Maryland notary commission
Maryland notary commission: approved by your state senator, sworn at the circuit court
Order the $30 Notary Handbook, complete an approved course and pass its exam, then apply online for $25. Your state senator (or the Secretary of State, if delegated) approves the appointment, usually within 2 to 14 days, and you take the oath before the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 30 days, paying $11. Commissions last four years.
Who Maryland commissions
- At least 18.
- A US citizen or permanent legal resident, able to read and write English.
- A Maryland resident, or with a place of employment or practice in Maryland. Out-of-state applicants must live in a state that lets Maryland residents working there serve as notaries.
- New applicants complete an approved course of study and pass the exam; renewing notaries complete the course again.
- You disclose all criminal convictions and civil judgments on the application. The Secretary of State says inaccurate criminal record reporting results in denial.
Source: New Applicant Information; Notary FAQ; State Government §18-102.
Handbook to oath: the Maryland sequence
- Handbook, course and exam. Order and review the $30 Notary Handbook. Then complete a course and pass the exam with a provider on the Secretary of State's approved list, and keep both certificates.
- Find your state senator. Look up your legislative district and senator with the General Assembly's lookup. Your senator, or the Secretary of State if delegated, approves the appointment.
- Apply online. Submit the online application with your two certificates and pay $25. A background check and reference review follow; a decision usually takes 2 to 14 days.
- Take the oath within 30 days. Once approved, appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county and pay $11. Miss the 30 days and the commission is revoked; you reapply and pay again.
Source: New Applicant Information.
Maryland's fixed charges
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Notary Handbook | $30 Paid to the state. |
| Online application | $25 Paid to the Secretary of State. |
| Oath at the Clerk of the Circuit Court | $11 $10 commission fee plus $1 registration fee. |
| Name change during the term | $6 + $11 $6 to the Secretary of State, $11 at the clerk; same expiration date. |
| Remote notary notification | No fee listed The Secretary of State's pages list none. |
The handbook, application and oath come to $66. Your stamp and bound journal are bought from vendors.
Source: New Applicant Information; Notary FAQ.
MD starter kit · $29
Maryland Notary Starter Kit
Maryland's handbook, course, senator approval and 30-day oath steps, the $8 per-signature caps, ID and 10-year journal rules, stamp rules, remote notary notification, the required not-an-attorney statement, a checklist, a budget and journal pages.
Four years, with a renewal window on both sides
A Maryland commission lasts four years. You can renew from 60 days before to 30 days after expiration; after that, you apply as a new notary. Renewing notaries complete the course again.
You may notarize only while physically in Maryland.
Source: Notary FAQ; New Applicant Information.
Remote notarization in Maryland
Remote notarization has been legal in Maryland since October 1, 2020 (§18-214). Before your first remote act, file the remote notary notification form online, choosing electronic records through an authorized RON vendor, other communication technology, or both. Without a vendor, tangible-record remote notarizations are allowed only when you know the signer or use a credible witness.
You must be physically in Maryland. Record each remote act and keep the recording at least 10 years, tell the Secretary of State within 10 business days if you switch vendors, and file a new notification at renewal. The fee is up to $30 per remote act.
Source: Remote Notary Information; State Government §18-214; Notary FAQ.
Per-signature fees and a 10-year journal
Since January 22, 2024, a Maryland notarial act is up to $8 per signature, $4 for each signature on additional copies signed at the same time, and $30 for a remote act. Travel, when required, is the IRS business mileage rate plus a travel fee of up to $5.
A journal is required for every act, made at the time of the act: a permanent bound register with numbered pages, or a tamper-evident electronic journal. When you identify a signer by ID, record the credential's ID number. Keep each journal 10 years after its last act.
Source: Notary FAQ; State Government §18-219.
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Maryland notary questions
Who approves a Maryland notary appointment?
Your state senator, or the Secretary of State when the senator delegates it, after a background check and reference review.
What if I miss Maryland's 30-day oath deadline?
The commission is revoked. You submit a new application and pay the fee again.
Can I renew a Maryland commission after it expires?
Up to 30 days after expiration. After that, you apply as a new notary.
Can I use my Maryland commission in DC or Virginia?
No. A Maryland notary may notarize only while physically in Maryland.
How much can a Maryland notary charge?
Up to $8 per signature, $4 per signature on additional copies signed at the same time, and $30 for a remote act.
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General information from official Maryland sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of Maryland.