Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
$10,000
Application Fee
$17
Issuing Authority
County Clerk (with approval from Secretary of State)
Journal
Required if fees charged
Fee Caps
No caps
What makes Tennessee distinctive
- Tennessee permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 29 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Tennessee's $17 application fee is among the lowest in the country (national median is $30).
- Tennessee authorizes 14 distinct notarial acts — more than most states, where the median is 11.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Available
Tennessee authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Key Considerations
- Williamson County application fee: $17
- Notaries can perform notarizations in ANY county in Tennessee
- Marriage solemnization added effective April 28, 2021
- RON authorized effective July 1, 2019
Regulatory Authority
Tennessee Secretary of State
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
TN Code § 8-16-101 et seq.
Notaries Public - General Provisions
Primary statutory authority for Tennessee notaries
TN Code § 8-16-112
Powers of Notaries Public
Defines scope of authority and powers of notaries
TN Code § 8-16-301 et seq.
Online Notary Public Act
Remote online notarization authorization and requirements
TN Code § 66-22-101 to § 66-22-115
Acknowledgment of Instruments
Requirements for acknowledgments and certificate forms
TN Code § 66-22-107
Certificate of Acknowledgment - Form
Statutory form for acknowledgment certificates
TN Code § 36-3-301
Marriage Solemnization by Notaries
Authorization for notaries to perform marriage ceremonies
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Tennessee?
A Tennessee notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Tennessee Secretary of State before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Tennessee?
Tennessee charges $17 as the application fee to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Tennessee require a notary bond?
Yes. Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee requires a notary journal only when fees are charged for notarial acts. Notaries performing pro bono work may be exempt, though keeping a journal is still recommended for evidentiary protection.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee 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 Tennessee Secretary of State.
Can Tennessee notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Tennessee 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 Tennessee notaries use?
Tennessee 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 Tennessee cap notary fees?
Tennessee does not set hard statutory maximums on notarial fees. Reasonable fee standard - no statutory caps
Who regulates notaries in Tennessee?
Tennessee notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Tennessee Secretary of State. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Can Tennessee notaries solemnize marriages?
Yes. Tennessee 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 Tennessee authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Tennessee 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 Tennessee notaries perform?
Tennessee notaries are authorized to perform 14 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 Tennessee?
Start your application through the Tennessee Secretary of State.
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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 Acknowledgments: 50-State Guide
Authoritative reference for acknowledgment certificate language across all 50 states, including short-form versus long-form requirements.
How to Become a Notary Public
Step-by-step path from application to commission, including bond and surety insurance decisions and ongoing compliance obligations.
Get the Full Tennessee Compliance Guide
Step-by-step notarization guides with legal citations, fee schedules, and certificate templates.
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