So you want to become a notary public in the state of Pennsylvania. Follow these easy steps and you’ll have your commission in no time.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the authority to appoint an applicant a commission to be a notary public for a term of four years from the date the application is approved.
To be eligible to be a notary public in the state of Pennsylvania, all applicants must:
1) Be at least 18 years old,
2) Be employed or reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and
3) Be of good character, integrity, and ability.
In order to be issued a commission for a notary public, all applicants must:
1) Fill out an application. All spaces must be correctly filled in. Any blank spaces must have “n/a” or “none” in them.
2) Obtain two references and have them sign the notary public application in the spaces that ask for references.
3) Obtain the signature of the senator in the district where they reside or are employed. There is a spot for this signature on the application.
4) Provide proof of completion of an approved 3 hour notary training course. It must be dated within 6 months of the application date.
5) Have not been convicted or pleaded no contest to a felony or any crime that would interfere with the duties of a notary public with five years from the date of the application.
6) Have not had a notary commission issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania revoked within five years from the date of the application.
The applicant must submit the application to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A $40 non-refundable application fee must be included with the application.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth can reject an application if they feel an applicant is not suitable. This decision can be appealed. If the application is rejected because the applicant did not complete the training, the application will be rejected and the decision cannot be appealed. The applicant can reapply, but the original $40 application fee is gone.
If the commission is appointed, the applicant will receive commission papers in the mail in about four weeks. The applicant will be instructed to file the commission with the Recorder of Deeds in their county within 45 calendar days from the date of the commission. If this day is a Sunday or legal holiday, the day is extended until the next business day. There are fees for recording your commission. In Philadelphia, the paperwork needs to be submitted to the Recorder of Deeds in Downtown Philadelphia. The total fees reach almost $80.
Once your commission is filed, you will need to order your notary supplies. There are many different places you can order from. Choose a place you like or one with competitive prices (I find there prices are all about the same-if you don’t know where to search, go to google.com and search for Pennsylvania notary public supplies).
The Commonwealth also sets the fees Notary publics are allowed to charge. Currently, those fees are as follows:
Executing affidavits (no matter how many signatures) $5.00
Executing acknowledgments 5.00
In executing acknowledgments, each additional name 2.00
Executing certificates (per certified copy) 5.00
Administering oaths (per individual taking an oath) 5.00
Taking depositions, per page 3.00
Executing verifications 5.00
Executing protests (per page) 3.00
While the process seems like it may be tedious, it is straightforward and simple. Start your application today and you’ll be a Pennsylvania Notary Public before you know it!
