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Notary Public Application

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NOTARY PUBLIC APPLICATION

This Notary Public Application is submitted by Applicant Name: and is presented to Commissioning Authority: for the purpose of requesting commission as a Notary Public under applicable law and regulations.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Applicant seeks appointment and commission as a Notary Public to perform notarial acts in the jurisdiction of the Commissioning Authority; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant affirms eligibility to serve as a Notary Public and acknowledges the statutory requirements, bond and recordkeeping obligations applicable to the office; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioning Authority requires this written application, affirmation under penalty of perjury, and any supporting documents or bond instruments prior to issuance of a commission;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the matters set forth herein and subject to approval by the Commissioning Authority, the Applicant submits this application and certifies the statements contained below are true and complete.

1. APPLICANT INFORMATION

Date of Birth:

2. ELIGIBILITY, OATH AND QUALIFICATION

The Applicant affirms under penalty of perjury that Applicant meets all statutory qualifications to be commissioned as a Notary Public, including but not limited to residence or place of employment within the jurisdiction, minimum age requirement, and absence of disqualifying felony convictions not restored by law.

Applicant hereby declares and swears that the statements and answers contained in this application are true and complete, and that Applicant will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Notary Public in accordance with law if commissioned.

3. BACKGROUND AND CRIMINAL HISTORY

Have you ever been convicted of a felony, or any crime that would disqualify you from serving as a Notary Public?

Applicant consents to criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and verification of records as required by the Commissioning Authority for processing this application.

4. BOND, INSURANCE AND RECORDS

Applicant acknowledges that issuance of a commission may require a surety bond and/or liability insurance as a condition of commissioning. If a bond is required, identify bond details below.

Bond Effective Date:

5. FEES AND PAYMENT

Payment method:

6. CERTIFICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

By signing below, Applicant certifies under penalty of perjury that all statements in this application are true and complete. Applicant understands that making a false statement may be grounds for denial, revocation of a commission, and subject to criminal penalties including prosecution for perjury.

Applicant agrees to comply with statutory duties of a Notary Public, including maintaining a journal of notarial acts when required, safeguarding the official seal, notifying the Commissioning Authority of any change of name or address, and executing and delivering any required bond and oath prior to commissioning.

7. AUTHORIZATION FOR BACKGROUND CHECK

Applicant authorizes the Commissioning Authority and its agents to obtain criminal history information, court records, and other information necessary to evaluate eligibility. Applicant further acknowledges that information obtained may be used in assessing suitability for commission and may be retained in official records.

Applicant authorizes release of such records and waives any claim for invasion of privacy or violation of confidentiality arising from the lawful collection and use of such information.

8. NOTICES

All official correspondence and the commission certificate, if issued, should be mailed to:

9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Governing Law: This application, any commission issued, and the Applicant's duties as a Notary Public shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of the Commissioning Authority.

Entire Agreement: This application contains the entire understanding between the Applicant and the Commissioning Authority regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior statements or representations, whether oral or written.

Severability: If any provision of this application is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Amendments; Waiver: Any amendment or waiver of the provisions of this application shall be in writing and executed by the Applicant and an authorized representative of the Commissioning Authority.

Counterparts: This application may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

10. ATTACHMENTS

The Applicant shall attach hereto any required documents including a copy of valid identification, required bond instrument, fee payment receipt, and any supplemental declarations. List of attachments:

Applicant Printed Name:

Signature:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Notary Public Application Is and Who Oversees It

A Notary Public Application is the formal submission an individual files with a state notary commissioning authority to become a commissioned notary public. It typically collects identity information, residency or work location, contact details, required fees, proof of bond or insurance where applicable, and a signed oath or affirmation. States administer commissioning through offices such as the Secretary of State or Notary Division and may require background checks, training, fingerprinting, or proof of completion of an educational course before issuing a commission. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Why a Complete Application Matters

A correctly completed application reduces processing delays, lowers the chance of rejection, and ensures your commission grants authority to perform notarizations under state rules and federal e-signature laws such as ESIGN and applicable state statutes.

Why a Complete Application Matters

Who Typically Completes or Reviews This Application

Agencies also use the application to collect fees, ensure statutory qualifications, and create the official commission record.

  • Notary applicants who will perform acknowledgements, jurats, and other notarial acts in the issuing jurisdiction.
  • County clerks or Secretary of State staff who verify identity, bonds, and compliance with state rules.
  • Employers and organizations registering employees to act as in-house notaries or RON participants.

Step-by-Step: Completing Your Notary Public Application

Follow this sequence to prepare a clean application package and reduce processing time.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect government ID, proof of residence, and bond documentation.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Fill every required field and sign the oath section.
  • 03
    Provide Bond or Insurance: Attach surety bond or evidence of E&O insurance if required.
  • 04
    Submit and Track: Pay fees, submit online or by mail, and keep submission receipts.

How Online Submission Workflows Are Typically Configured

When completing or automating the application online, configure each field and verification step to match state requirements and evidence collection needs.

Field Configuration
Signature Method Accept typed, drawn, or uploaded signatures per state rules
Authentication Email, SMS code or identity proofing for RON workflows
Supporting ID Require uploaded photo ID and optional secondary ID
Retention Store applications and video recordings per retention policy

Typical Online Filing Flow

A simplified sequence for digital application and notarization processing.

  • Upload Documents: Submit completed application and ID scans through the portal.
  • Place Fields: Map signature, date, and oath fields for applicant.
  • Add Signers: Enter applicant email and any required reviewer addresses.
  • Authenticate & Sign: Applicant verifies identity and completes signature steps.

Technical Requirements for eSubmission and eSigning

Ensure the chosen provider supports required compliance (ESIGN, state RON rules, HIPAA if applicable) and audit trails.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365
  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported for uploads
  • Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, and SSO available

Typical Processing Timelines and Key Deadlines

Timing varies by state and submission method; expect background checks and administrative processing before a commission is issued.

Application Processing Time:

State processing often takes 2–8 weeks depending on background checks.

Background Check Completion:

Fingerprinting or checks may add 1–4 weeks to processing.

Bond or Insurance Issuance:

Bonding company typically issues within 24–72 hours after payment.

Commission Effective Date:

Commission begins when the state issues the official certificate.

Renewal Deadline:

Renew prior to expiration to avoid a gap in commission authority.

Key Application Milestones

A sequential milestone view from submission to commissioning.

01

Submit Application

Complete form, attach ID and bond, and pay required fee.

02

Identity Verification

State performs ID checks and fingerprints if required.

03

Oath and Bond Filed

Execute oath and ensure bond or insurance is recorded.

04

Commission Issued

Receiving official commission document allows notarizations to begin.

What a Complete Professional Application Includes

A quality application package anticipates state requirements and supplies clear, verifiable evidence to speed approval and prevent follow-up requests.

Applicant ID

Clear copy of government-issued photo ID with matching name and DOB; Mismatched or low-quality scans often trigger rejections and slow processing.

Residential Details

Complete street address, county and ZIP. Some states use county residency to determine eligible commissioning authority and mailing procedures.

Surety Bond

Evidence of the required surety bond or proof of exemption. Bond amounts are state-prescribed and protect the public from notarial misconduct claims.

Oath or Affirmation

Signed oath or affirmation before an authorized official. Many states require an in-person or verified remote oath at commissioning.

Fee Payment

Receipt or confirmation of submitted fee. Fee amount and accepted payment methods (card, check) differ by jurisdiction and filing channel.

Training or Exam

Completion certificates for required education or exams where the state requires training; include course name, provider, and completion date.

Real-World Examples of Notary Process Improvements

These brief examples show how digital tools and prepared applications reduce friction and speed approvals.

Tim Martin — Founder

Martin Properties digitized notary workflows for lease signings to reduce in-person requirements and speed closings.

  • The result was fewer scheduling conflicts for tenants and staff.
  • Over time the firm reported smoother tenant onboarding and fewer missing signature incidents by standardizing application and notary steps.

John Butler — Founder

Fertility Centers of Illinois centralized notary applications and identity checks for staff notaries.

  • That reduced duplicate submissions and improved recordkeeping.
  • Consolidation enabled consistent training, simplified renewals, and clearer audit trails for regulatory compliance.

Primary People Involved in the Application Process

County Clerk

County clerks or state notary administrators process applications, verify bonds and oaths, and maintain official commission records. Their review ensures applicants meet residency, age, and character criteria under state law and they coordinate issuance of the commission certificate.

Notary Applicant

The applicant completes the form, obtains any required bond or insurance, and provides ID and proof of training. Applicants must follow state rules for oath, fingerprinting, or education to avoid denial or delays.

Common Preparation Errors That Delay Approval

  • Submitting mismatched name or incomplete ID scans which prevent identity verification and require re-submission.
  • Failing to attach required bond or evidence of insurance when the state mandates it, causing application denial.
  • Using the wrong county or jurisdiction on the form, triggering transfer delays or additional filings.
  • Missing required oath signatures or dates, which can invalidate the submission and require the process to restart.

Consequences of Incorrect or Improper Applications

Application Rejection: Resubmission required
Commission Voidance: Notarial acts may be invalid
Civil Liability: Potential bond claims
Criminal Penalties: False statements may trigger charges
Fines: Administrative penalties possible
Recordkeeping Risk: Missing retention obligations

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Filing and Managing Applications

Comparison of representative vendor starting prices and key features relevant to notary applications and document workflows. Pricing models vary by plan and billing frequency.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial, no credit card required Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Notary Public Applications

Answers to common questions about eligibility, processing, RON, and renewal to help avoid problems during submission.


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