South Carolina notary commission
South Carolina notary public: a registered voter's ten-year commission
South Carolina notaries must be registered the state voters. Sign the paper application before an officer who administers oaths, send it to your county legislative delegation, pay the $25 fee when the Secretary of State emails a link, and enroll with your county's clerk of court within 15 days of being commissioned. No course, exam or bond is required, and the commission lasts ten years.
South Carolina qualifications
- A registered South Carolina voter (S.C. Code 26-1-15). Out-of-state residents cannot become South Carolina notaries, even if they work in the state.
- Able to read and write English.
- An application with no significant misstatement or omission of fact, signed in pen and ink before someone authorized to administer oaths.
- No course, exam or bond is required for a traditional commission. The Secretary encourages yearly workshops.
Source: S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 1; Notary Public Reference Manual (2023).
Application, delegation, clerk of court
- Fill in the paper application. Include your voter registration number. Sign before an officer who administers oaths, with matching dates. You cannot notarize your own application.
- Send it to your legislative delegation. Mail it to your county legislative delegation office, or the SC House of Representatives if your county has none. The delegation checks your voter registration.
- Pay $25. The Secretary of State emails a card payment link after it receives the application. Processing takes 2 to 12 weeks.
- Enroll with the clerk of court. Within 15 days of being commissioned, show your commission to the clerk of court in your county of residence (26-1-50). Bring photo ID and the clerk's fee.
- Order your seal. Your name, "notary public" and "State of South Carolina"; a stamp or embosser.
Source: Notary Public Reference Manual (2023); S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 1.
South Carolina costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Commission fee | $25 To issue or renew (26-1-30). |
| Clerk of court enrollment | Set by county Not stated in the manual; ask your clerk. |
| Bond | None required South Carolina notaries are not bonded. |
| Change of status filing | $10 Address, phone, county or legal name (26-1-130). |
| Electronic notary registration | $50 Optional (26-2-20). |
The state fee is $25 for a ten-year commission. The clerk's enrollment fee varies by county, and your seal comes from a vendor.
Source: S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 1; S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 2; Notaries FAQ, SC Secretary of State.
SC starter kit · $29
South Carolina Notary Starter Kit
South Carolina's voter requirement, delegation and clerk-of-court steps, the ten-year term, the $5 caps, ID rules, seal and signature rules, in-person electronic registration, the required notice, a checklist, a budget and journal pages that follow the manual's sample entry.
Ten years, and no reminder
A South Carolina commission lasts ten years (26-1-10). The Governor appoints, and the Secretary of State issues the commission. Renewal uses the same application and fee; no reminders are sent, so apply 8 to 12 weeks before expiration.
Report a change of address, phone, county or legal name within 45 days, with a $10 fee. You may notarize anywhere in South Carolina, and only there.
Source: S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 1; Notary Public Reference Manual (2023).
Electronic notarization, with the signer in front of you
The state's Electronic Notary Public Act (Title 26, Chapter 2, effective May 18, 2021) covers electronic notarization with the principal appearing in person (26-2-50(A)(1)). Plan every notarization with the signer physically in front of you, in the state.
Commissioned notaries register through the Secretary's Online Notary Portal: watch the educational video, pass the online test, pick an approved vendor and print your electronic notarial certificate. Registration costs $50 and lasts while your commission is valid; the electronic fee cap is $10 per signature. Real estate and mortgage loan closings must be supervised by a licensed attorney.
Source: S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 2; Notary Public Reference Manual (2023).
South Carolina fees, journal and signature
Paper acts are capped at $5: per signature for an acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing, per person for an oath without a signature, and per certificate for a verification of fact (26-1-100). Travel may be charged only if agreed in advance and explained as separate from the notarial fee.
A journal isn't required by law for paper acts, but the Secretary of State strongly encourages one. Sign by hand in ink, never by stamp, and write your commission expiration date below your signature.
Source: S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 1; Notary Public Reference Manual (2023).
Want loan signings, not just walk-in notarizations? The Loan Signing Cheat Sheet explains the documents in a refinance or purchase package, and the Notary Marketing Kit covers getting found by title companies and local clients.
South Carolina notary questions
Can I be a South Carolina notary if I live in North Carolina?
No. You must be a registered the state voter; out-of-state residents can't be commissioned, even if they work in the state.
Does South Carolina require a notary exam or bond?
No course, exam or bond is required for a traditional commission.
How long does a South Carolina commission last?
Ten years (26-1-10).
Will South Carolina remind me to renew?
No reminders are sent. Apply 8 to 12 weeks before your commission expires.
What do I do within 15 days of being commissioned?
Show your commission to the clerk of court in your county of residence and enroll, bringing photo ID and the clerk's fee.
Guides for other states · Becoming a notary in New Jersey
General information from official the state sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the South Carolina Secretary of State before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of the state.