For Notaries · Maryland
How to Become a Notary in Maryland
To become a notary in Maryland, be at least 18, a Maryland resident or regularly employed in the state, and of good character. No bond is required, but effective October 2021 you must complete an approved course of study and pass an exam. Pay a $25 application fee plus $11 to the Clerk of Circuit Court. Commissions last four years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Maryland. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in Maryland or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Maryland is one of the more accessible states for aspiring notaries because there is no surety bond requirement. The Maryland Secretary of State commissions notaries, and since October 1, 2021 every new applicant must first complete an approved course of study and pass an examination on Maryland notary law, regulations, ethics, and the Handbook for Maryland Notaries Public. You then submit your application with a $25 fee to the Secretary of State, and after approval you take an oath of office before the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county and pay an additional $11 ($10 for the commission plus a $1 registration fee). Commissions run for four years. Maryland also has operative remote online notarization, so once you hold a traditional commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear by live audio-visual technology, a valuable add-on if you want to earn on platforms like USA Notary.
Maryland Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | At least 18 years old; a resident of Maryland or regularly employed within the state; and of good character, integrity, and abilities. Non-residents who work regularly in Maryland qualify. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Not required. Maryland does not require notaries to post a surety bond. Errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance is optional but recommended for your own protection. |
| State filing fee | $25 application fee to the Secretary of State, plus $11 to the Clerk of Circuit Court ($10 commission + $1 registration). |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Required. New applicants must complete an approved course of study before applying; renewing notaries must complete a refresher course. |
| Exam | Required. Effective October 1, 2021, new applicants must pass an examination through a Secretary of State-approved course-and-exam provider, covering Maryland notary law, regulations, ethics, and the Handbook for Maryland Notaries Public. |
Maryland charges a $25 notary application fee, and new applicants also pay the Clerk of the Circuit Court $11 ($10 for the commission plus a $1 registration fee) to take the oath of office. — Maryland Secretary of State — New Notary Application Information
How to Become a Notary in Maryland: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Maryland or regularly employed within the state, and of good character, integrity, and abilities.
- 2
Complete an approved course and pass the exam
Effective October 1, 2021, new applicants must complete a Secretary of State-approved course of study and pass an examination on Maryland notary law before applying. Choose a provider from the state's authorized list.
- 3
Submit your application and $25 fee
File your notary application through the Maryland Secretary of State (via Maryland OneStop) and pay the $25 non-refundable application fee, attaching your course and exam completion certificates.
- 4
Take your oath before the Clerk of Circuit Court
After the Secretary of State approves your application, take your oath of office before the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county and pay $11 ($10 for the commission plus a $1 registration fee).
- 5
Receive your commission and start notarizing
Once you've taken the oath, you receive a four-year commission. Order your notary seal or stamp and a record journal, then you're ready to notarize documents across Maryland.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Maryland
Maryland has operative remote online notarization. A commissioned Maryland notary can register to notarize remotely by submitting the Secretary of State's Remote Notary Notification Form through the online filing system and selecting one or more state-authorized RON technology vendors from the SOS list. There is no separate state fee, and the authorization must be refiled when you renew your commission.
Online / remote notary application fee: No separate state fee
Remote online notarization became permanent in Maryland in October 2020 under Senate Bill 678.
See how RON is authorized in Maryland — 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 Maryland remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Maryland instead? Notarize online with a Maryland commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Maryland
Maryland allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Maryland 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 Maryland? | 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 Maryland?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee (Secretary of State) | $25 |
| Clerk of Circuit Court oath (commission + registration) | $11 ($10 + $1) |
| Course of study and examination | Varies by approved provider |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Seal/stamp, journal & supplies | Varies |
| Remote online notary registration | No separate state fee |
See what USA Notary costs a Maryland notary for platform-side details.
What a Maryland Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Maryland caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $8 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $30 |
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 Maryland compares with every other state in the how Maryland fees compare across all 50 states.
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 Maryland
Commission term in Maryland
4 years
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 Maryland Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Maryland notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for Maryland notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Does Maryland require a notary bond?
No. Maryland does not require a surety bond to become a notary public. Errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance is optional but recommended to protect you against claims arising from honest mistakes.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Maryland?
State costs are a $25 application fee to the Secretary of State plus $11 to the Clerk of the Circuit Court ($10 for the commission and a $1 registration fee), for about $36 in fixed fees. You also pay for the required course and exam and supplies such as a seal and journal.
Do I have to take an exam to become a Maryland notary?
Yes. Effective October 1, 2021, all new applicants must complete an approved course of study and pass an examination through a Secretary of State-approved provider before submitting an application. Renewing notaries must complete a refresher course.
How long is a Maryland notary commission valid?
A Maryland notary public commission is valid for four years. You must renew before it expires, and remote authorization must be refiled at renewal, to keep notarizing.
Can I perform remote online notarizations in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland allows remote online notarization. Once you hold a traditional commission, you register by submitting the Secretary of State's Remote Notary Notification Form through the online filing system and selecting one or more state-authorized RON vendors. There is no separate state fee.
Can non-residents become Maryland notaries?
Yes. You do not have to live in Maryland if you are regularly employed within the state. Non-residents who work in Maryland can qualify and apply through the Secretary of State.
How much can a notary charge in Maryland?
Maryland's maximum fee for a standard in-person notarial act is $8, per act or signature.
How much can a Maryland notary charge for online notarization?
Maryland's listed maximum fee for a remote online notarization is $30, against $8 in person.
When does a Maryland notary commission expire?
The Maryland commission term is: 4 years. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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
- Maryland Secretary of State — Notary Division
- Maryland Secretary of State — New Notary Application Information
- Maryland Secretary of State — Remote Notary Information
- American Society of Notaries — Maryland
This guide summarizes public requirements from Maryland'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.