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Tennessee Notary Bond$10,000 • No Exam Required

Get your Tennessee notary bond instantly. Required $10,000 coverage for 4 years. No exam or education required. Instant approval with A- rated carriers.

Instant approval • No credit check required
No exam or education required
A- rated carriers • Treasury approved
Statewide authority • All 95 counties
$10K
Bond Amount
4 Yrs
Term Length
5 Min
Avg. Processing
Instant
Approval
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Quick Answer

According to Tenn. Code Ann. §8-16-102, Tennessee requires a $10,000 surety bond from an admitted insurer. Most applicants receive instant approval with no credit check. You must be elected by your county commission and file your bond with the county clerk before your commission is issued by the Governor.

Tennessee Notary Bond Requirements

Complete checklist for becoming a notary in Tennessee

$10,000
Bond Amount Required
4 Years
Commission Term
$50-100
Bond Cost (4 years)
Must be 18 years or older
Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
Must reside in TN or maintain principal place of business
Must be elected by county commission
Must post $10,000 surety bond
Must purchase official seal
No education or exam required

How to Become a Tennessee Notary Public

7 simple steps to your Tennessee notary commission

1

Verify Eligibility

Ensure you meet Tennessee's requirements: be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and reside in Tennessee or maintain your principal place of business there.

2

Obtain Application from County Clerk

Contact your county clerk's office to obtain the notary public application form. Each of Tennessee's 95 counties administers the application process locally.

3

Purchase Your $10,000 Notary Bond

Obtain your required surety bond from a Tennessee-licensed bonding company. We offer instant approval, and you can download your bond certificate immediately after purchase.

4

Submit Application to County Clerk

Complete your application and submit it to the county clerk along with the application fee and your $10,000 surety bond. The clerk will present your application to the county commission.

5

County Commission Election

Wait for the county commission to meet and vote on your application. Once elected by the county commission, your appointment is forwarded to the Governor's office.

6

Receive Commission from Governor

The Tennessee Governor issues your official notary commission certificate. Your 4-year term begins on the date shown on the commission certificate.

7

Purchase Official Seal and Begin Notarizing

Purchase your official Tennessee notary seal (designed and prescribed by the Secretary of State) and recordkeeping supplies. You can now begin performing notarial acts throughout all 95 Tennessee counties.

Serving All 95 Tennessee Counties

We provide notary bonds throughout the Volunteer State

Nashville
Memphis
Knoxville
Chattanooga
Clarksville
Murfreesboro
Franklin
Jackson
Johnson City
Bartlett

Serving notaries in Music City, Memphis, and throughout Tennessee. Browse our full surety bonds catalog for all bond types.

Tennessee Notary Bond FAQs

Common questions about Tennessee notary bonds

Is a notary bond required in Tennessee?▼
Yes. According to Tennessee law (Tenn. Code Ann. §8-16-102), all notaries public must file a $10,000 surety bond for the 4-year commission term. This is a mandatory legal requirement that must be met before your commission can be issued by the Governor. The bond protects the public from financial harm caused by notarial errors or misconduct.
How much does a Tennessee notary bond cost?▼
According to Tenn. Code Ann. §8-16-102, Tennessee 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 Tennessee notaries?▼
No, Tennessee does not require a written examination for notary applicants. Tennessee also does not require mandatory education, making it one of the more accessible states for becoming a notary public.
How do I become a Tennessee notary?▼
To become a Tennessee notary, you must obtain an application from your County Clerk, submit it with the fee, be elected by your county legislative body (county commission), secure a $10,000 surety bond, and wait for your commission to be issued by the Governor.
How long is a Tennessee notary commission valid?▼
Tennessee notary commissions are valid for 4 years, beginning on the date the commission is issued by the Governor. You must renew your commission before expiration to continue serving as a notary.
What is the county commission election process?▼
Tennessee has a unique requirement where the county legislative body (county commission) must elect you to serve as a notary. After submitting your application to the County Clerk, the commission will review and vote on your application during their regular meeting.
Can I notarize documents anywhere in Tennessee?▼
Yes, once commissioned, Tennessee notaries have statewide authority and may perform notarial acts in all 95 counties. You are not limited to the county where you were elected.
Do I need a separate bond for online notarization?▼
No, Tennessee allows notaries to perform remote online notarizations (RON) without a separate bond. The same $10,000 bond covers both traditional and online notarizations, though you must register separately with the Secretary of State to perform RON.
What happens if my Tennessee notary bond expires?▼
If your bond expires, you cannot legally perform notarizations. Since your commission term is tied to your bond, it's critical to renew your bond before expiration to maintain continuous notarial authority.
How much can Tennessee notaries charge?▼
Tennessee law allows notaries to charge up to $5 per notarial act. Mobile notaries often charge additional travel fees ($50-100+) for appointments outside their regular business location. Many notaries working for banks or law firms provide free notarizations as part of their employment.
What is the difference between a bond and E&O insurance in Tennessee?▼
The $10,000 bond protects the public—if a claim is paid, you must reimburse the surety company. E&O (errors and omissions) insurance protects you personally—the insurance company pays claims without requiring reimbursement. While E&O insurance is optional in Tennessee, many professional notaries carry both for comprehensive protection.

Notary Bonds for Other States

Explore notary bond requirements nationwide

California

$15,000 • 4 years

View Details →

Florida

$7,500 • 4 years

View Details →

Texas

$10,000 • 4 years

View Details →

Kentucky

$1,000 • 4 years

View Details →
← Back to All Notary Bond States

Official Tennessee Notary Resources

Authoritative government information

U.S. Department of Treasury - Surety Bond Program →

Official list of Treasury-certified surety companies authorized to write federal bonds

Tennessee Secretary of State - Notary Public Information →

Official Tennessee notary public requirements, applications, and bond filing procedures

Official Tennessee Requirements

"Tennessee law requires notary publics to obtain a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 to protect the public from financial harm."
Tennessee Secretary of State • Tenn. Code Ann. §8-16-102
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Ready to Get Your Tennessee Notary Bond?

Instant approval • $10,000 bond • No exam required • Download in minutes

1
2

Get Your Tennessee Notary Bond

Instant approval • Download in minutes

Bond amount will auto-populate for your state

$

Automatically filled based on state requirement

✓ No credit check • 99.7% approval rate • Instant download

Your information is secure and will only be shared with serving, pre-screened agents. By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and consent to receive calls, emails, and text messages from us and our serving partner agents regarding surety bond services. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time.