State Variations in Notary Terms, Requirments and Services
“Did You Know…?” –State Variations in Notary Terms, Requirements and ServicesPublished November 25, 2025
Imagine asking 100 or so random people a question like, “What are the main services that a notary public performs?” Or, “How long is the term of a notary public commission?” Or, “Are all notary applicants required to meet the same qualifications?” What answers would most of these people give?
Correctly reciting key facts about becoming a notary and performing notarial services is much more difficult to do than the average person would think it should be. That’s because while most everyone knows that America has lots of notaries, relatively few know what a notary actually does. Even fewer realize that notary commission requirements and powers vary from state-to-state.
In fact, most people associate notaries with document signing so strongly, they don’t realize notaries in all states have certain powers that don’t involve a signed document. For example, notaries in all U.S. states are authorized to administer verbal-only oaths (or affirmations) for very familiar purposes such as pledging to tell the truth, or being sworn-in to public office.
Two important reasons that a notary’s powers vary state-to-state are that (1) a notary’s powers are dictated by the state where the notary is appointed or commissioned; and (2) those state-specific notary powers vary somewhat depending on each state’s uniquely different notary laws and/or regulations.
Here’s a very general summary of some similarities and variations in America’s state notary laws/rules and management of notaries public in general:
| Similar: 1. All states authorize a notary public to administer an oath (verification) or take an acknowledgement. 2. Many states’ notary public divisions are under the Office of the Secretary of State. 3. Many but not all states require successful passage of a state-approved training course as a qualification to become a notary. 4. Many states’ term of a single, active notary commission is four years. |
Different: 1. Different – only some (not all) states authorize a notary to perform a “signature witnessing” notarial act. A few states give notaries additional, unique powers that aren’t given to notaries elsewhere. 2. Some states’ notary public divisions are not under the Office of the Secretary of State or, the notary management function is split between the Secretary of State and another official such as the Governor or Lieutenant Governor. In some states, the notary management function is with the state Attorney General’s office. 3. Some states (unfortunately) don’t require training as a qualification to become a notary. 4. A few states deviate from the standard four-year notary commission term. These different state commission terms include five, six, seven and ten year terms, with Louisiana as the lone state that appoints its notaries to a lifetime term. |
So remember that a notary’s power in one state versus the other can differ. This knowledge will matter any time that you or your employer has document transactions (signings) involving multiple signers across state lines and, the signers’ signature(s) must be notarized.
Finally, remember that notarizations for a document signing usually involve oaths/affirmations, acknowledgments, or signature witnessings. Keep in mind that all states authorize notaries to perform oaths/affirmations and acknowledgments. Only some authorize signature witnessings.
Finally, remember that notarizations for a document signing usually involve oaths/affirmations, acknowledgments, or signature witnessings. Keep in mind that all states authorize notaries to perform oaths/affirmations and acknowledgments. Only some authorize signature witnessings.
Your data is safe with us! (read our privacy and security policy)