Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$42
Issuing Authority
Pennsylvania Department of State
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free Tier Acknowledgment
Authorized
Jurat
Authorized
Oath / Affirmation
Authorized
Affidavit
Authorized
Deposition
Authorized
Protest
Authorized
Copy Certification
Authorized
Bills in Chancery
— Not authorized
Witnessing
Authorized
Safe Deposit Box
— Not authorized
Advanced Services
Pro Tier Remote Online Notarization
Authorized
Marriage Solemnization
— Not authorized
eNotarization
Authorized
Electronic Copy Cert.
Authorized
Identity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Available
Pennsylvania authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Key Considerations
- Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) effective October 26, 2017 - fundamentally changed PA notary duties
- Act 97 (October 29, 2020) made RON permanent - remains active indefinitely
- Journal MANDATORY for all notaries
- Rubber stamp seal REQUIRED (embosser optional)
- Copy certification ALLOWED (unlike NY) but not for public/vital records
Regulatory Authority
Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries
Visit official websiteGet the Full Pennsylvania Compliance Guide
Step-by-step notarization guides with legal citations, fee schedules, and certificate templates.
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