How to Become a Notary Public: Exam, Application, and Bond Guide
Everything you need to know to become a notary public — state exam requirements, application steps, surety bond, journal requirements, and what the notary exam actually tests.
Notary Public Requirements: State by State
Notary public commissions are issued by state governments — there is no national notary license. Most states appoint notaries through the Secretary of State's office or a similar state agency. Requirements typically include: minimum age (18 in most states), state residency, no felony convictions, completion of a state-approved education course, passing a state exam (required in California, New York, Colorado, Oregon, and others), posting a surety bond, and paying an application fee. Commission terms are typically 4 years. Always verify your specific state's requirements, as they change frequently.
What the Notary Exam Tests
States that require a notary exam test your knowledge of notarial acts and procedures under state law. Commonly tested topics: the four primary notarial acts (acknowledgment, jurat, copy certification, oath/affirmation), how to properly identify a signer (acceptable ID types), requirements for the notary journal/record book, prohibited acts (notarizing your own documents, notarizing for a spouse in most states), proper completion of the notarial certificate, and electronic notarization (RON — Remote Online Notarization) rules. The California notary exam, for example, is 30 questions and you must score at least 70% to pass.
Acknowledgments vs. Jurats
The acknowledgment and the jurat are the two most common notarial acts and are frequently confused on exams. An acknowledgment is used when a signer acknowledges that they signed a document willingly and are who they claim to be. The signer does not have to sign in front of the notary — only acknowledge the signature. A jurat (also called a verification on oath) requires the signer to sign the document in the notary's presence and then swear or affirm under oath that the contents are true. Knowing which notarial act is appropriate for a given document is a frequent exam question.
The Journal and Surety Bond
Most states require notaries to maintain a chronological journal of all notarial acts performed. Required journal entries typically include: date and time of the act, type of notarial act, name and address of signer, document type, method of identification used, and the signer's signature in the journal. A surety bond protects the public (not the notary) from financial loss due to the notary's errors. Common bond amounts range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the state. The bond is not insurance — if a claim is paid, the notary must reimburse the surety company.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
As of 2025, more than 40 states have enacted laws permitting Remote Online Notarization, where the notary and signer appear together via audio-video technology instead of in person. RON requires specific technology (identity proofing, credential analysis, tamper-evident digital certificates) and typically requires separate authorization from the state. The notary exam in RON-permitting states increasingly tests these requirements. Know whether your state permits RON, what the technology requirements are, and what types of documents cannot be notarized remotely (wills and codicils, for example, often cannot be RON-notarized).