Quick Facts
Commission Term
10 years
Bond
$500
Application Fee
$25
Issuing Authority
South Carolina Secretary of State
Journal
OptionalTraditionalMandatoryRON
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes South Carolina distinctive
- South Carolina permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 29 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- South Carolina's 10-year commission term is longer than the national median of 4 years, meaning fewer renewals over a notary's career.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Available
South Carolina authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Key Considerations
- South Carolina notaries have 10-year commission term (longer than most states)
- South Carolina is one of only a few states (FL, ME, MO, MT, NV, SC, TN) authorizing notaries to solemnize marriages
- No statutory fee cap for marriage ceremonies - notaries may charge reasonable fee as agreed
- $500 surety bond required (relatively low compared to many states)
- RON authorized effective July 1, 2019 under S.C. Code § 26-3-10 et seq. (Remote Notarization Act)
Regulatory Authority
South Carolina Secretary of State
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-10 et seq.
Notaries Public
Primary statutory authority for South Carolina notaries
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-110
Disqualification from acting
Prohibits notarizing when notary is party to transaction or for immediate family members
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-150
Acting with expired commission
Criminal violation to perform notarial acts with expired commission for fee
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-160
Fees
Maximum $5 fee per traditional notarial act; travel fees may be charged separately
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-10 et seq.
SCRULONA - Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments
South Carolina Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-60
Notarial acts
Defines acknowledgments, jurats, and other notarial acts
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-70
Copy certification
Authority and prohibitions for certifying copies of documents
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-3-10 et seq.
Remote Notarization Act
Remote online notarization authorization, effective July 1, 2019
S.C. Code Ann. § 26-3-130
RON fees
Maximum $25 fee per remote online notarial act
S.C. Code Ann. § 20-1-20
Who may solemnize matrimony
Authorization for notaries public to perform marriage ceremonies; requires 2 witnesses; 15-day return requirement
S.C. UCC
Uniform Commercial Code
Authority for protests of negotiable instruments
S.C. Rules of Civil Procedure
Civil Procedure Rules
Governs depositions and testimony procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in South Carolina?
A South Carolina notary public commission is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the South Carolina Secretary of State before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in South Carolina?
South Carolina charges $25 as the application fee to the South Carolina Secretary of State. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does South Carolina require a notary bond?
Yes. South Carolina requires a notary surety bond of $500. 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 South Carolina?
Journal requirements in South Carolina are: OptionalTraditionalMandatoryRON. Consult the South Carolina Secretary of State for the current authoritative rule.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina 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 South Carolina Secretary of State.
Can South Carolina notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. South Carolina 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 South Carolina notaries use?
South Carolina 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 South Carolina cap notary fees?
Yes. South Carolina sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Maximum $5 per traditional notarial act (S.C. Code § 26-1-160); maximum $25 per RON notarial act (S.C. Code § 26-3-130); no statutory cap for marriage ceremonies; travel fees may be charged separately as agreed
Who regulates notaries in South Carolina?
South Carolina notaries are commissioned and regulated by the South Carolina Secretary of State. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Can South Carolina notaries solemnize marriages?
Yes. South Carolina is one of a small number of states that authorize notaries public to solemnize marriages. The exact ceremony format and recordkeeping requirements are governed by both notary law and family law in the state — consult both before officiating.
Does South Carolina authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. South Carolina 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 South Carolina notaries perform?
South Carolina notaries are authorized to perform 12 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 South Carolina?
Start your application through the South Carolina Secretary of State.
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