Page Summary
- In Tennessee, you get the notary application from your county clerk and must be elected by the county commission where you live or have your principal place of business.
- The Secretary of State lists filing fees of $5.00 to the state and $7.00 to the county clerk. You also need a $10,000 surety bond filed with the clerk.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and an out-of-state resident whose principal place of business is in a Tennessee county may qualify there.
- A Tennessee commission lasts four years from the date the Governor issues it. Online notary authority requires a separate course and exam.
- Need a notary now? Priority Mobile Notary comes to you in the Chattanooga area. Call (423) 401-8316.
Applying for a notary public commission works differently from state to state. In Tennessee, notaries are not appointed directly by a state office. They apply through their county clerk and are elected by their county commission. This guide covers the Tennessee process using the Secretary of State’s published steps, then explains what comes after you are commissioned.
Tennessee Notary Application: Verified Step-by-Step
The Tennessee Secretary of State describes a county-based process. That is different from many other states, where you apply directly to the state:
- Get the application from your county clerk. In Hamilton County, that is the Hamilton County Clerk’s office.
- Submit it with the filing fees. The Secretary of State lists $5.00 for the state and $7.00 for the county clerk.
- Be elected by the county commission (the county legislative body) in the county where you live or have your principal place of business.
- Buy a $10,000 surety bond from a surety company authorized in Tennessee, and give it to the county clerk to review and file.
- Take the oath and get your seal. Your commission runs for four years from the date the Governor issues it.
Who Is Eligible?
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
- At the time of election, you must live in the county or have your principal place of business there. A person who lives out of state but works in a Tennessee county may qualify in that county.
- You must certify, under penalty of perjury, that you have never been removed from office as a notary for misconduct, never had a notary commission revoked or suspended in any state, and never been found by a court to have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.
Rules vary by state. Texas, for instance, handles applications through its Secretary of State and now requires a state education course. Always follow the rules of the state that will commission you.
After You Are Commissioned
Your seal must meet Tennessee’s design and ink rules. You can also charge reasonable fees for your services under Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201. If you later want to notarize online, Tennessee has a separate online notary application that requires a course and an exam. For practical skills, it helps to study the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat, since those are the two certificates you will complete most often.
If you just need something notarized while your own application is pending, Priority Mobile Notary can travel to you anywhere in the Chattanooga area, including Hixson, Signal Mountain and Ooltewah.
Costs to Budget For
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Secretary of State filing fee | $5.00 |
| County clerk filing fee | $7.00 |
| $10,000 surety bond | The premium varies by surety company |
| Notary seal (stamp) | Varies by vendor |
| Optional E&O insurance or training | Varies by provider |
Ask your county clerk to confirm the current fees before you apply, because local practice and fee schedules can change.
Common Application Mistakes
- Applying in the wrong county. You must apply in the county where you live or have your principal place of business.
- Bond problems. The bond must come from a surety company authorized in Tennessee, and the county clerk must receive it for review.
- Mismatched names. Use your name consistently on the application, bond and seal order.
- Misunderstanding the role. A notary verifies identity and witnesses signatures. Giving legal advice or choosing documents for people is the unauthorized practice of law. Our article on what a notary can and cannot do explains where that line is.
Becoming a Mobile Notary or Loan Signing Agent in Tennessee
A mobile notary is simply a commissioned notary who travels to signers. According to the Secretary of State, Tennessee has no additional state requirements for notary signing agents or loan signing agents. Lenders and title companies, however, often set their own requirements, such as training, background screening and E&O insurance. To see what the work involves, read our walkthrough of the loan signing process.
Adding Online Notarization Later
After you have a traditional commission, Tennessee lets you apply separately for authority to notarize online. The Secretary of State requires proof that you finished an approved course and passed an exam before it grants that authority, and fees for online notarizations are capped at $25 per notarization. For many new notaries, it makes sense to build experience with in-person signings first, because the same rules on identity, willingness and correct certificates apply online too.
Once your commission is approved, compare your coverage options in our guide to notary public insurance: bond vs. E&O.
Your stamp must also meet state rules; see Tennessee notary seal requirements for the ink, shape and wording.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Tennessee?
The Secretary of State lists the commission filing fees as $5.00 to the Secretary of State and $7.00 to the county clerk. You will also pay for the $10,000 surety bond and your seal. Bond premiums vary by provider, and your county clerk can confirm any local charges.
Can I become a Tennessee notary if I live in another state?
Possibly. Tennessee allows someone whose principal place of business is in a Tennessee county to be elected a notary in that county, even if they live in another state.
Is there a required exam or course for a traditional Tennessee notary?
The Secretary of State’s application steps for traditional notaries do not list a state exam. Online notaries are different: they must complete a course and pass an exam before applying for online authority. Many new notaries still take a private course to learn best practices.
How long does a Tennessee notary commission last?
Four years, starting on the date the Governor issues the commission.
Need a document notarized in the Chattanooga area? Call Karen at (423) 401-8316 or request an appointment online.
Priority Mobile Notary Services
Karen McCormick is a Tennessee Notary Public, bonded and insured through the National Notary Association, serving Hixson, Chattanooga and the surrounding communities. This page is general information, not legal advice. Call (423) 401-8316 or email prioritymobilenotaryservices@gmail.com.
