map Professional license portability

Notary Public license reciprocity by state

Notary Public reciprocity varies state-by-state — 23 of the 50 states and DC offer paperwork-based pathways, while 17 require either a re-exam or a fresh application from scratch. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.

check_circle 11 states recognize assignment_turned_in 12 via endorsement block 17 not recognized

Reciprocity tier legend

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Recognized

Existing license or national cert accepted directly.

assignment_turned_in

Endorsement

Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.

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Exam required

Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.

block

Not recognized

No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.

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No license required

State does not license this profession.

help_outline

Unclear

State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.

All 50 states + DC

Each row links to the full notary public profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.

State	Reciprocity tier	Summary	Detail
Alabama	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity information is specified for notaries in Alabama. Reciprocal states: None specified Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Alaska	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity information is available for notaries in Alaska. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Arizona	block Not recognized	Arizona does not offer reciprocity; notary commissions are not transferable between states. Reciprocal states: Arizona does not offer reciprocity. Notary commissions are not transferable between states. However, an Arizona remote notary, if physically located in Arizona, may notarize documents for a person located anywhere in the world. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Arkansas	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Bordering state residents or military spouses employed in Arkansas are eligible for a commission. Reciprocal states: Residents of bordering states who are employed in Arkansas, or nonresident spouses of U.S. military members employed or operating a business in Arkansas, are eligible. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
California	block Not recognized	California does not offer reciprocity; notaries can only perform acts within California borders. Reciprocal states: California does not offer reciprocity with other states. A California notary public can only perform notarizations within the borders of California. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Colorado	block Not recognized	Colorado does not have reciprocity for commissions, but recognizes notarial acts performed elsewhere. Reciprocal states: Colorado does not have reciprocity with other states; however, it recognizes notarial acts performed outside of Colorado by authorized officials as long as they adhere to Colorado's laws. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Connecticut	block Not recognized	Connecticut recognizes notarial acts performed in other states as valid if properly executed. Reciprocal states: Connecticut recognizes notarial acts performed in other states with the same effect as if performed by a Connecticut notary, provided the act was performed by a notary public of that state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Delaware	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity information is available for notaries in Delaware. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
District of Columbia	block Not recognized	Notary commissions are not transferable and can only be used within the District of Columbia. Reciprocal states: Not specified. Notary commissions are generally not transferable between states. DC commissions can only be used within the District of Columbia. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Florida	block Not recognized	Florida does not have reciprocity; applicants must be legal residents of Florida. Reciprocal states: Florida does not have reciprocity with other states; applicants must be legal residents of Florida. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Georgia	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Bordering state residents employed or doing business in Georgia may apply for a commission. Reciprocal states: Residents of states bordering Georgia (Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee) may apply if regularly employed or carrying on a business or profession in the Georgia county of application. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Hawaii	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity information is available for notaries in Hawaii. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Idaho	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Idaho does not have reciprocity, but non-residents employed or doing business there may apply. Reciprocal states: Idaho does not have reciprocity with other states, but non-residents who are employed or doing business in Idaho may become an Idaho Notary Public. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Illinois	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Bordering state residents working in Illinois may be commissioned if their home state has reciprocal provisions. Reciprocal states: Residents of bordering states (Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, or Wisconsin) may be commissioned if they work or maintain a business in Illinois for at least 30 days and their home state has reciprocal provisions. Non-resident commissions are for a one-year term. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Indiana	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity language published; contact the state licensing board directly. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Iowa	block Not recognized	Iowa does not have reciprocity for commissions, but recognizes notarial acts performed elsewhere. Reciprocal states: Iowa does not have reciprocity with other states; however, notarial acts performed in other states are recognized in Iowa if performed according to federal law or the laws of the jurisdiction where the act was performed. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Kansas	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Bordering state residents employed or doing business in Kansas may be commissioned as a notary. Reciprocal states: Residents of bordering states (Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, or Oklahoma) who regularly carry on a business or profession in Kansas or are regularly employed in Kansas may be commissioned as a Kansas Notary Public. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Kentucky	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Kentucky offers a "Special Commission Notary" for residents or non-residents; acts from other states are recognized. Reciprocal states: Kentucky offers a 'Special Commission Notary' for residents or non-residents appointed by the Governor to perform notarial acts inside or outside the state for documents recorded only in Kentucky. Generally, a notarial act performed in another state has the same effect in Kentucky if performed by a notary public of that state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Louisiana	check_circle Recognized	Reciprocity exists within parish groups; statewide jurisdiction is possible with a specific exam. Reciprocal states: Reciprocity exists within specific groups of Louisiana parishes, allowing a notary commissioned in one parish within a group to notarize in others within that same group without additional bonding or examination. Non-attorney notaries who pass the statewide exam on or after June 13, 2005, can obtain statewide jurisdiction. Otherwise, jurisdiction is parish-wide. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Maine	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Maine recognizes online notarizations; New Hampshire residents working in Maine may be commissioned. Reciprocal states: Maine recognizes online notarizations properly performed by notaries of other states. A resident of New Hampshire who is regularly employed or carries on a trade in Maine may also be commissioned as a Maine Notary Public. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Maryland	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Maryland residents working out-of-state may be commissioned if their home state offers reciprocity. Reciprocal states: Maryland residents working out-of-state may be commissioned if their home state allows Maryland residents to serve as notaries reciprocally. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Massachusetts	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Notary commissions are not transferable, but non-residents working in Massachusetts may apply. Reciprocal states: Notary commissions are generally not transferable between states. Non-residents who work in Massachusetts may apply. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Michigan	block Not recognized	Michigan does not have reciprocity for commissions, but recognizes notarial acts performed elsewhere. Reciprocal states: Michigan does not have reciprocity with other states; a Michigan notary cannot perform notarial acts outside of Michigan, and notaries from other states cannot perform acts within Michigan. However, a notarial act performed in another state by a notary public authorized in that state has the same effect under Michigan law as if performed by a Michigan notary. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Minnesota	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Residents of bordering states may be commissioned if they meet specific filing requirements. Reciprocal states: Residents of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin may be commissioned if they designate a Minnesota county for filing and the MN Secretary of State as their agent for service of process. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Mississippi	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity information is available for notaries in Mississippi. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Missouri	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Missouri does not have reciprocity, but non-residents working in Missouri may apply. Reciprocal states: Missouri does not have reciprocity with other states. Non-residents working in Missouri may apply. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Montana	check_circle Recognized	Montana notaries may perform acts in North Dakota and Wyoming if those states recognize their authority. Reciprocal states: Montana notaries may perform notarial acts in North Dakota and Wyoming if those states recognize Montana's authority. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Nebraska	block Not recognized	Nebraska recognizes online notarizations properly performed by notaries of other states. Reciprocal states: Nebraska recognizes online notarizations properly performed by notaries of other states. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Nevada	check_circle Recognized	Nevada recognizes notarial acts from other states; non-residents employed in Nevada may be commissioned. Reciprocal states: Nevada recognizes notarial acts performed in other states. Non-residents of Nevada residing in bordering states (California, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, or Arizona) may be commissioned if regularly employed in Nevada. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New Hampshire	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	New Hampshire allows commissioning for notaries from specific bordering states meeting employment criteria. Reciprocal states: Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont (for residents of these states who meet specific employment/business criteria in NH and are already commissioned notaries in their home state) Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New Jersey	check_circle Recognized	New Jersey recognizes notarial acts performed by notaries from other states or countries. Reciprocal states: New Jersey recognizes notarial acts performed by notaries in other states or countries if performed according to their laws. New Jersey notaries cannot perform notarizations while physically outside of New Jersey, but can perform remote online notarizations for clients in other states if RON is accepted in that state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New Mexico	help_outline Unclear	Reciprocity is not specified, but prior commission issues in other states are disqualifying. Reciprocal states: Not specified, but prior commission denial/suspension/revocation in another state is disqualifying. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New York	block Not recognized	New York does not have reciprocity with other states for Notary Public commissions. Reciprocal states: New York does not have reciprocity with other states for Notary Public commissions. However, a New York Notary Public may file a certificate of official character in other New York State county clerks' offices. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
North Carolina	block Not recognized	North Carolina does not offer reciprocity for commissioning, but recognizes acts performed in other jurisdictions. Reciprocal states: North Carolina does not offer reciprocity for commissioning. However, notarial acts performed in other jurisdictions are valid in North Carolina if performed in compliance with the laws of that jurisdiction, the laws of North Carolina, or federal law. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
North Dakota	help_outline Unclear	The nature of reciprocity with Montana is not specified. Reciprocal states: Montana Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Ohio	block Not recognized	Ohio does not have reciprocity for notary commissions. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Oklahoma	help_outline Unclear	No reciprocity language published; contact the state licensing board directly. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Oregon	block Not recognized	Oregon does not have reciprocity with other states; notaries must be physically located in Oregon. Reciprocal states: Oregon does not have reciprocity with other states. Notaries must be physically located in Oregon to perform notarial acts. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Pennsylvania	check_circle Recognized	Pennsylvania recognizes online notarizations and other notarial acts properly performed in other jurisdictions. Reciprocal states: Pennsylvania recognizes online notarizations that are properly performed by notaries of other states. Notarial acts validly performed under the laws of other states, territories, U.S. Indian tribes and foreign countries are also recognized. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Rhode Island	check_circle Recognized	Rhode Island recognizes notarial acts performed by notaries public of other states. Reciprocal states: Rhode Island recognizes notarial acts performed in other states if performed by a notary public of that state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
South Carolina	check_circle Recognized	South Carolina recognizes notarial acts performed in other states by their notaries public. Reciprocal states: South Carolina recognizes notarial acts performed in other states if performed by a notary public of that state and in accordance with federal law or the laws of the jurisdiction where the notarial certificate was made. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
South Dakota	block Not recognized	South Dakota does not have reciprocity with other states for notary commissions. Reciprocal states: South Dakota does not have reciprocity with other states for notary commissions. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Tennessee	block Not recognized	Tennessee notary commissions are not transferable, but non-residents with a TN business may be elected. Reciprocal states: Tennessee notaries cannot exercise their duties outside of Tennessee. Notary commissions are generally not transferable between states. However, a person with a principal place of business in a Tennessee county may be elected a notary in that county even if their residence is in another state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Texas	block Not recognized	Texas does not have reciprocity, but adjacent state escrow agents may qualify as Texas Notaries. Reciprocal states: Texas does not have reciprocity with other states. However, an escrow agent residing in a state adjacent to Texas may qualify as a Texas Notary without meeting the residency requirement. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Utah	check_circle Recognized	Utah recognizes notarial acts performed in other states, but Utah notaries must be physically in Utah. Reciprocal states: Utah recognizes notarial acts performed in other states. However, a Utah notary cannot perform notarizations outside of Utah. Remote Online Notaries in Utah can notarize for signers located anywhere, as long as the notary is physically in Utah. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Vermont	check_circle Recognized	Vermont recognizes online notarizations and other notarial acts performed by notaries of other states. Reciprocal states: Vermont recognizes online notarizations that are properly performed by notaries of other states. A notarial act performed in another state has the same effect under Vermont law as if performed by a Vermont notary public, if performed by a notary public of that state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Virginia	block Not recognized	Virginia notary commissions are generally not transferable between states. Reciprocal states: Virginia Notaries may notarize a document inside or outside the Commonwealth if the document will be used in Virginia or by the U.S. government. Notary commissions are generally not transferable between states. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Washington	check_circle Recognized	Washington recognizes notarial acts performed in other states by their notaries public. Reciprocal states: Washington recognizes notarial acts performed in other states if performed by a notary public of that state, with the same effect as if performed by a Washington notary. However, Washington notaries cannot perform duties outside of Washington's geographical boundaries. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
West Virginia	check_circle Recognized	West Virginia recognizes notarial acts performed in other states by their notaries public. Reciprocal states: West Virginia recognizes notarial acts performed in other states by a notary public of that state, provided the act is performed according to the laws of that state. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Wisconsin	help_outline Unclear	Reciprocity is not specified; Wisconsin notaries cannot perform acts outside the state. Reciprocal states: None specified. Wisconsin notaries cannot perform acts outside of Wisconsin. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Wyoming	help_outline Unclear	The nature of reciprocity with Montana is not specified. Reciprocal states: Montana Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward

verified_user How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-07-21

Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.

Other profession reciprocity guides

Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.

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