).
Testing Window
Pass within the six-month authorization period; retakes are permitted no more than once in 24 hours (4 Pa. Code § 167.15(c)).
Renewal of appointment and commission without lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant Status
Hold a current Pennsylvania commission when the Department receives the renewal application.
Application
Submit and sign the prescribed application with the required education certificate and $42 nonrefundable fee (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(b); 4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11–167.12).
Character
Not be disqualified under 57 Pa.C.S. § 323(a); the Department assesses honesty, integrity, competence and reliability.
Citizenship
Be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(2)).
Commission Completion
Within 45 days of appointment, obtain the $25,000 surety bond, take the oath, record the bond, oath and commission with the proper recorder of deeds, and register the official signature in the proper county office (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.16–167.18).
Commission Term
Four years (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(e)).
Continuing Education
Complete at least three hours of Department-approved continuing education in the six months immediately before applying and provide the certificate (57 Pa.C.S. § 322(c); 4 Pa. Code § 167.12(b)(6)).
English Literacy
Be able to read and write English (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(4)).
Filing Window
Submit before expiration; application may be submitted up to 90 days before expiration (4 Pa. Code § 167.12(c)).
Minimum Age
Be at least 18 years old (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)(1)).
Residence Or Workplace
Reside in Pennsylvania or have a place of employment or practice in Pennsylvania; a nonresident must maintain an ongoing office at an established Pennsylvania location where mail can be received (4 Pa. Code §§ 167.11(c), 167.12(d)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-28.

Pennsylvania Notary Examination

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Proctored computer-based examination; testing center or one permitted OnVUE attempt
Exam questions
30 multiple-choice items: 25 scored and 5 unscored pretest items
Time limit
60 minutes
Passing score
Scaled score of 75
Exam fee
$65 per attempt
Examination outline
  • Obtaining Notary Commission
    • Purchase a $25,000 surety bond in order to protect customer from financial loss.
    • Take the oath of office before the recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment.
    • Provide official signature at prothonotary office or the recorder of deeds office within 45 days of appointment so that acts of the notary can be authenticated.
    • Obtain an official stamping device that meets the requirements of the law in order to authenticate notarial acts performed.
    • Obtain a journal in order to create a public record for every notarial act performed.
  • Performing Notarial Acts (Paper-based, Electronically, or Remotely)
    • Ensure the customer appears physically or remotely before the notary, properly identify the person, and assess comprehension and willingness in order to protect against fraud.
    • Examine the document to be notarized to assess document completeness, determine the named signer, and assess if the notarial certificate is present and sufficient.
    • Advise the customer of any fees for the notarial act and provide itemized receipts.
    • Contemporaneously record all required information for the notarial act in the journal to create a chronological compliant public record.
    • Perform the requested notarial act in order to fulfill the customer's intended purpose.
    • Complete, sign and affix the official stamp on the notarial certificate to evidence the notarial act.
  • Notary Commission Management and Compliance
    • Report any changes in the notary's information or status to the Pennsylvania Department of State within the specified time period in order to keep the Department informed.
    • Keep the stamping device and journal in a secure location in order to maintain custody and control, and prevent loss or fraudulent use.
    • Keep the mandatory surety bond in full force and effect in order to protect customer from financial loss.
    • Recognize prohibited acts and grounds for disciplinary action.
Examination sources