How to Become a Notary Public in Maryland

State Government Article Section 18-102 lists the qualifications. You must be at least 18, of good moral character and integrity, and either a Maryland resident or someone with a place of employment or practice in the state. A Maryland resident must live in the senatorial district from which they are appointed. Someone living outside Maryland must reside in a state that lets Maryland residents who work there serve as notaries.

Since October 1, 2021, a first-time applicant must also complete a course of study and pass an examination offered through a provider approved by the Secretary of State. Renewing notaries complete the course only.

Character is assessed through the application. Under Section 18-104, a commission can be denied for a felony conviction or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit, for a legal finding or admission of liability based on fraud, for a misleading statement or omission on the application, or for discipline of a notary commission in another state. Initial applicants who are denied are not entitled to a hearing.

The Secretary of State publishes a list of authorized course of study and examination providers, in alphabetical order and without endorsing any of them. The list includes community colleges, notary associations and private training companies, and it marks whether each offering is for new applicants, renewing applicants or both. At least one course is offered in Spanish for new applicants.

When you finish, you receive two documents from the provider: a certificate of completion for the course and a certificate of passing for the exam. You will upload electronic copies of both with your application. The Secretary of State also recommends ordering and reviewing the Maryland notary handbook, sold by the office for $30. Our Maryland notary exam guide explains the exam standards in detail.

The Secretary of State's FAQ lists the items to have ready before you start the online form. Your home address is required even if you plan to notarize only at work, because Maryland residents are commissioned in the county where they live, and a notary's home address is public information.

Applications are filed online through the Secretary of State's portal at mdsos2.my.site.com. Since January 22, 2024 the fee is $25, set by COMAR 01.02.08.03, replacing the former $9 fee plus $2 service charge. Use the name on your government photo ID; nicknames and add-on titles such as Esq. or Ph.D. are not accepted on a commission.

The office runs a background check to confirm you disclosed any criminal convictions and civil judgments. The Secretary of State says an application that misreports your criminal record will be denied, so answer those questions carefully.

Under Sections 18-101 and 18-103, the Governor appoints notaries on the approval of the senator representing your district, unless that senator has delegated approval to the Secretary of State. Out-of-state applicants need approval from the Secretary of State and a Maryland senator. Your references may be contacted by email, mail or phone.

Timing depends on who reviews. According to the FAQ, the Secretary of State usually decides in two to three business days when a senator has opted out, while senator reviews typically take two to eight weeks. Unanswered reference requests and missing information are the most common reasons for delay.

Approval arrives by email with instructions to appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county of residence, or for out-of-state notaries usually the county where you work. Section 18-103(d) gives you 30 days from the notice to qualify and pay the clerk's fees, and a commission not qualified in time is revoked. The Secretary of State's pages list $10 for the commission plus a $1 registration fee, paid to the clerk separately from the $25 application fee. After you are sworn in, the commission is emailed to you.

Miss the 30-day window and you must file a new application and pay again. You will also need an official stamp and a journal, which the Secretary of State does not provide; our Maryland notary rules guide covers what each must contain.

A Maryland commission lasts four years (Section 18-103(c)). The Secretary of State's FAQ says the renewal window opens 60 days before expiration and stays open until 30 days after it; after that you must apply as a new notary, which brings back the exam. Renewal applicants complete an authorized course, upload the certificate of completion, pay the $25 fee, and take the oath at the clerk's office again for each new commission. Renewals are decided by the Secretary of State rather than a senator.