Notary Public
License requirements, cost and salary by state
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.
Time to certify
Required exam
Exam cost
Education
Renewal
What it's actually like
A day-to-day reality check, grounded in current practitioner sources — not just the salary math.
Hours / week
Shifts: flexible self-scheduled.
Weekends
Where you work: home office, client's home or office, law offices.
Physical demand
LowThe role primarily involves sitting, standing, and light travel by car to client locations.
Stress level
ModerateStress can arise from managing tight deadlines, dealing with clients in stressful situations, and ensuring strict adherence to legal regulations to avoid errors.
A typical shift
- Review the day's schedule of appointments and prepare necessary documents and supplies.
- Travel to client locations such as homes, offices, or hospitals to perform notarial acts.
- Verify the identity of each signer by examining government-issued identification.
- Witness the signing of documents, ensuring signers are willing and aware of what they are signing.
- Administer oaths or affirmations as required for certain documents.
- Complete and maintain a detailed journal of all notarial acts performed.
- Manage administrative tasks such as invoicing, marketing, and scheduling future appointments.
check_circle Best fit if
- —You are highly detail-oriented and meticulous about following rules and procedures.
- —You are a self-starter who is comfortable with marketing yourself and managing your own schedule and finances.
- —You remain calm and professional when dealing with people who may be in stressful or sensitive situations.
- —You enjoy a flexible schedule and the variety of meeting new people in different locations.
cancel Skip if
- —You need a steady, predictable paycheck, as income can be variable and dependent on the number of clients.
- —You are uncomfortable with the responsibility and potential liability of handling important legal and financial documents.
- —You dislike administrative tasks like record-keeping, marketing, and managing your own business finances.
- —You find it difficult to say 'no' or be assertive when clients pressure you to bend rules or perform improper acts.
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. A closely-related path worth comparing is the Paralegal certification. For a side-by-side look at licensing and earnings, see Notary Public vs. Paralegal. You can also compare Notary Public vs. Real Estate Agent on the same dimensions.
Conversely, states in the South and West often present more rigorous pathways. Louisiana is a notable outlier with its
Notary Public by State
Licensing cost, reciprocity, and median pay across all 50 states.
| State | Licensing cost | Reciprocity | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $10 | — | — | — |
| Alaska | $40 | — | — | — |
| Arizona | $90 | None | — | — |
| Arkansas | $20 | Endorsement | — | — |
| California | $80 | None | — | — |
| Colorado | $10 | None | — | — |
| Connecticut | $120 | None | — | — |
| Delaware | $60 | — | — | — |
| District of Columbia | $75 | None | — | — |
| Florida | $39 | None | — | — |
| Georgia | $42 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Hawaii | $30 | — | — | — |
| Idaho | $30 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Illinois | $15 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Indiana | $75 | — | — | — |
| Iowa | $30 | None | — | — |
| Kansas | $25 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Kentucky | $10 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Louisiana | $135 | Recognized | — | — |
| Maine | $50 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Maryland | $25 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Massachusetts | $60 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Michigan | $20 | None | — | — |
| Minnesota | $120 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Mississippi | $25 | — | — | — |
| Missouri | $25 | Endorsement | — | — |
| Montana | $25 | Recognized | — | — |
| Nebraska | $30 | None | — | — |
| Nevada | $80 | Recognized | — | — |
| New Hampshire | $75 | Endorsement | — | — |
| New Jersey | $45 | Recognized | — | — |
| New Mexico | $60 | — | — | — |
| New York | $75 | None | — | — |
| North Carolina | $50 | None | — | — |
| North Dakota | $36 | — | — | — |
| Ohio | $145 | None | — | — |
| Oklahoma | $50 | — | — | — |
| Oregon | $40 | None | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | $107 | Recognized | — | — |
| Rhode Island | $80 | Recognized | — | — |
| South Carolina | $25 | Recognized | — | — |
| South Dakota | $30 | None | — | — |
| Tennessee | $12 | None | — | — |
| Texas | $41 | None | — | — |
| Utah | $95 | Recognized | — | — |
| Vermont | $30 | Recognized | — | — |
| Virginia | $45 | None | — | — |
| Washington | $40 | Recognized | — | — |
| West Virginia | $52 | Recognized | — | — |
| Wisconsin | $20 | — | — | — |
| Wyoming | $60 | — | — | — |
Related Certifications
Compare Notary Public head-to-head
All comparisons →Weighing a Notary Public career against another credential? Pay, training time, and licensing side-by-side.