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Bond

Also called: notary bond, surety bond

A surety instrument required as a condition of receiving a Pennsylvania notary commission. Under the March 28, 2026 final rule (56 Pa.B. 1672), the bond amount is **$25,000** for new and renewing commissions (raised from $10,000).

A notary bond protects the public, not the notary. If a notary’s misconduct causes financial loss, injured parties can claim against the bond. The notary is then responsible for reimbursing the surety. This is why most PA notaries also purchase errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance — to protect themselves, not the public.

The pre-2026 bond was $10,000. Commissions issued before the effective date of the 2026 rule remain at that lower level until renewal.

Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.16 — Notary bond (as amended by 56 Pa.B. 1672, March 28 2026) — link

See also: commission, errors-omissions-insurance

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.