Do you need a bond to be a notary in Maryland?

No. Maryland does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Maryland notary?

No. You must be a legal resident or work legally in Maryland and be of good moral character; citizenship is not required.

Is a course and exam required in Maryland?

Yes. Since October 1, 2021 new applicants must complete an approved course and pass an exam, and renewing notaries take a refresher course.

How long must you keep your Maryland notary journal?

At least ten years. Maryland requires a journal, called a fair register, with numbered pages for all notarial acts.

What happens if you miss the 30-day oath deadline?

Your commission is revoked and you must reapply with a new fee, so appear at the Circuit Court clerk within 30 days of your approval notice.

How to Become a Notary in Maryland (2026): Steps, Cost & Exam

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Maryland notary rules are administered by the Secretary of State and can change, so confirm the details in the Maryland Notary Handbook before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Maryland you must be 18 and live or work in the state. Since October 2021 you must complete an approved course and pass an exam, then apply online with a $25 fee. Your application goes to your district's state senator for endorsement, and once approved you take an oath at the Circuit Court within 30 days. There is no bond, and the term is four years. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Maryland?

Becoming a Maryland notary usually costs $130 to $160, and a cost most guides leave out is the $30 Notary Handbook you are expected to order. The fixed government charges are the $25 application fee and the $11 clerk fee at your oath. The rest is the course and exam, your seal, and the journal Maryland requires. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Maryland?

You become a Maryland notary by completing the course and exam, getting your senator's endorsement, and taking an oath at the Circuit Court. The steps, in order, are:

Complete the course and exam. Take the Secretary of State-approved "Becoming a Notary Public" course and pass its exam, and order the Notary Handbook to review.
Apply online with the $25 fee. File through the Maryland Secretary of State portal, upload your course and exam certificates, and pay the fee.
Get your state senator's endorsement. The Secretary of State runs a background check and forwards your application to the senator of your district for approval.
Take your oath within 30 days. Once approved, you are emailed instructions to appear at the Circuit Court clerk, pay the $11 fee, and be sworn in.
Equip yourself. After the oath you receive your commission by email; then get your seal and a journal before you notarize.

Why does your state senator have to approve your application?

Maryland routes every notary application to the state senator of the applicant's district for endorsement, a step most states do not have. After the Secretary of State reviews your application and background, it goes to your senator, who approves or denies it, and the senator may delegate that authority back to the Secretary of State. For an out-of-state applicant who works in Maryland, the endorsing senator's jurisdiction determines which Circuit Court you visit for your oath.

Do you need a course and exam to become a Maryland notary?

Yes, since October 1, 2021 all new Maryland applicants must complete an approved education course and pass an exam before applying, so older guides that skip this are out of date. The course covers Maryland notary laws, regulations, and ethics, and you upload your certificates of completion and passing with the online application. Renewing notaries take a shorter approved refresher course rather than the full new-applicant version.

What are the requirements to become a Maryland notary?

The Maryland requirements pair the new education step with character review, but no bond. You must be at least 18, of good moral character, and either a Maryland resident or someone who works in Maryland; U.S. citizenship is not required as long as you are a legal resident or work legally in the state. You complete the course and exam, secure senatorial approval, and keep a journal, called a fair register, with numbered pages that you must retain for at least ten years. A seal is mandatory on every notarization.

How do you renew or notarize online in Maryland?

You renew by completing the approved refresher course and filing a renewal application with the $25 fee, then taking a new oath at the Circuit Court, since Maryland requires the oath each time a commission is issued. The Secretary of State usually sends a renewal notice before your four-year term ends. Maryland also permits remote online notarization, so once you hold a commission you can register as a remote notary with the Secretary of State and use an approved platform with audio-video recording.

Becoming a Maryland notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in Maryland?: No. Maryland does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Maryland notary?: No. You must be a legal resident or work legally in Maryland and be of good moral character; citizenship is not required.
Is a course and exam required in Maryland?: Yes. Since October 1, 2021 new applicants must complete an approved course and pass an exam, and renewing notaries take a refresher course.
How long must you keep your Maryland notary journal?: At least ten years. Maryland requires a journal, called a fair register, with numbered pages for all notarial acts.
What happens if you miss the 30-day oath deadline?: Your commission is revoked and you must reapply with a new fee, so appear at the Circuit Court clerk within 30 days of your approval notice.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division, and the Handbook for Maryland Notaries Public; Maryland Courts, Clerk of the Circuit Court. Confirm current fees and steps with the Maryland Secretary of State before applying.