Notary Public
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Notary Public?
Notary Publics are state-commissioned officials who witness and authenticate document signings — loan closings, affidavits, powers of attorney, and real estate transfers. Many notaries work as mobile signing agents, traveling to clients for closings. Requirements vary significantly by state: some require only an application and fee, while others mandate training courses, exams, and surety bonds.
The Landscape
While every state mandates a license for Notary Publics, the path to obtaining one varies dramatically across the country, fundamentally altering the profession's accessibility. A clear regional divide emerges when examining requirements; many Northeastern states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, along with states like South Dakota and Wyoming, stand out for requiring neither a surety bond nor an exam, presenting the lowest barriers to entry.
Conversely, states in the South and West often present more rigorous pathways. Louisiana is a notable outlier with its
Notary Public by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | — | — | Varies by county (typically 2-4 weeks for processing after all documents are filed) |
| Alaska | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Arizona | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks (plus 90 days prior to application for exam) |
| Arkansas | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks (processing) + time for county filing |
| California | Yes | — | — | Approximately 3-4 months (including course, exam, background check, and processing) |
| Colorado | Yes | — | — | 3-5 business days |
| Connecticut | Yes | — | — | 3-5 business days (for application processing), plus 30 days to file certificate and take oath |
| Delaware | Yes | — | — | 1-4 weeks |
| District of Columbia | Yes | — | — | 45-60 days |
| Florida | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Georgia | Yes | — | — | Varies by county |
| Hawaii | Yes | — | — | 6-8 weeks |
| Idaho | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Illinois | Yes | — | — | 5-8 weeks |
| Indiana | Yes | — | — | 1-2 weeks |
| Iowa | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks |
| Kansas | Yes | — | — | 1-3 weeks |
| Kentucky | Yes | — | — | 2-6 weeks |
| Louisiana | Yes | — | — | Varies (application, pre-assessment, exam prep, exam, bond filing) |
| Maine | Yes | — | — | 15-20 business days for application processing, plus up to 45 days for oath and return of certificate |
| Maryland | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks (application processing) + 30 days (oath of office) |
| Massachusetts | Yes | — | — | 2-3 weeks |
| Michigan | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Minnesota | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks (processing can take 4-6 weeks, plus time for county registration) |
| Mississippi | Yes | — | — | Varies (application processing, bond acquisition, and commission issuance) |
| Missouri | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks |
| Montana | Yes | — | — | A few days to 30 days |
| Nebraska | Yes | — | — | 10-14 days for application processing. |
| Nevada | Yes | — | — | 3-4 weeks |
| New Hampshire | Yes | — | — | 2-10 weeks |
| New Jersey | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks |
| New Mexico | Yes | — | — | 2-10 weeks |
| New York | Yes | — | — | 3-5 business days (after application submission) |
| North Carolina | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks (application processing) + course time |
| North Dakota | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks |
| Ohio | Yes | — | — | Varies (application must be submitted within 6 months of background check and 12 months of education/testing) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Oregon | Yes | — | — | 4-6 weeks |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks for application processing, 45 days to complete oath/bond/recording |
| Rhode Island | Yes | — | — | 3-5 business days |
| South Carolina | Yes | — | — | 2-12 weeks |
| South Dakota | Yes | — | — | 7-14 business days |
| Tennessee | Yes | — | — | 8-10 weeks |
| Texas | Yes | — | — | 3-6 weeks (application processing) |
| Utah | Yes | — | — | 1-2 weeks |
| Vermont | Yes | — | — | 3-5 business days |
| Virginia | Yes | — | — | Approximately 3 weeks for application processing, plus up to 60 days to take the oath of office. |
| Washington | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| West Virginia | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Wisconsin | Yes | — | — | 2-4 weeks |
| Wyoming | Yes | — | — | 1-2 weeks |