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

Yes, a $10,000 surety bond, or in some counties two personal sureties who each pledge $10,000. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.

Do you apply to the Secretary of State or your county?

Your county. You file with the county clerk and are elected by the county commission; the Secretary of State then issues the commission.

Is there an exam for Tennessee notaries?

Not for traditional notaries. Since January 1, 2026 only online notary applicants must take a course and exam under SB1051.

Can a Tennessee notary work in other counties?

Yes. Tennessee notaries have statewide, at-large authority and may notarize in any county, even though they are elected in one.

How long does a Tennessee notary commission last?

Four years from the date the Governor issues it. You must be re-elected and re-bonded to renew.

Becoming a Notary in Tennessee (2026): Cost, Bond & the County Vote

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Tennessee notary rules are set in Title 8, Chapter 16 of the Tennessee Code and can change, so confirm the details with your county clerk and the Tennessee Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Tennessee you must be 18 and live or work in the county where you apply. Unlike most states, you are elected by your county commission and then commissioned by the Governor. You post a $10,000 bond, take an oath at the county clerk, and there is no exam for traditional notaries. The commission lasts four years and gives you statewide authority. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Tennessee?

Becoming a Tennessee notary usually costs $75 to $110, with the surety bond and a county filing fee as the main charges. The bond premium runs about $30 to $60 for the four-year term, and the county filing fee varies, commonly $12 to $17, though some counties charge more. The rest is your stamp and journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Tennessee?

You become a Tennessee notary by being elected by your county commission and then qualifying at the county clerk. The steps, in order, are:

Submit a notarized application to your county clerk. File it before the deadline for the next county commission meeting, since the commission must vote on applicants.
Be elected by the county commission. The legislative body votes on your election, and the county clerk certifies it to the Secretary of State.
Wait for the Governor's commission. The state prepares your commission, signed by the Governor and Secretary of State, and returns it to the county clerk with your exact term dates.
Buy a $10,000 bond with your exact commission dates. Only after you have the dates, purchase the bond, since the name and dates must match your commission.
Take the oath and get your seal. Appear at the county clerk, file the bond, take the oath, sign the record book, and receive your seal.

Why are Tennessee notaries elected by the county commission?

Tennessee is one of the few states where notaries are elected rather than simply appointed by a state agency, a tradition built into the state code. Your county's legislative body votes to elect you, which is why timing matters: you must file with the county clerk before the meeting where applications are considered, and those meetings are often only every other month. Once elected and commissioned, your authority is statewide, so a notary elected in one county can notarize anywhere in Tennessee.

What are the requirements to become a Tennessee notary?

The Tennessee requirements are straightforward apart from the election step. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, able to read and write English, and either a resident of or employed in the county where you apply. You also certify that you have never been removed as a notary for misconduct, had a commission revoked, or been found to have practiced law without a license. The main cost is the $10,000 bond, and in some counties you may instead provide two personal sureties who pledge $10,000 each.

Do you need an exam to be a Tennessee notary?

No exam is required for a traditional Tennessee notary, but a new rule applies if you want to notarize online. Under SB1051, effective January 1, 2026, anyone applying for an online notary commission must complete a state-approved course and pass an exam covering electronic notarization. Traditional in-person notaries are not affected, so if you only plan to notarize in person you can skip the course and test entirely.

How do you renew or notarize online in Tennessee?

You renew by repeating the original process before your four-year term ends: a new application to the county clerk, re-election by the county commission, a fresh $10,000 bond, and a new oath. Acting as a notary after your commission expires is a misdemeanor, so do not let it lapse. To notarize online you complete the SB1051 course and exam and register as an online notary, which is separate from your traditional commission.

Becoming a Tennessee notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in Tennessee?: Yes, a $10,000 surety bond, or in some counties two personal sureties who each pledge $10,000. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.
Do you apply to the Secretary of State or your county?: Your county. You file with the county clerk and are elected by the county commission; the Secretary of State then issues the commission.
Is there an exam for Tennessee notaries?: Not for traditional notaries. Since January 1, 2026 only online notary applicants must take a course and exam under SB1051.
Can a Tennessee notary work in other counties?: Yes. Tennessee notaries have statewide, at-large authority and may notarize in any county, even though they are elected in one.
How long does a Tennessee notary commission last?: Four years from the date the Governor issues it. You must be re-elected and re-bonded to renew.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services; Tennessee Code Title 8, Chapter 16; and county clerk notary offices. Confirm current fees and steps with your county clerk and the Tennessee Secretary of State before applying.