The Notary Application Process
A notary public is an official appointed by a state government who acts as an impartial witness to the signing of various documents. This process of requiring documents to be witnessed by a notary is to help avoid fraudulent acts. The notary screens signers for proper identity and checks documents for completeness, such as wills and property deeds, to ensure no blank lines are shown that could possibly have information added at a later date.
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Qualifications
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Notaries are established by state governments, and therefore there are slightly different qualifications, application procedures and fees for each state. Generally, a notary applicant must be 18 years old or older and a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. You must not have a conviction of a felony on your record. You must either be a resident of the state in which you are filing for notary status, or you must be employed in that state.
The Application
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Filing requirements, as mentioned, differ from state to state, but are similar. Using New Jersey as a general example, you obtain a notary application from your local county clerk's office or from the Office of the State Treasurer. Complete the form and obtain the endorsement of a member of the legislature. Mail the form along with a filing fee ($25 in New Jersey) to the address given.
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Completing the Application Process
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Officials will review your submitted application. If there are corrections needed, they will return it to you for resubmission. If they accept it, they will send you a Notary Public Commission Certificate and an Oath Qualification Certificate. Take these two documents to your local county clerk, who will administer an oath to you. The Commission Certificate will be used to record your notary commission. You must pay the clerk a filing fee. The Qualification Certificate will be given back to you for you to return to the Notary Public Section, which is the state office that is responsible for notary matters. Your notary status is valid for five years, after which you can renew it.
Other Requirements
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Some states, such as Pennsylvania, also require applicants to take a three-hour Notary education course. Pennsylvania offers this course online, through webinars, and at live seminars. Other fees may be needed to purchase required materials, such as an ink seal stamp and a journal to record all Notary acts. A Notary Public Bond may also be advised or required. Expect to pay a little over $100 for all of the fees and requirements you'll need to complete the application process.
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