Maryland Notary
Maryland Notary Public
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A Maryland notary public is a commissioned officer authorized by the Secretary of State to perform notarial acts - acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations, and certified copies where the law allows. The commission serves the public: lenders, title companies, law firms, hospitals, HR departments, and mobile signing agents all rely on notaries to authenticate signatures and administer oaths. Before commissioning, a new applicant must complete a course of study from a provider on the Secretary of State's published list of authorized course and examination providers, then pass that provider's examination. The Notary Division does not itself publish a statewide exam schedule, question count, time limit, or passing score; those details come from your chosen authorized provider, so confirm them before you enroll.
Expect the exam to test the practical core of the job: which notarial acts a Maryland notary may and may not perform, the stamping device and journal requirements, the statutory fee caps, remote online notarization (RON) rules and the list of authorized RON vendors, and the commissioning lifecycle - application, renewal, and name or address changes. Because the Notary Division has been paperless since January 1, 2021, every notary is personally responsible for keeping a current email, street address, and business phone number on file.
Prepare from primary sources: the Notary Public Handbook (purchasable from the Secretary of State for $30), the sample notarial certificate wording published by the Division, the State Government Article statutes, and the Notary Public regulations. The Division's recorded Notary Town Halls are free and map closely onto the tested topics. Verify all figures against the Secretary of State's Notary Division pages before your exam date, since fees and mileage rates change.
What you'll study
About Maryland Notary preparation
How do I sign up for the Maryland notary exam?
You do not register with the state. Maryland requires new applicants to complete a course of study and examination through a provider on the Secretary of State's List of Authorized Course of Study and Examination Providers, effective 10/1/2021. Contact a listed provider directly for scheduling, format, and cost, then submit your notary application to the Notary Division online.
How many questions are on the exam and how long does it take?
The Secretary of State's Notary Division pages do not publish a question count, time limit, or passing score, because the exam is delivered by authorized providers rather than by the state. Ask your chosen provider for these specifics in writing before you pay, and confirm whether a retake is included.
What score do I need to pass, and what if I fail?
The passing score and retake policy are set by your authorized course and examination provider, not published on the Notary Division site. Get both in writing at enrollment. If you fall short, ask whether a second attempt is bundled or requires a new fee, and review the fee, stamp, and journal topics first.
What topics should I study first?
Start with the fee caps and the stamping device and journal rules - they are precise, number-heavy, and easy to test. Then move to allowable notarial acts, remote online notarization and authorized vendors, and finally the application, renewal, and name or address change process. The Division's recorded Town Halls track these areas closely.
What are the current notary fees I can charge?
Effective 1/22/2024, no more than $8 for an original notarial act and no more than $30 for a remote notarial act. For multiple copies of the same record signed at the same time, $8 per signature on the original or first copy and $4 per signature on each additional copy. Mileage is reimbursed at the prevailing IRS business rate plus a travel fee not to exceed $5.
What is the IRS mileage rate used for travel fees?
The Notary Division states the IRS mileage rate for 2025 is 70.00 cents per mile, reimbursed at the prevailing IRS business rate, plus a travel fee not to exceed $5 when travel is required to perform a notarial act. Because the rate is tied to the prevailing IRS figure, confirm the current year's rate before quoting a client.
Do I need to own a stamp and journal before I apply?
Plan to obtain them before you begin notarizing. The exam tests stamping device and journal requirements, so know the rules before you buy. Order equipment only after your commission is issued, and never use a stamp before the commission is effective. Check the Division's handbook and regulations for the exact required elements.
How do I become a remote online notary in Maryland?
Review the Remote Notary Information page, then file the correct Remote Notary Notification form: one for remote acts requiring a RON vendor (electronic records) and a separate one for remote acts that do not require a vendor (tangible records, where you identify the signer by personal knowledge or credible witness). Use a vendor from the Division's List of Authorized RON Vendors.
How do I change my name or address after commissioning?
File the Change of Name and/or Address form with the Notary Division. Since the Division went paperless on January 1, 2021, every notary is responsible for ensuring the Secretary of State has a current email, street address, and business phone number on file at all times. Do not wait until renewal to report a move.
Where can I get the notary handbook, and what does it cost?
The Notary Division sells the notary handbook for $30, payable by credit card online (enter $30 and Notary handbook when prompted) or by check using the Division's order form. Specify which type you want in the description field. It is the closest thing to an official study reference, alongside the statutes and regulations.