|
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 your county clerk and the Tennessee Secretary of State using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
Tennessee notaries public are elected by the county legislative body, then commissioned by the Secretary of State. Online notarization under the Online Notary Public Act (effective July 1, 2019) is a later SOS commission for an already-active county notary. You must complete an SOS-approved online-notary course and exam and contract with a technology vendor before you apply. The online commission expires on the same day as the traditional county commission.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the county clerk and Secretary of State 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 your county clerk and the Tennessee Secretary of State’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a Tennessee notary public, you must meet all of the following:
|
|
|
Start Here: County Commission, Then Online Notary Application
You must already be an active notary. Contract with a technology vendor and finish the approved course and exam before you file the $75 online application.
|
1
|
Read the official notary and online-notary pages Open How to become a Notary and How to become an Online Notary Public. Review TCA 8-16-301 et seq. and Chapter 1360-07-03. |
|
2
|
Complete the traditional county process Use How to become a Notary and your county clerk. |
|
3
|
If you already hold an active Tennessee commission, apply for the online notary commission before the first remote session Follow How to become an Online Notary Public. The initial SOS fee is $75. |
Part 1: Traditional Tennessee Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired, active Tennessee notary public commission. You cannot apply to be an online notary until that is in place.
Checklist
|
1
|
Review the official how-to How to become a Notary and your county clerk. |
|
2
|
Complete traditional notary education Not listed on the SOS how-to page as a required statewide pre-commission course. Confirm any county education practice with the clerk. |
|
3
|
Obtain a surety bond Purchase a surety bond from a Tennessee insurance company or agency and provide proof to the county clerk. Confirm the required coverage amount with the clerk; the SOS how-to page does not print a statewide figure. |
|
4
|
Submit the traditional application File the county clerk’s application with the county application fee, stand for election by the county legislative body, then wait for the SOS to issue the commission to the clerk. Confirm the county fee and commission term with that clerk. |
|
5
|
Pick up the commission and obtain a seal The Secretary of State returns the commission to the county clerk for pickup. Obtain a notary seal at your own expense. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
The SOS does not recommend or endorse third-party vendors. Contract first for identity proofing, credential analysis, audio-visual storage, and the electronic seal, signature, and certificate. Attach vendor materials and the course certificate to the online application.
Have these ready
|
|
|
|
Checklist
|
1
|
Read the official online-notary instructions How to become an Online Notary Public, the Online Notary Public Act, and Chapter 1360-07-03. |
|
2
|
Complete online notary education Complete a course of instruction concerning online notarization and pass an examination from a course provider approved by the Secretary of State. Attach the certificate to the application. The approved-provider list is linked from How to become an Online Notary Public. |
|
3
|
Start the online commission application Set up an SOS online account and complete the Online Notary Application. Provide the dates of your current county commission; they must match SOS records. |
|
4
|
Sign with a digital certificate Contract with the vendor before you apply. Attach: vendor name and technology description; journal method; electronic seal; electronic notarial certificate / tamper-evident signature; authentication instructions; and identity-proofing/credential-analysis instructions. |
|
5
|
Upload your electronic seal Attach the electronic seal PDF (or other accepted file) in the online application. There is no separate SOS seal shop. |
|
6
|
Pay and submit Submit and pay online. The initial fee is $75. Do not perform online notarizations until the SOS has issued the online notary commission. |
After You Are Commissioned
|
|
Do not perform an online notarization until the Secretary of State has issued the online notary commission.
Fees Listed by the Secretary of State
The $75 online-notary fee is from How to become an Online Notary Public. County application and bond amounts are set locally. Confirm them with your county clerk before you pay.
| Item | Listed amount |
|---|---|
| Traditional notary education | Not listed on the SOS how-to page |
| Online notary course and exam | Paid to an SOS-approved course provider (no statewide course dollar amount on the online-notary guide) |
| Traditional application | County clerk fee (confirm with your county) |
| Online notary application | $75 |
| Surety bond | Required; statewide dollar amount not printed on the SOS how-to page (confirm with your county clerk) |
Official Tennessee Links
| Resource | Where to go |
|---|---|
| How to become a Notary | sos.tn.gov/businesses/guides/how-to-become-a-notary |
| How to become an Online Notary Public | sos.tn.gov/businesses/guides/how-to-become-an-online-notary-public |
| Third-party vendor FAQ | sos.tn.gov/.../do-you-have-a-list-of-approved-third-party-vendors-for-online-notaries |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: No. Only a currently active county-commissioned notary may apply. Contract with a vendor and finish the approved course and exam before you submit the $75 application.
Q: Does Tennessee approve a list of RON platforms?
A: No. The Secretary of State does not recommend or endorse third-party vendors. The platform must provide identity proofing, credential analysis, recording storage, and the electronic seal, signature, and certificate.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use How to become an Online Notary Public and How to become a Notary. Confirm county fees with your county clerk.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
