New Notary Applicant Information
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New Notary Application Information
*Application process change as of 01/22/2024*
The notary application fee changed from $9 + $2 service charge to an application fee of $25.
How to Become a Notary Public (new application):
- Order the Handbook and review it ($23.00): https://sos.maryland.gov/Notary/Pages/SOS_ORDERFORM.aspx
- A NEW applicant to complete a course of study AND pass an examination in order to become a notary public. The following is the link at which you can find a list of authorized course of study and examination providers:
https://sos.maryland.gov/Documents/NotaryCourseofStudyandExaminationProviders.pdf
Upon successful completion of the notary public course of study (for new applicants), the notary will receive a certificate of completion.
Notaries must submit an electronic copy of this certificate as part of the online notary application.
Upon successful completion of the notary public examination (for
new applicants), notaries will receive a certificate of passing from the provider.
Notaries must also submit an electronic copy of this certificate as part of the online notary application.
*Will receive two certificates, certificate of completion and certificate of passing
- Complete your new online notary application at https://mdsos2.my.site.com.
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Find the legislative district number & the name of your Senator ! Use the look-up link provided by the Maryland General Assembly
New Application Process:
- Complete your new online notary application
https://mdsos2.my.site.com.
- Upon completion and payment, you will receive an email from the online registration vendor confirming completion of the application and payment.
- The Secretary of State will receive your notary application the next business day.
- Your application will be reviewed for completion and to ensure you provided your valid home address.
- A background check will be conducted to ensure you disclosed any criminal convictions and civil judgments entered against you (civil judgment defined in the definitions Part XIII of the Notary Handbook). If you did not accurately report information about your criminal record on your application, the application will be denied. If your State Senator has delegated their authority to approve your application to the Secretary of State, we will email your references for feedback directly. References must respond before we proceed. If your State Senator makes the determination about your application, they will review your application and may contact your references by mail, phone, and/or email.
- Determination to approve or deny your application is made by your State Senator or the Secretary of State (if your State Senator has delegated authority to the Secretary of State).
- If denied, you will be notified of your denial.
- If approved, you will be notified via email of your approval. That email notification will instruct you to appear at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county in which you will be commissioned. Read the attachment for specific instructions to obtain your commission from the Clerk of the Court.
- After receiving notification, you must appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county in which you are commissioned to take the oath of office within 30 days of the date you were notified.
Failure to appear within 30 days will result in revocation of your commission.
- Clerk of the Court’s Fee: Be prepared to pay the Clerk of the Court $10.00 for the commission and $1.00 registration fee. This is separate from your notary application fee paid to the Secretary of State.
- If you do not appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court and take your oath of office within the 30 days, your commission will be revoked. If your commission is revoked because you did not appear within 30 days, you must reapply by submitting a new application, and pay another application fee.
- The Clerk of the Circuit Court will swear you in. After you are sworn in, you will receive your notary commission via email at the email address provided on your notary application. After you are sworn in and have received your commission, you are an official Notary Public for the State of Maryland
| Complete Application | Application Determination |
New notary application | 15 minutes | 2-14 days |
Renewal notary application | 10 minutes | 1-3 days |
Remote notary notification form | 5 minutes | 1-3 days |
