Pennsylvania Notary FAQ
27 questions, cited to RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. §§ 301–331) and 4 Pa. Code. Updated after the March 28, 2026 final rule.
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Jump to a section: Commission basics · Fees (4 Pa. Code § 167.3) · Notarial acts · Stamp, journal, and records · Remote Online Notarization (RON) · Signing-agent work · Ethics and discipline
Commission basics
▸ How do I become a notary in Pennsylvania in 2026?
Complete the DOS-mandated 3-hour education course, pass the Pearson VUE exam (scaled score 75+), file a $25,000 surety bond with the Prothonotary of your commissioning county within 45 days of appointment, pay the $42 DOS application fee, and order a compliant stamp that matches your 7-digit commission ID. Full walkthrough: Becoming a PA notary step-by-step.
▸ How long is a PA notary commission?
Four years (57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d)). Reappointment requires 3 hours of continuing education and a new $25,000 bond. The DOS does not auto-renew — if you let it lapse, you restart the full process including the exam.
▸ How much does it cost to become a PA notary?
Minimum out-of-pocket in 2026 is about $231: $65 Pearson VUE exam, $42 DOS application, ~$40 education, ~$30 stamp, ~$50 four-year $25K bond (varies by surety). Typical range is $300–$450 depending on bond pricing and optional E&O insurance.
▸ Is E&O insurance required for PA notaries?
No — the $25K bond is mandatory, E&O is optional. The bond protects the public (pays claimants); E&O protects you (covers your defense and judgment). Most practicing notaries carry $25K–$100K E&O for about $20–$80/yr. See Do PA notaries need E&O?
▸ What happens if my PA notary commission expires?
Your authority stops at 11:59 PM on the expiry date. Any notarization after that is void and may constitute UPL. Reappointment requires the full process — education, exam, bond, application. Set a free reminder 120/60/30 days before expiry.
Fees (4 Pa. Code § 167.3)
▸ How much can a PA notary charge in 2026?
$5 per act for paper notarizations (acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, copy certification, oath/affirmation); RON has a $5 base + $20 per-signature surcharge capped at $25 total. Travel fees for mobile work are "reasonable and customary" and must be disclosed before the act. Full schedule: Fee Calculator.
▸ Can a PA notary charge travel fees for mobile work?
Yes — 4 Pa. Code § 167.3 permits reasonable and customary travel fees, but they must be disclosed to the signer and agreed to before the notarial act. They are negotiated separately from the per-act fee cap.
▸ Can a PA notary waive the per-act fee?
Yes. The fee schedule is a maximum, not a minimum. Many notaries waive fees for family, non-profits, or as a courtesy to existing clients.
▸ Is a PA apostille $15?
Yes — the PA Department of State charges $15 per document for apostilles and authentications (for Hague Convention countries). The notary's commission must be current and the document must be properly notarized. See PA apostille and notarized documents.
Notarial acts
▸ What is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?
An acknowledgment (57 Pa.C.S. § 305(a)) confirms the signer signed freely and voluntarily. A jurat (§ 305(b)) adds an oath — the signer swears the document's contents are true under penalty of perjury. Only the jurat requires the signer to sign in your presence. Full comparison: Acknowledgment vs. jurat.
▸ Can a PA notary notarize for a family member?
Technically yes, but the notary must have no beneficial interest in the transaction (57 Pa.C.S. § 323). Best practice is to refuse — the optics almost always look worse than the statute. Read full analysis.
▸ Can a PA notary explain what a document means?
No. Explaining documents is the unauthorized practice of law under 57 Pa.C.S. § 325(a). The only safe answer is "I can't explain that — please consult an attorney." See The one question that gets PA notaries in trouble.
▸ What if I made a mistake on a notary certificate?
Under 4 Pa. Code § 167.121(5), you may correct a ministerial error on your own certificate — strike through neatly, initial, date the correction. Substantive errors (wrong signer name, wrong act type) require redoing the notarization. See What to do if a notary made a mistake.
▸ Can a PA notary notarize a document in a language they don't read?
Yes, if the notary can communicate with the signer about the notarial act (not the document contents) and the certificate itself is in English or includes an English translation. The notary is certifying the signer, not the document.
Stamp, journal, and records
▸ What are the PA notary stamp requirements?
Rectangular seal, maximum 1" × 3.5", black or blue ink, reproducible. Must include: "Notary Public," notary's printed name as appointed, county of commissioning, 4-year commission expiry date, and 7-digit commission ID. See Full stamp spec.
▸ What do I do if my notary stamp is lost or damaged?
Lost or stolen stamps must be reported to DOS within 10 days (57 Pa.C.S. § 319(d)). Damaged stamps can be replaced without DOS notification — the replacement must match the original exactly. The old stamp must be destroyed. Full procedure: Stamp lost, damaged, or expired.
▸ Is a journal required for PA notaries?
Yes, for all notarial acts. RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. § 319) requires a chronological record with date, time, act type, signer name, ID method, and fee charged. PA prohibits recording full SSNs, driver's license numbers, or account numbers.
▸ Can I use an electronic journal in PA?
Yes, provided it meets tamper-evident requirements and the DOS-approved e-notary/RON platform supports compliant journaling. Paper journals must be bound.
▸ How long must I keep my PA notary journal?
RULONA requires retention for 10 years after the last entry (57 Pa.C.S. § 319(c)). After your commission ends, deposit the journal with the Prothonotary of your commissioning county within 30 days of resignation, death, or non-reappointment.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
▸ Can I do RON in Pennsylvania?
Yes, if you register with DOS, use a DOS-approved vendor, complete the 3-hour electronic-notarization training, and follow the § 306.1 procedure (credential analysis + KBA + audio-video recording + signer attestation of PA physical presence).
▸ Which RON platforms are PA-approved?
DOS publishes the list at pa.gov. As of April 2026, active approved platforms include Proof (formerly Notarize), BlueNotary, OneNotary, NotaryCam, SIGNiX, and several others. Pavaso closed January 1, 2026 but may still appear on the DOS PDF — do not use them. Full shakeout analysis: After Pavaso: the PA RON platform landscape.
▸ How much can I charge for RON?
$5 base + $20 per-signature surcharge, capped at $25 per act. This cap is the PA statutory maximum; platform fees (monthly subscription, per-notarization pass-through) are separate and cut into your margin.
▸ Do I need the signer to physically be in PA for RON?
Yes. Under 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1, the notary must be physically in PA; the signer may be anywhere, but the notary must record the signer's attestation of location. This is what makes PA RON useful for out-of-state signers on PA transactions.
Signing-agent work
▸ Does PA separately commission notary signing agents?
No. Pennsylvania does not have a separate signing-agent license. Any commissioned PA notary can do loan signings. Title companies usually require a separate background check, $100K E&O, and proof of NNA NSA or equivalent training. See Notary signing agent in PA.
▸ Can a signing agent explain loan documents to the borrower?
No. Signing agents operate under the same UPL prohibition as all other notaries — they can point to signature lines and notarize, but cannot explain the legal effect of APR, prepayment penalties, or rescission rights. Refer borrowers to the loan officer.
Ethics and discipline
▸ What happens if I violate PA notary law?
4 Pa. Code § 167.121 lists 26 prohibited acts. Violations can trigger DOS commission revocation, $500–$2,500 civil penalties, and potentially criminal charges (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 unsworn falsification). Private lawsuits can also come via the $25K bond or direct claims.
▸ What is the "notario" rule in PA?
57 Pa.C.S. § 325(c) prohibits PA notaries from advertising as "notario público" or implying they can practice immigration law. This targets predatory scams aimed at Spanish-speaking immigrants; the penalty is immediate commission revocation plus civil/criminal exposure. DOS has a dedicated advisory PDF.
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This page is educational information, not legal advice. Pennsylvania notary law changes; always verify against the current version of RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. §§ 301–331) and 4 Pa. Code at pa.gov. Consult a PA-licensed attorney for specific situations.