|
Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
Maryland commissions notaries through the Secretary of State, with appointment involving your State Senator and an oath before the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Commissioned notaries who will perform remote notarial acts file a remote notary notification in the online system and, for electronic records, select an authorized RON vendor.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a Maryland notary public, you must meet all of the following:
|
|
|
Start Here: Online Application, Then Remote Notification
Complete course, exam, and the $25 online application. After you are sworn, file the remote notary notification before remote acts on electronic records.
|
1
|
Read the Notary Division pages Open Notary Division, New Notary Applicant, and Remote Notary Information. |
|
2
|
Apply online Use Maryland notary online filing. Processing after payment is listed as about 2–14 days for a new application. |
|
3
|
If you already hold a Maryland commission, file the remote notification before the first remote electronic-record act The form is online only at Maryland notary online filing. Determination is listed as about 1–3 days. |
Part 1: Traditional Maryland Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired Maryland notary public commission. You still need the remote notary notification before remote acts that use a RON vendor.
Checklist
|
1
|
Review the official how-to New Notary Applicant and the Notary Handbook (order form linked from that page; handbook $30). |
|
2
|
Complete traditional notary education New applicants: authorized course of study and examination. Tuition is paid to the authorized provider, not listed as a separate SOS class dollar amount on the new-applicant page. |
|
3
|
Obtain a surety bond Not listed on the official New Notary Applicant or FAQ pages as a required surety bond. |
|
4
|
Submit the traditional application File on Maryland notary online filing and pay the $25 SOS application fee. A background check is part of review. Your senator (or the SOS if delegated) makes the determination. |
|
5
|
Take the oath and receive the commission Clerk of Court fees listed as $10 for the commission and $1 registration. The clerk swears you in; the commission is then emailed. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
The remote notification is no longer accepted on paper. Select one or both: remote acts on electronic records using an authorized RON vendor; and/or remote acts using other communication technology. If you select a RON vendor, use only a vendor on the SOS authorized list.
Have these ready
|
|
|
|
Checklist
|
1
|
Read the official online-notary instructions |
|
2
|
Complete online notary education Not listed on the official remote notary page as a separate required SOS RON course. Complete any training your authorized vendor requires. Traditional course/exam is a Part 1 requirement. |
|
3
|
Start the online commission application Submit the remote notary notification on Maryland notary online filing. Choose the remote type(s) you will perform and, if applicable, the authorized vendor(s). |
|
4
|
Sign with a digital certificate Use the authorized RON vendor you selected. If the form is incomplete or names an unauthorized vendor, you will be told you are not authorized and may resubmit. |
|
5
|
Upload your electronic seal Maryland’s remote notification is the online form, not a separate SOS seal-upload portal. Complete seal setup with the vendor. |
|
6
|
Pay and submit Not listed as a separate SOS dollar fee on the remote notary page reviewed for this checklist. Confirm any current notification fee in the online filing system. Wait for the confirmation email before remote acts. |
After You Are Commissioned
|
|
Do not perform remote notarial acts on electronic records until you receive the SOS confirmation email. Traditional commissioning is not a substitute for the remote notification.
Fees Listed by Maryland
SOS and clerk amounts are from New Notary Applicant. Confirm them there and on Maryland notary online filing before you pay. Course tuition is paid to an authorized provider. The optional handbook is $30.
| Item | Listed amount |
|---|---|
| Course of study and examination | Paid to an authorized provider (not listed as an SOS class dollar amount on the new-applicant page) |
| Notary Handbook (optional order) | $30 |
| SOS application | $25 |
| Clerk of Court commission + registration | $10 + $1 |
| Remote notary notification | Not listed as a separate SOS dollar fee on the remote notary page; confirm in the online filing system |
| Surety bond | Not listed on the official new-applicant or FAQ pages as required |
Official Maryland Links
| Resource | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Notary Division | sos.maryland.gov/Notary |
| Remote Notary Information | sos.maryland.gov/Notary/Pages/RemoteNotaryInfo.aspx |
| Authorized RON vendors | sos.maryland.gov/Documents/ListAuthorizedRONVendors.pdf |
| Notary Division email | [email protected] |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: No. Become a commissioned Maryland notary (including the clerk’s oath) first, then file the remote notary notification.
Q: Does Maryland approve a list of RON platforms?
A: Yes. Use an authorized remote online notary vendor from the SOS list for electronic-record remote acts. The office does not endorse any vendor.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use New Notary Applicant, Remote Notary Information, and Maryland notary online filing.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
