Pennsylvania Department of State — Notaries handles the verified commission route. The captured fee basis is $42 application fee, the term is 4 years, and the bond rule is $10,000 surety bond.
Pennsylvania notary fee, term, bond, and authority
- Responsible authority
- Pennsylvania Department of State — Notaries
- Application fee
- $42 application fee
- Commission term
- 4 years
- Bond requirement
- $10,000 surety bond
- Training or exam
- Complete at least three hours of approved education; new applicants must pass the examination
- Official source
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/notaries ↗
- Jurisdiction
- Pennsylvania (PA)
Who can apply for a Pennsylvania notary commission
Be at least 18, reside or be employed in Pennsylvania, and meet statutory character 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 at least three hours of approved education; new applicants must pass the examination.
Prepare the bond and application package
$10,000 surety bond. Obtain any required seal, oath, identification, endorsements, or county paperwork only after confirming the official instructions.
Submit through the correct authority
Complete education and exam as applicable, apply to the Department of State, then record bond, oath, and commission with the county.
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.
- Pennsylvania Department of State — NotariesOfficial application, commission, or handbook sourceOpen official source ↗
- National Association of Secretaries of StateNationwide notary authority directorynass.org ↗
Pennsylvania notary commission answers
Who commissions notaries in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Department of State — Notaries.
How much is the Pennsylvania notary application?
$42 application fee.
How long does a Pennsylvania notary commission last?
4 years.
Does Pennsylvania require a notary bond?
$10,000 surety bond.
Is training or an exam required in Pennsylvania?
Complete at least three hours of approved education; new applicants must pass the examination.
Can SecretaryOfStateUSA.com issue a Pennsylvania notary commission?
No. This private directory does not accept applications, issue commissions, sell bonds, or provide legal advice.