For Notaries · Delaware
How to Become a Notary in Delaware
To become a notary in Delaware, you must be at least 18, read and write English, be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and either live or work in Delaware. There is no surety bond, exam, or training. File online with the Secretary of State, pay the $60 state fee, and serve a 2-year term.
Last updated: July 16, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Delaware runs one of the simplest notary processes in the country. Notaries are commissioned by the Governor and administered by the Delaware Secretary of State's Notary Public Section, with applications, payments, and renewals handled entirely through an online notary profile. There is no surety bond, no exam, and no mandatory training, so you simply confirm you meet the eligibility rules, submit your application, and pay the $60 state fee for a 2-year commission. After approval, you print your commission, take your oath of office before another notary, and buy a seal. Delaware notaries can also add remote online notarization to their commission, letting them serve signers anywhere while physically located in Delaware.
Delaware Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | Must be at least 18 years old, able to read and write English, of good character and reputation, and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. You must have a legal Delaware residence with a street address OR maintain an office/place of employment in Delaware (a P.O. box, virtual office, or registered agent does not qualify). Applicants with a felony whose rights have not been restored, or convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, are ineligible; any prior conviction requires a certified background check. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | No surety bond required. Delaware's official notary FAQ answers "Are Delaware notaries required to be bonded? No." |
| State filing fee | $60.00 non-refundable state application fee for a new Traditional Notary (2-year term only). Renewals: $60 for a 2-year term or $90 for a 4-year term. Limited Governmental and Service Organization notary commissions have no fee. |
| Commission term | 2 years for a new commission; renewals are available for either a 2-year or 4-year term |
| Notary education | Not required. Delaware's FAQ states training is currently not required to become a notary. |
| Exam | Not required. Delaware does not impose a notary exam for a traditional commission. |
A new Delaware Traditional Notary commission carries a $60 non-refundable state application fee for a 2-year term, and no surety bond is required. — Delaware Notary Public - Fee Information (Department of State)
How to Become a Notary in Delaware: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Verify you are 18+, can read and write English, are a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and either live in Delaware with a street address or maintain a Delaware office/place of employment. No bond, exam, or training is required.
- 2
Create your notary profile and apply online
Set up a notary profile at notaryforms.delaware.gov, complete the Traditional Notary application, and answer every required question truthfully. All correspondence, including your commission certificate, is sent by email.
- 3
Pay the $60 state fee
Submit the non-refundable $60 application fee by e-check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express) during the online application.
- 4
Take your oath of office
Once approved, print the commission certificate emailed to you, sign and take the Oath of Office before a Delaware notary public, and return a copy to the Notary Public Section per the emailed instructions.
- 5
Get your seal and journal, then start notarizing
Order a Delaware notary stamp/seal and set up your required journal (paper or electronic). You can now notarize, and may optionally request remote/electronic privileges through your Notary Profile.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Delaware
Delaware notaries can perform remote online notarization. First hold an active Delaware notary commission, then request remote/electronic privileges through your online Notary Profile and select a state-approved technology provider. There is no separate state registration fee; costs come from the RON platform, an electronic seal/signature, and a required journal. The notary must be physically located in Delaware during the remote act, though the signer may be elsewhere.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state fee; request via your Notary Profile (RON platform and e-seal costs vary by provider)
Effective August 1, 2023
See how RON is authorized in Delaware — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Delaware remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Delaware instead? Notarize online with a Delaware commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Delaware
Delaware allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Delaware commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Delaware? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Delaware?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee (new, 2-year term) | $60.00 |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Education / exam | Not required |
| Notary seal / stamp | Varies by supplier |
| Notary journal (required) | Varies by supplier |
| Remote online notarization (optional) | No state fee; platform/e-seal costs vary |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
What a Delaware Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Delaware caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $5 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $25 |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Delaware compares with every other state in the full 50-state breakdown of what a notary costs.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Delaware
Commission term in Delaware
2 years for a new commission; renewals are available for either a 2-year or 4-year term
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Delaware Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Delaware notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How long does a Delaware notary commission last?
A new Delaware notary commission is issued for a 2-year term. When you renew, you can choose a 2-year term for $60 or a 4-year term for $90. The expiration date must appear on your notary seal.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Delaware?
The state application fee is $60 for a new 2-year commission. Beyond that, you pay only for your notary seal/stamp and a required journal, both bought from private suppliers. There is no bond, exam, or training cost.
Is a class or exam required to become a Delaware notary?
No. Delaware does not require any pre-commission education or exam for a traditional notary. The official notary FAQ confirms training is currently not required.
Who appoints and administers Delaware notaries?
Delaware notaries are commissioned by the Governor, and the program is administered by the Delaware Secretary of State's Notary Public Section. Applications, payments, and renewals are handled through an online notary profile.
Can Delaware notaries perform remote online notarization?
Yes. Since August 1, 2023, a commissioned Delaware notary can request remote or electronic privileges through their Notary Profile and use a state-approved technology provider. The notary must be physically located in Delaware during the remote notarization.
How much can a notary charge in Delaware?
Delaware's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $5, per act or signature.
How much can a Delaware notary charge for online notarization?
Delaware's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $25, against $5 in person.
When does a Delaware notary commission expire?
The Delaware commission term is: 2 years for a new commission; renewals are available for either a 2-year or 4-year term. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Delaware cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- What a loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby South Atlantic guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Delaware Notary Public - How to Apply for a Notary Commission (Department of State)
- Delaware Notary Public - Fee Information
- Delaware Notary Public - Frequently Asked Questions (bond, training, RON)
- Delaware Notary Public - Important Information (remote/electronic notarization)
This guide summarizes public requirements from Delaware's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.