State Information for Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania Notary Requirements and Information
Pennsylvania Notary Commission Qualifications
Notary applicants must:
• be at least 18 years old;
• be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.;
• be a resident of Pennsylvania or have a place of employment or practice in Pennsylvania;
• be able to read and write English;
• not be disqualified to receive a commission because of character, criminal convictions or prior sanctions .
How to Apply to Become a Pennsylvania Notary
See detailed information including applicable fees, on the website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State: https://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/NotaryServices/Pages/default.aspx#.VBMTnvldUQ0
Secretary of State.
Term of Office
4 year term.
Notary Education and/or Exam Requirement
Education course required; new and renewing Notary applicants. Education must be at least 3 hours taken either online or in a classroom environment and must be taken within a 6-month period preceding commission application. Exam required; first-time applicants and renewing but commission has lapsed.
Notary Bond Requirement
$10,000 Bond Required (4-year term)
Notary Recordbook (Journal) Requirement
• Recordbook (journal) required, paper and electronic notarial acts. Journal may be paper or electronic. Notary may maintain a single journal (paper or electronic) in which to record notarial acts performed on both tangible (paper) and electronic documents; or one journal for tangible documents notarized and one journal for electronic notarizations. Paper journal must be bound, with preprinted, consecutive page numbers and preprinted, consecutively numbered entry lines or entry blocks.
• Electronic journal must be tamper-evident and meet requirements specified in statutes and Department regulations.
Notary Seal Requirement
• Ink stamp required, paper notarial acts. Must be photographically reproducible. Embossing seal may be used ONLY in conjunction with ink stamp.
• Official stamp is optional on an electronic document but only if certain specified information is included in the notarial certificate. Electronic Notaries electing to affix an official stamp image when notarizing electronic documents must ensure the stamp image conforms to the information elements and dimensions of the ink-stamp image.
Authorized Duties
• Take acknowledgments and proofs;
• take verifications on oath or affirmation;
• administer oaths and affirmations;
• witness or attest a signature;
• certify or attest a copy or deposition;
• note protests.
Change of Name, Address or Eligibility Status
See detailed information on the website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State: https://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/NotaryServices/Pages/Update-Information-.aspx
Contact Information for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Notary Website
https://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/Pages/default.aspx#.VSZ6KvDD-KU
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Notary Resources
https://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/Resources/Pages/default.aspx#.VBMT4vldUQ0
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Online Notary Search
https://www.notaries.pa.gov/Pages/NotarySearch.aspx
Phone Number
(717) 787-5280
Mailing Address
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of State
Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation
Division of Commissions, Legislation and Notaries
210 North Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Apostilles, Certifications and Authentications Information
Phone Number
(717) 787-5280
Further Information
https://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Certifications_Apostilles/Pages/default.aspx#.VIClVM90wb0
Information on this page is provided with the understanding that the user is solely responsible for his/her knowledge of notarial law, procedures and practices. The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. All information is subject to change without notice and therefore is provided “as is,” free of warranty of any kind. Last updated August 2020.
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