Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
$10,000
Application Fee
$42
Issuing Authority
Pennsylvania Department of State
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes Pennsylvania distinctive
- Pennsylvania permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 29 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Pennsylvania requires a notary journal for every official act — only 17 of 50 states do.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity 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 websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
57 Pa.C.S. Title 57
Notaries Public
Primary statutory authority for PA notaries
57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA)
Comprehensive notary framework effective October 26, 2017
57 Pa.C.S. § 305
Requirements for Certain Notarial Acts
Requirements for acknowledgments, jurats, witnessing, etc.
57 Pa.C.S. § 306
Notarial Act in this Commonwealth on Electronic Record
Copy certification authority including electronic records
57 Pa.C.S. § 307
Certificate of Notarial Act
Certificate requirements and forms
57 Pa.C.S. § 319
Electronic Notarization
IPEN authorization and requirements
57 Pa.C.S. § 319.1
Remote Online Notarization
RON authorization and requirements
57 Pa.C.S. § 321
Appointment and Commission
Commission requirements, qualifications, term
Act 97 of 2020
Remote Online Notarization Permanent Authorization
Made RON permanent in PA (October 29, 2020)
23 Pa.C.S. § 1503
Who May Solemnize Marriages
Lists authorized marriage officiants (notaries NOT included)
57 Pa. Code Chapter 161
Notary Public Fees
Fee schedule regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Pennsylvania?
A Pennsylvania notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania charges $42 as the application fee to the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Pennsylvania require a notary bond?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a notary surety bond of $10,000. The bond protects the public against errors or misconduct by the notary; it is purchased from a licensed surety company, not the state.
Is a notary journal required in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a notary journal for every official act. The journal is a permanent record subject to inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries and must be retained for the period specified in state law.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries.
Can Pennsylvania notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Pennsylvania authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can Pennsylvania notaries use?
Pennsylvania notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Pennsylvania cap notary fees?
Yes. Pennsylvania sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Fees fixed by Secretary of Commonwealth with Attorney General approval; must be separately stated; must post or advise clients of fees
Who regulates notaries in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Pennsylvania authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Pennsylvania authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can Pennsylvania notaries perform?
Pennsylvania notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania?
Start your application through the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Elections and Notaries.
Related Articles
Remote Online Notarization (RON): State Guide 2026
State-by-state breakdown of which jurisdictions permit RON, the technology requirements, and the additional registration steps for notaries who want to offer it.
Notary Fees by State Guide
Comprehensive comparison of statutory fee caps across all 50 states, including travel surcharges, electronic notarization premiums, and pro-bono guidance.
Notary Journal Requirements by State
When a journal is legally required versus advisory, what must be recorded, retention periods, and how to handle subpoenas of journal entries.
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