How Do You Become An Online Notary In Maryland?

As of October 1, 2020, Maryland Notaries have the opportunity to register and perform remote ink notarizations. To become a remote Notary in Maryland, you can follow these steps:

Start by holding an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public in Maryland.
Contract with a remote notarization technology provider or providers that facilitate remote notarization services.
Download and complete the Remote Notary Notification Form, which is a crucial document for the registration process.
Submit your completed Remote Notary Notification Form along with a copy of your current Notary commission to remotenotary.sos@maryland.gov. This submission is a key step in the registration process to become a remote Notary in Maryland.

Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Maryland and approved with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your state's local Online Notary laws!

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How to Become a Traditional Notary in Maryland (Get your Notary Commission)

The process of becoming a Maryland Notary Public involves several distinct steps and requirements that aspiring Notaries must fulfill.

Ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements set forth by the state of Maryland.
Obtain three character references. Note that these references should not be family members or employers. Maryland residents are preferred for this purpose.
Enroll in a training course and successfully pass the exam offered by a state-approved provider.
Complete the Notary Public Application online. This application should include your provided references, electronic copies of your certificates demonstrating course completion and exam success, your choice of state senator or county for commission, and the payment of a $9 application fee.
The Division will send your application to your chosen state senator for endorsement. If the senator grants approval, the application is then returned to the Secretary of State for further processing.
Upon approval by the Governor, your Notary appointment will be confirmed, and your Notary commission will be sent to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office.
The Secretary of State's office will notify you via email to appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office within 30 days.
Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office to either schedule an appointment or confirm walk-in availability. Attend the appointment to take your oath and pay an $11 fee. Your commission certificate will then be emailed to you.
Purchase your Notary seal and journal to fulfill your official duties as a Notary Public.
Consider obtaining Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, which is optional but strongly recommended for added protection in your Notary role.

Once you have completed all these steps and obtained your commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Maryland.

What are the requirements to become a Notary in Maryland?

To become a Notary Public in Maryland, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Be at least 18 years old.
Demonstrate good moral character, integrity, and competence.
Reside in Maryland or have a place of employment or practice within the state.

For further details, consult the Maryland Notary Handbook or the Maryland SoS Website.

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Updated on: 26/06/2024