NOTARY ACADEMY
Maryland Notary Education & Professional Development
Maryland requires formal education for new and renewing notaries, but understanding the commissioning process is only the beginning of performing notarial acts responsibly.
Whether you're preparing for the required examination, renewing your four-year commission, or developing an independent notary business, Notary Academy provides education, practical learning, and ongoing professional development to help you strengthen your skills and judgment.
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Where Are You in Your Maryland Notary Career?
Preparing to Become a Notary
You're learning Maryland's qualifications, finding an authorized education provider, preparing for the examination, and understanding the application and oath process.
Commissioned, But Still Finding Your Footing
You've received your commission, but now you're navigating identification questions, notarial certificates, mandatory journal entries, unfamiliar documents, and situations requiring professional judgment.
Ready to Build a Stronger Business
You want to become more visible in your community, develop professional relationships, establish reliable client procedures, and build a business that operates consistently and within Maryland's notary laws.
Wherever you are today, your next step should support what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Understanding Maryland Notary Requirements
Maryland notaries public are appointed by the Governor and administer their commissions through the Maryland Secretary of State and the appropriate Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Maryland State Government Article, Title 18, establishes commissioning qualifications, notarial procedures, recordkeeping responsibilities, and standards for traditional and remote notarization.
Maryland also requires initial and renewal applicants to complete authorized notary education.
Becoming a Maryland Notary Public
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character and integrity, and reside in Maryland or maintain a place of employment or practice in the state. Maryland residents apply in connection with the senatorial district where they reside.
An applicant living outside Maryland must have qualifying employment or practice in Maryland and reside in a state that allows Maryland residents working there to become notaries. The statutory reciprocal-eligibility condition must be satisfied.
Initial applicants must complete an approved notary course and pass the required examination before applying.
After completing the education and examination, applicants receive certificates documenting course completion and examination success. Both certificates are required for the online application.
The Secretary of State reviews the application and eligibility information. The application is subject to approval by the appropriate Maryland State Senator or by the Secretary of State when approval authority has been delegated. For qualifying out-of-state applicants, the statutory approval process also involves a Maryland State Senator.
The Governor makes the notary appointment.
After receiving notice of appointment, the applicant must appear before the appropriate Clerk of the Circuit Court within 30 days to take the oath and complete qualification.
Failure to qualify within the required period results in revocation of the appointment, requiring a new application.
Maryland notary commissions last four years.
Maryland Notary Education and Examination
Beginning October 1, 2021, Maryland requires applicants seeking an initial notary commission to complete an authorized course of study and pass an examination. The education covers laws, regulations, procedures, and ethics relating to notarial acts.
The course and examination must be provided by the Secretary of State or an authorized provider meeting Maryland's requirements.
New applicants receive both a course-completion certificate and an examination-passing certificate, which must be submitted with their online applications. Applicants should confirm that their chosen provider appears on the Secretary of State's current authorized-provider list.
Inner Circle membership provides ongoing professional development but does not replace Maryland's state-required commissioning course or examination.
Maryland Notary Renewal
Maryland notary commissions last four years and may be renewed by completing the state's reappointment requirements.
Renewing notaries must complete an authorized course of study and submit the required certificate with their online renewal application.
Unlike initial applicants, renewing applicants are not required by State Government § 18-102 to pass the initial commissioning examination again.
Renewal applicants must also complete the state's application review process and, after approval, appear before the appropriate Clerk of the Circuit Court to take the oath within 30 days of notification.
Notaries should begin the renewal process before their commissions expire and follow the Secretary of State's current application instructions.
A notary whose commission has expired must not perform notarial acts until the required renewal or new-commission process has been completed and authority is effective.
Maryland Notary Journal Requirements
Maryland requires notaries public to maintain a journal documenting the notarial acts they perform.
Journal entries must be made at the time of the notarial act and contain the information required by State Government § 18-219.
Required information includes the date and time, the type of notarial act, a description of the record when applicable, identifying information about the individual, the method of identification, the fee charged, and whether the individual appeared physically or by communication technology.
A tangible journal must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages.
Maryland allows an appropriately compliant electronic journal. A notary may maintain only one journal at a time for tangible-record acts and one or more journals for electronic-record acts.
The journal must generally be retained for ten years after the last recorded notarial act.
Maryland law also provides for transferring a journal to a Secretary of State-approved repository or other authorized storage arrangement instead of personal retention.
Journalkeeping is a legal responsibility for Maryland notaries and should be distinguished from states where journals are merely recommended.
Traditional, Electronic, and Remote Notarization in Maryland
Maryland authorizes traditional notarial acts and provides legal frameworks for electronic records and remote notarization.
Traditional Notarization
Traditional notarization involves the signer personally appearing before the notary, with the notary performing the required identification, notarial act, certificate, and recordkeeping procedures.
Electronic Notarization
Electronic notarization involves a record in electronic form. Electronic documents and signatures do not, by themselves, mean the notarization is remote.
A notary may perform an electronic notarial act with the signer physically present, subject to applicable electronic-record and notarial certificate requirements.
Remote Notarization
Maryland permits authorized notaries physically located in Maryland to perform qualifying notarial acts using communication technology for remotely located individuals.
Before performing their first remote notarial act, notaries must complete the Secretary of State's remote-notary notification process and identify the technology they intend to use.
The Secretary of State distinguishes remote notarization involving electronic records through authorized remote online notarization vendors from qualifying remote notarization involving tangible records using other communication technology.
Remote notarization involves additional safeguards, including authorized identity-verification methods, audiovisual recording, compliant certificates, and record retention.
Depending on the applicable procedure, the notary may identify a remotely located signer through personal knowledge, an authorized credible witness, or qualifying identity verification involving credential presentation, credential analysis, and identity proofing.
Maryland also establishes a procedure for certain remote notarial acts involving tangible records physically held by the remotely located individual.
That procedure includes a declaration signed during the audiovisual recording, transmission of the record and declaration to the notary within three days, and completion of the required notarial certificate after receipt.
Maryland separately addresses remote acknowledgments involving tangible records physically before the notary and the administration of oaths or affirmations using communication technology.
A notary must satisfy the applicable legal and administrative requirements before offering remote services.
Maryland Notary Fees and Travel Charges
Maryland establishes maximum charges for authorized notarial services.
Effective January 22, 2024, the maximum fee for an ordinary original notarial act is $8.
The maximum fee for a remote notarial act is $30.
Maryland also establishes special fees for notarizing additional copies of the same record, making permitted copies, and providing certain journal-related certifications.
When travel is required to perform a notarial act, Maryland permits reimbursement at the prevailing IRS business mileage rate and an additional travel fee of no more than $5, subject to the applicable regulations.
Notaries must distinguish authorized statutory fees from business expenses and may not charge beyond the amounts permitted by Maryland law.
These limits are important when establishing lawful pricing for mobile or remote notary services.
Official Maryland Notary Resources
The Maryland Secretary of State administers the state's notary application, renewal, authorized education, and remote-notary notification processes.
State Government Article, Title 18, and COMAR 01.02.08 establish the controlling legal requirements.
Applicants and commissioned notaries should consult the current official sources when preparing for commissioning, renewal, journalkeeping, electronic notarization, remote services, or professional practice.
(Click the links below)Â
- Maryland Secretary of State: Notary Division
- Becoming a Maryland Notary
- Maryland Notary Renewal
- Authorized Notary Education and Exam Providers
- Maryland Notary Frequently Asked Questions
- Maryland Remote Notary Authorization
- Maryland Authorized RON Vendors
- Maryland Notary Statutes, Title 18
- Maryland Notary Regulations, COMAR 01.02.08
Your Commission Is Only the Beginning
Maryland requires education and examination before an initial commission, but passing the examination is only the beginning of applying that knowledge professionally.
What happens when you're uncertain whether identification is acceptable? When a notarial certificate is missing? When a client asks for a remote notarization involving a paper document?
And when you're building an independent business, how do you become known by the people who need your services while keeping your pricing, procedures, and professional responsibilities compliant with Maryland law?
These are situations where current knowledge, professional judgment, practical experience, and reliable business systems matter.
Continuing your education helps you strengthen your understanding, recognize the limits of your authority, practice unfamiliar situations, and develop the professional skills that support your work.
Your commission authorizes the work. What you learn and implement afterward shapes how you perform it.
Professional Development That Continues Beyond the Classroom
Notary Academy is a national notary education and professional development institution founded by Kimberly Sennett in 2020.
Our educational approach connects notarial knowledge, professional judgment, practical application, and business development.
Education Grounded in the Profession
Learn from experienced notary professionals who understand the responsibilities of the commission and the realities of serving clients.
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Learning That Connects to Practice
Develop your understanding through education, real-world examples, practical resources, and opportunities to apply what you've learned.
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A Path for Continued Business Growth
Whether you're strengthening foundations, establishing business, becoming visible, or refining skills, there is a structured pathway to help identify what deserves your attention next.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
What Happens After You Learn the Information?Â
Knowing the rules is one part of professional development. Knowing how to apply what you've learned, make decisions, communicate with clients, and operate your business takes continued practice.
The Notary Academy Inner Circle brings education, practical resources, live learning, and professional guidance together in one ongoing membership.
It's an environment where you can continue building your skills and business without having to piece together every next step on your own.
Build the Skills and Business That Fit Your Goals
Maryland notaries serve in many professional settings. Some perform notarizations as part of their employment, while others want to build independent mobile notary businesses, develop relationships with local professionals, or expand into authorized remote services.
Your business decisions should reflect Maryland's commissioning rules, notarial fee limits, your professional responsibilities, and the people you want to serve.
Building a sustainable practice involves reliable communication, sound procedures, consistent local visibility, and professional relationships that develop over time.
Inside the Inner Circle, The Implementation Path helps members identify their current stage and focus on the work that matters most.
Strengthen Your Foundations
Develop your understanding of notarial responsibilities, procedures, compliance, and professional judgment.
Become Known in Your Community
Learn how to develop your professional presence, build local relationships, communicate your value, and become easier to find & hire.
Build With IntentionÂ
Develop business systems, evaluate your progress, practice unfamiliar situations, and make informed decisions about the future.Â
How do I become a Notary Public in Maryland?
Does Maryland require education and an examination for renewal?
Does Maryland require notaries to keep a journal?
Can Maryland notaries perform remote notarizations?
What fees can Maryland notaries charge?
Does Inner Circle membership replace Maryland's required commissioning education?
Ready to Build More With Your Maryland Notary Commission?
Maryland requires foundational education before commissioning. Developing the knowledge, judgment, professional relationships, and business practices that support your goals takes continued learning and intentional action.
If you're ready to strengthen your notarial skills, practice unfamiliar situations, become more visible in your community, and build a notary business that fits your goals, explore the professional development available through Notary Academy.
"Because being commissioned is only the beginning."
