How to become a notary in Maryland

Get everything you need with a full Maryland Notary Package.

The term of a Maryland Notary commission is four years.

The cost to become a Notary in Maryland ranges between $110 to $178, depending on where you purchase your Notary supplies.

The Maryland Secretary of State recommends allowing four to six weeks to process a Notary Public commission application.

A Notary Public applicant in Maryland must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be known of good moral character, integrity and abilities
• Reside in or have a place of employment or practice in Maryland

Provide three references to attest to your character. They cannot be family members or employers. Maryland residents are preferred.

Applicants must take a Notary training course approved by the Secretary of State and pass an exam. The course will cover Notary laws, regulations and ethics relevant to notarial acts.

Maryland also provides a Notary Public Handbook that outlines the proper procedures for notarizing a document and makes for a great reference.

Complete the Notary Public Application online. You’ll need the following when completing your application:

1. Legislative district where you reside
2. Copy of your driver’s license or other valid government-issued ID
3. MVA Change of Address Card
4. Contact information for three references
5. Copy of the certificate of course completion
6. Copy of the certificate of exam passing

For more information, visit the Maryland SOS website.

The Division will forward your application to your state senator for endorsement.

If the senator approves, your application will be returned to the Secretary of State whereupon your appointment will be made upon approval by the Governor. They will send your Notary commission to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office.

The Secretary of State's office will email you to appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office to take your oath and pay the $11 fee. This step must be completed within 30 days.

Your commission certificate will then be emailed to you.

Maryland Notaries are required to get an official stamp and journal.

The stamp may be an embosser or inked rubber stamp, and it must contain the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your commission
• Your office
• The county in which you reside or were qualified
• Your commission expiration date (optional)
• Any other information required by the Secretary of State

Your commission expiration date may be included in your seal or on a certificate of the notarial act you complete and sign. In addition, the Notary stamp must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached.

You may only maintain one journal at a time. Journals may be in a paper or electronic format. The Secretary of State requires paper-bound journals to feature numbered pages and electronic journals to be tamper-evident and compliant with SOS regulations. You must store all journals for 10 years after the performance of the last notarial act.

Have more questions about Notaries in Maryland? We have your answers.

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Last updated: Jan 27, 2025

Get everything you need with a full Maryland Notary Package.