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Pennsylvania Notary Bond$10,000 • 4-Year Term

Get your Pennsylvania notary bond instantly. Required for all notaries in the Keystone State. 3-hour education course and exam required for first-time applicants.

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$10,000 bond required by Pennsylvania
3-hour course + exam (first-time)
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Quick Answer

According to 57 Pa. Code §165.7, Pennsylvania requires a $10,000 surety bond from an admitted insurer. Most applicants receive instant approval with no credit check. You must complete a 3-hour education course and pass an exam. File your bond with your county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment.

What Are the Pennsylvania Notary Requirements?

Education & Exam

  • Complete 3-hour approved education course
  • Pass Pearson VUE exam (first-time: $65)
  • Exam: 6 months to pass, unlimited attempts
  • Renewing notaries exempt from exam

Application Requirements

  • Must be 18+ and Pennsylvania resident
  • Post $10,000 surety bond
  • File with county recorder of deeds within 45 days
  • Pay $42 application fee

Critical 45-Day Filing Deadline: Pennsylvania notaries must file their $10,000 surety bond, commission certificate, and oath of office with their county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment. Missing this deadline voids your commission. Similar to contractor license bonds and probate bonds, notary bonds provide essential public protection.

How to Become a Pennsylvania Notary

1

Education

Complete 3-hour course

2

Exam

Pass Pearson VUE test

3

Bond

Get $10,000 bond

4

File

File with county (45 days)

Pennsylvania Notary Markets

Philadelphia & Eastern PA

Philadelphia: Financial district with Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, insurance companies. Real estate, fintech sector, legal services create premium notary demand.

Montgomery, Bucks, Chester Counties: Suburban Philadelphia markets with strong real estate activity and corporate headquarters.

Lehigh Valley: Distribution hub with Amazon, FedEx logistics. Pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences research.

Pittsburgh & Western PA

Pittsburgh: UPMC healthcare, Carnegie Mellon tech startups, robotics and AI. Transformation from steel to technology economy.

Allegheny County: Second-largest notary market with diverse industries from healthcare to autonomous vehicles.

Lancaster & Rural PA: Agricultural operations, farm succession planning, dairy farms, conservation easements, equipment financing.

Pennsylvania Notary Bond FAQs

How much does a Pennsylvania notary bond cost?
According to 57 Pa. Code §165.7, Pennsylvania requires a $10,000 notary bond. This one-time premium covers your entire commission period. Most applicants qualify for instant approval.
Is an exam required for Pennsylvania notaries?
Yes, first-time Pennsylvania notaries must pass an examination administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $65 per attempt (non-refundable). You have six months from authorization to pass the exam and may take it as many times as needed within that period. Renewing notaries who apply while their commission is still active are exempt from retaking the exam.
What education is required for Pennsylvania notaries?
All Pennsylvania notaries (both new and renewing) must complete a mandatory 3-hour educational course from a state-approved provider. This course must be completed within six months prior to your application.
How long is a Pennsylvania notary commission valid?
Pennsylvania notary commissions are valid for 4 years. You must renew your commission before it expires—if you apply even one day after expiration, you must retake the examination.
What is the 45-day filing deadline in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires notaries to file their $10,000 surety bond, commission, and oath of office with the county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment. If you miss this deadline, your commission becomes null and void.
How do I file my Pennsylvania notary bond?
After receiving your appointment, you must file your $10,000 surety bond with your county's recorder of deeds office within 45 days. The filing process and fees vary by county, so contact your local recorder of deeds for specific procedures.
What fees are required for Pennsylvania notary commission?
Pennsylvania charges a $42 non-refundable application fee. First-time applicants must also pay a $65 exam fee to Pearson VUE. Additionally, you'll need to purchase your $10,000 bond (typically $50-100) and complete the 3-hour education course (fees vary by provider).
Can I perform notarial acts immediately after appointment?
No, you can only perform notarial acts after your bond, commission, and oath of office are recorded with your county recorder of deeds AND you have your notary seal. You must complete this recording within 45 days of appointment.
What happens if my Pennsylvania notary commission expires?
If your commission expires, you cannot perform notarial acts until you renew. If you apply for reappointment even one day after expiration, you must retake and pass the examination, even if you previously held a commission.
Do I need errors and omissions (E&O) insurance in Pennsylvania?
E&O insurance is not legally required in Pennsylvania, but it's strongly recommended. The $10,000 bond protects the public but does not protect you personally. E&O insurance provides personal liability coverage for notary errors.
Which counties in Pennsylvania have the highest notary demand?
Philadelphia County and Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) have the highest demand due to large populations and diverse industries including finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties also have strong demand.
Can I notarize documents electronically in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania allows electronic notarization under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). The same $10,000 bond covers both traditional and electronic notarizations, but you may need additional registration or technology to perform remote online notarizations (RON).
How much can Pennsylvania notaries charge per notarial act?
Pennsylvania notaries may charge up to $5 per notarial act for most services as set by state law. Mobile notaries performing loan signing services typically charge $75-150 per appointment due to travel time, specialized expertise, and convenience. Some employers require their notary employees to provide notarizations at no charge to customers.

Other State Notary Bonds

California
$15,000
4 years
Texas
$10,000
4 years
Florida
$7,500
4 years
Ohio
$15,000
5 years
Illinois
$5,000
4 years
Washington
$10,000
4 years
Nevada
$10,000
4 years
Arizona
$5,000
4 years
View All State Notary Bonds

Official Pennsylvania Notary Resources

Pennsylvania Department of State

Official notary requirements, applications, and bond filing procedures.

U.S. Treasury Surety Bond Program

Official list of Treasury-certified surety companies.

Official Pennsylvania Requirements

"Pennsylvania law requires notary publics to obtain a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 to protect the public from financial loss due to notarial misconduct."
Pennsylvania Department of State • 57 Pa. Code §165.7
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