How to Become a Notary Public in Maryland

Checked against Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Public Division · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $25
Bond: None stated
Commissioned by: Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Public Division

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old.
Be of good moral character and integrity.
Live in Maryland, or have a place of work or practice in Maryland.
If you live in Maryland, you are appointed through the state senator for your district and commissioned in your county of residence.
If you live outside Maryland, your home state must let Maryland residents serve as notaries there.
Disclose all criminal convictions and civil judgments; a background check is run.

Step by step

Order and review the Maryland notary handbook ($30), as the Secretary of State advises.
Complete an approved course of study and pass an approved exam. Save both certificates.
Find your legislative district and state senator.
Apply online at the Secretary of State portal, upload both certificates and your ID, list 3 references, and pay the $25 fee.
Wait for approval from your state senator or the Secretary of State, usually 2 to 14 days.
Within 30 days of the approval email, go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county, pay $11 and take the oath.
Get your commission by email, then buy a stamp and journal.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Course of study from a provider approved by the Secretary of State (list published by the state). The Secretary of State does not publish the course hours; confirm with the approved provider.

Exam: Exam given by a Secretary of State-approved provider, who issues a certificate of passing. The state does not publish the format or passing score; confirm with the approved provider.

Practice for the notary exam free — role & powers, prohibited acts, and procedures & recordkeeping →

What it costs in Maryland

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Notary handbook (Secretary of State, advised)(optional)$30
Approved course of study and exam (provider fee)$
Application fee (Secretary of State)$25
Clerk of the Circuit Court ($10 commission + $1 registration)$11
Notary stamp$
Notary journal$

Estimated total in Maryland$36Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

$11 at the Clerk of the Circuit Court ($10 commission + $1 registration)
$30 notary handbook
Course and exam fees set by the approved provider
Notary stamp
Notary journal (must be kept 10 years after the last entry)

Pay in Maryland

Maryland adds a local income tax on top of the state rate, so look up the local rate for your area before you budget.

How long it takes

The Secretary of State says a new application usually gets a decision in 2 to 14 days, though it can take 2 to 8 weeks if your state senator reviews it; you then have 30 days to take the oath at the circuit court clerk.

What other sites get wrong about Maryland

Myth: The Maryland notary application costs $11 ($9 plus a $2 convenience fee).

Fact: Since January 22, 2024, the Secretary of State's application fee is $25. The $11 is a separate fee paid to the circuit court clerk when you take the oath. source

Myth: Maryland notaries can charge up to $4 per act and $25 per remote act.

Fact: Since January 22, 2024, the caps are $8 per notarial act and $30 per remote notarial act (COMAR 01.02.08.02). source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Renew online from 60 days before to 30 days after expiration, with a new course-of-study certificate, then take the oath again at the circuit court clerk.

Remote online notarization: Yes. A notary files a remote notary notification form online, choosing an authorized RON vendor for electronic records, other communication technology for paper records, or both.

Good to know in Maryland

Oath deadline: If you do not take the oath before the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 30 days of being notified, your commission is revoked.

Renewal cost: Renewal costs the $25 application fee plus $11 to the circuit court clerk for the new oath, and the approved provider's fee for the required course of study.

What you can charge: Under COMAR 01.02.08.02, the maximum is $8 per notarial act and $30 per remote notarial act. You may also charge mileage at the IRS rate plus a travel fee of up to $5.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Public Division before you apply.