A notary public commission is a state appointment that authorises you to perform notarial acts — primarily verifying signatures on legal documents and administering oaths. The role is designed to deter document fraud by requiring signers to personally appear before a trained, impartial witness.
Most notaries work their commission as a value-added service in their existing career (paralegal, real estate agent, insurance agent, bank employee) rather than as a standalone business. But for those willing to specialise as Notary Signing Agents, the income opportunity is substantial.
At a glance
- Time to become a notary: 1–8 weeks (varies by state processing time)
- Total cost: $20–$200 (application + bond + supplies)
- Commission term: 2–10 years (most states: 4 years)
- Income potential: Side income: $50–$500/month; NSA full-time: $50,000–$100,000+
- Exam required?: Yes in about 10 states (including California, New York, North Carolina)
State requirements overview
Requirements vary significantly: SIMPLE STATES (application + fee, no exam): Most states fall here — you apply online or by mail, pay $10–$40, wait for processing, take an oath of office, and you're commissioned. EXAM STATES (California, New York, North Carolina, others): Required to pass a written exam on notary law before the commission is issued. Exams cover notarial acts, recordkeeping, fee limits, and prohibited conduct. EDUCATION REQUIRED (some states): A short course (typically 3–6 hours) is required before applying. BOND REQUIRED: Most states require a surety bond ($5,000–$25,000 face value) — this protects the public from notary errors, not the notary personally. Bond cost is typically $30–$75 for a 4-year term.
What you'll need to buy as supplies
NOTARY SEAL/STAMP: Required by law in all states. The seal embosses or stamps your commission information onto documents. Cost: $20–$50. Vendors: Staples, Office Depot, or online notary supply companies. Some states require both an embosser and an ink stamp. NOTARY JOURNAL: Required in about half the states; strongly recommended everywhere. The journal creates a record of every notarial act you perform — essential protection if a document is ever disputed. Cost: $15–$30. The NNA sells journals that meet all state requirements.
Step-by-step path
- Check your state's specific requirements. Your state Secretary of State or equivalent office publishes notary requirements online. Look for: minimum age (typically 18); residency requirement; any course or exam requirement; bond requirement; fee schedule.
- Complete any required training or education. If your state requires a course, complete it through an approved provider (the NNA offers state-specific courses). If an exam is required, study the state notary handbook — available free from the Secretary of State's website.
- Submit your application and fee. Most applications are online or by mail to the Secretary of State. Some states route through county courts or Lieutenant Governor's offices. Pay the application fee ($5–$75).
- Purchase your bond (if required). Get a notary surety bond from an insurance company or notary supply company. The bond protects the public — it is not liability insurance for you. Cost: $30–$75 for 4 years.
- Take the oath of office. Most states require you to take an oath of office before a specific official (county clerk, court clerk, or authorised notary). Your commission becomes effective when the oath is taken and recorded.
- Purchase your supplies and start practising. Buy your official notary stamp/seal and journal. Your commission is now active. Familiarise yourself with your state's specific requirements — which IDs are acceptable, fee limits, what your journal must record, and what your certificate language must say.
Standard notary fees are set by state law — typically $2–$15 per notarial act. As a standalone service, income is modest. The real opportunity is the Notary Signing Agent (NSA) role: handling real estate loan signings for title companies at $75–$200 per signing (1–2 hours). Active NSAs complete 2–5 signings per day in busy markets. Annual income for dedicated full-time NSAs ranges from $50,000 to $100,000+ in high-volume real estate markets.