How to Become a Notary Public in South Carolina

Checked against South Carolina Secretary of State, Notaries Division · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: 10 years
State fee: $25.00
Bond: None stated
Commissioned by: South Carolina Secretary of State, Notaries Division

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

You must be a registered voter in South Carolina at your home address.
You must be able to read and write English.
Your application cannot contain a significant false statement or omission.

Step by step

Download the Notary Public Application and Renewal Application.
Type or print your information and sign it in ink in front of a South Carolina notary.
Choose a payment method for the $25 fee: card, check, money order, or cash.
Mail all pages to your county legislative delegation office, or to the House of Representatives if your county has none.
Wait for the delegation to endorse your application and forward it to the Secretary of State.
If you chose card payment, pay through the link emailed to you.
After you receive your commission, enroll it with the Clerk of Court in your county within 15 days.

Official application →

No state exam here, but notaries are liable for mistakes. Check your notary knowledge with the free practice test →

What it costs in South Carolina

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

Notarizing your signature on the application (set by the notary, max $5)$
Commission fee (Secretary of State)$25
Card payment service fee (SC.GOV)(optional)$1.43
Clerk of Court filing fee to enroll your commission (S.C. Code 8-21-310)$10
Notary seal or stamp$

Estimated total in South Carolina$35Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

$1.43 service fee if you pay by credit or debit card
Clerk of Court enrollment fee in your county (amount varies)
Notary stamp or seal (cost varies)

Pay in South Carolina

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in South Carolina after taxes.

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Renew with the same paper application and $25 fee; there are no automatic reminders, so track your own expiration date. Send the application at least 8-12 weeks before your commission expires so your legislative delegation and the Secretary of State have time to process it.

Remote online notarization: No remote online notarization is described. South Carolina's electronic notary program requires the signer to be physically present with the notary, and it needs a separate online registration with a training video and test.

Good to know in South Carolina

What you can charge: S.C. Code Section 26-1-100(A) caps notary fees at $5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats and signature witnessings, $5 per person for an oath or affirmation without a signature, and $5 per certificate for a verification of fact.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with South Carolina Secretary of State, Notaries Division before you apply.