Maryland Secretary of State and the circuit court clerk handles the verified commission route. The captured fee basis is $9 state application fee plus $11 circuit-court commission fee; training, exam, and supplies are separate, the term is 4 years, and the bond rule is No surety bond required.
Maryland notary fee, term, bond, and authority
- Responsible authority
- Maryland Secretary of State and the circuit court clerk
- Application fee
- $9 state application fee plus $11 circuit-court commission fee; training, exam, and supplies are separate
- Commission term
- 4 years
- Bond requirement
- No surety bond required
- Training or exam
- Complete an approved course and pass the state examination
- Official source
- https://sos.maryland.gov/Notary/Pages/default.aspx ↗
- Jurisdiction
- Maryland (MD)
Who can apply for a Maryland notary commission
Be at least 18, live or work in Maryland, and meet statutory character and residency requirements.
How to apply
Review the current official requirements
Open the verified public source and confirm the correct commission category, application window, fee, and supporting documents.
Complete required education, exam, or background steps
Complete an approved course and pass the state examination.
Prepare the bond and application package
No surety bond required. Obtain any required seal, oath, identification, endorsements, or county paperwork only after confirming the official instructions.
Submit through the correct authority
Apply online, complete course and exam, receive appointment, and appear before the circuit court clerk.
Important conditions and exceptions
Bond premiums, education, examination, fingerprinting, background checks, county recording, seals, journals, technology providers, and shipping can be separate. The official authority—not this website—determines eligibility and whether an application is complete.
Traditional, electronic, and remote notarization are not always the same commission
This page maps the standard public commission route. Electronic or remote online notarization may require a current traditional commission, separate registration or endorsement, approved technology, identity proofing, recording retention, and additional fees. Use the official source before offering remote services.
Source verification
Authority, fee, term, bond, training, and exception claims are mapped to the identified public source.
- Maryland Secretary of State and the circuit court clerkOfficial application, commission, or handbook sourceOpen official source ↗
- National Association of Secretaries of StateNationwide notary authority directorynass.org ↗
Maryland notary commission answers
Who commissions notaries in Maryland?
Maryland Secretary of State and the circuit court clerk.
How much is the Maryland notary application?
$9 state application fee plus $11 circuit-court commission fee; training, exam, and supplies are separate.
How long does a Maryland notary commission last?
4 years.
Does Maryland require a notary bond?
No surety bond required.
Is training or an exam required in Maryland?
Complete an approved course and pass the state examination.
Can SecretaryOfStateUSA.com issue a Maryland notary commission?
No. This private directory does not accept applications, issue commissions, sell bonds, or provide legal advice.