Pennsylvania Notary Public Requirements
Pennsylvania’s notary bond requirement jumped from $10,000 to $25,000 for anyone newly appointed or reappointed on or after March 28, 2026 — here’s the current process, including who’s grandfathered on the old bond.
- Quick facts
- The March 2026 bond increase
- Electronic and remote notarization (RON)
- Steps to become a Pennsylvania notary
- FAQ
Quick facts
| Regulator | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Residency/work requirement | Must reside, work, or practice a profession in Pennsylvania; U.S. citizen or permanent resident |
| Education course | 3-hour approved notary education course, completed within 6 months before applying |
| Exam | Pearson VUE exam required for first-time applicants and anyone whose prior commission has expired |
| Bond | $25,000 for notaries appointed or reappointed on or after March 28, 2026; notaries commissioned before that date may keep their $10,000 bond until it expires |
| Application fee | $42 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Per-act fees (as of March 28, 2026) | Up to $5 per signature for in-person witnessing/attesting; up to $20 per act for electronic or remote notarizations |
The March 2026 bond increase
Pennsylvania’s Department of State adopted new regulations implementing the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) that took effect March 28, 2026. The most consequential change for applicants: the required surety bond rose from $10,000 to $25,000. If you’re applying for the first time, or your existing commission expires and you’re reappointed, on or after that date, you need the new $25,000 bond. If you already held a commission before March 28, 2026, you can keep using your existing $10,000 bond until it expires — you don’t need to upgrade mid-commission. The same regulations also changed notary seal requirements (seals must now show a seven-digit commission ID number), tightened what personally identifiable information notaries can keep in their journals, and introduced per-act fees that notaries may charge signers.
Electronic and remote notarization (RON)
Pennsylvania has permitted Remote Online Notarization since Act 97 of 2020 made it permanent, effective October 29, 2020 (a temporary version ran earlier that year). RON is a separate authorization on top of your standard commission: a notary who wants to perform electronic or remote notarizations must separately notify the Department of State and identify which approved technology platform(s) they’ll use, chosen from the Department’s published provider list. There’s no separate, higher bond for RON — the same bond that covers your standard commission (now $25,000 for anyone appointed or reappointed on or after March 28, 2026, as described above) covers electronic and remote notarizations too. What does change under the March 2026 regulations: notaries can now charge up to $20 per act for electronic or remote notarizations, versus up to $5 per signature for in-person work. Confirm the current approved-platform list and notification process directly at pa.gov before offering remote notarization services.
Steps to become a Pennsylvania notary
- Confirm eligibility — 18+, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and someone who resides, works, or practices a profession in Pennsylvania. (Unlike some states, Pennsylvania doesn’t require residency specifically — working or practicing a profession in the state is enough.)
- Complete the 3-hour approved education course within 6 months before you apply.
- Pass the Pearson VUE notary exam if you’re a first-time applicant or your prior commission has expired.
- Purchase your surety bond — $25,000 if you’re newly appointed or reappointed on or after March 28, 2026, or continue using an existing $10,000 bond if your current commission predates that.
- Submit your application and $42 fee to the Department of State, and record your bond within 45 days of appointment.
- Receive your 4-year commission.
Do I need to buy the new $25,000 bond if I’m already a notary?
Not immediately. If your commission was granted before March 28, 2026, you can keep your existing $10,000 bond until it expires. The $25,000 bond only applies to new appointments and reappointments (renewals) on or after that date.
Do I have to be a Pennsylvania resident to become a notary there?
No. Pennsylvania allows applicants who reside, work, or practice a profession in the state — so someone who works in Pennsylvania but lives across the state line can still qualify, which isn’t the case in every state.
Do renewing notaries have to retake the Pearson VUE exam?
The exam is required for first-time applicants and for anyone whose previous commission has already expired before they reapply. Confirm your specific situation with the Department of State, since exam requirements for on-time renewals can differ from those for lapsed commissions.