Becoming a notary in Pennsylvania generally costs between $250 and $400 out of pocket, and the honest answer to how much it costs to become a notary in PA depends on which education provider, bond company, and county recorder you deal with. The state and exam fees alone come to $129 before you buy a single supply. Everything else sits on top of that.
The Fees You Cannot Avoid
Application Fee: $42
The Pennsylvania Department of State charges $42 to file your application, whether you are new or renewing.1Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Apply to Be a Notary You pay it when you submit through the Department’s online portal. Processing usually takes two to four weeks.2Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notaries and Notary Services
Background Check: $22
A Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check is required with your application and can be requested online.3Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Request a Criminal History Background Check A record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions can lead to denial.
Education Course: $40 to $119
Every applicant, new or renewing, has to complete a three-hour notary education course approved by the Department of State.2Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notaries and Notary Services Approved providers charge roughly $40 to $119, and the course is available online or in person. You have to finish it within six months before applying, and the completion certificate goes in with your application; missing that proof is one of the most common reasons applications get denied.1Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Apply to Be a Notary
Exam Fee: $65
First-time applicants, and anyone whose prior commission has already expired, must pass an exam administered by Pearson VUE for the Department of State. Each attempt costs $65.4Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Examination Requirement If you renew before your current commission expires, you skip this fee entirely, which is a strong reason not to let the commission lapse.2Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notaries and Notary Services
Surety Bond Premium: $30 to $55
Before your commission issues, you have to obtain a $10,000 surety bond from an insurer authorized in Pennsylvania. Without a valid bond on file with the Department of State, you cannot legally perform notarial acts.5Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code 57 Pa.C.S. 321 – Appointment and Commission You pay a premium, not the full $10,000. For a four-year term, premiums typically run $30 to $55 depending on the provider and your credit. The coverage is the same no matter who issues it, so comparing a few quotes is worthwhile.
One point to understand before you buy: the bond protects members of the public harmed by your errors or misconduct. It does not protect you.
County Recording
Once the Department of State approves you, you have to take an oath of office and record your commission and bond with your county recorder of deeds.5Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code 57 Pa.C.S. 321 – Appointment and Commission Fees vary by county. Philadelphia, for example, charges $106.50 to record a notary commission and bond. Other counties charge less. Call your recorder of deeds before applying so you know what to budget.
Supplies: $28 to $80
Pennsylvania law requires two tools before you perform any notarial act: an official rubber-stamp seal and a journal.6Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code 57 Pa.C.S. 317 – Official Stamp7Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code 57 Pa.C.S. 319 – Journal Compliant stamps run $18 to $50 from notary supply vendors. A bound paper journal runs $10 to $30 and generally lasts a full four-year commission for most notaries. Electronic journal software costs more but can help if you handle high volume.
The 45-Day Deadline That Can Cost You Everything
If you do not complete all post-appointment steps (oath, bond filing, county recording) within 45 days of your appointment date, your commission is nullified and you have to start the application over.2Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notaries and Notary Services Every fee you already paid is gone. Put the date on your calendar the moment the appointment notice arrives.
Optional Costs Worth Considering
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Because the surety bond protects the public rather than you, a claim against your notarization can leave you personally on the hook for legal defense and damages even when the claim is baseless. E&O policies for Pennsylvania notaries start around $13 per year for basic coverage, with higher limits available for more. It is not required by law, but if you notarize anything beyond occasional favors for friends, the math usually favors carrying it.
Remote Online Notarization Technology
Pennsylvania permits remote notarization using approved communication technology, provided you notify the Department of State and identify your platform before performing any remote act.8Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Electronic or Remote Notarization There is no separate state licensing fee, but the technology stack is expensive. An X.509-compliant digital certificate runs roughly $89 to $212 depending on term length, and platform subscriptions typically start at $99 to $199 per month for business plans. These costs only make sense if remote notarization will be a regular part of your work.
What You Can Charge Back
Pennsylvania caps notary fees. Most common acts, including taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath, verifying a signature, or certifying a copy, max out at $5. Each additional name on an acknowledgment adds $2, and noting a protest of a negotiable instrument is $3 per page.9Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notary Public Fees At $5 per act, recovering your initial investment takes time unless you notarize frequently or operate as a mobile notary and charge a separate travel fee.
Putting the Numbers Together
A standard commission, without any remote notarization technology, breaks down like this:
- Application fee: $42
- Background check: $22
- Education course: $40 to $119
- Exam fee: $65
- Surety bond premium: $30 to $55
- County recording: varies by county
- Official stamp: $18 to $50
- Journal: $10 to $30
Fixed state and exam charges come to $129. Add education, bond, supplies, and county recording, and most new Pennsylvania notaries land between $250 and $400 to get fully commissioned. Your commission runs four years, and renewal is cheaper because you skip the $65 exam, provided you renew before your current commission expires.2Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notaries and Notary Services