What is Required to Become a Pennsylvania State Notary Public
Anyone who has ever performed the duties of a notary will understand that the job is important and requires a lot of attention to detail. In some places, there are many steps to becoming a notary and performing the sworn duties of the post. Some states are extremely simplified in their approach to notarizing, but some are much more expansive and ask their notaries to take on different duties and follow very specific protocols. Pennsylvania can be said to be among them, and from the qualifications to the official Pennsylvania notary supplies, a notary has to be at the top of their game.
When you decide you would like to serve as a notary in this state, it begins with determining if you have the most fundamental of all Pennsylvania notary supplies - and that is that you meet the state's list of qualifications. If you do, it is time to head to their Department of State website to get your official application.
Of course, this step reveals the next level of Pennsylvania notary supplies or requirements, and these include the purchase of a notary or surety bond in the amount of $10k, as well as registering and taking a mandatory education course. This is a three-hour course available only from state-approved providers. As part of your essential Pennsylvania notary supplies, the training must be done within six months of your application.
With the surety bond and the completion of the training, which includes a final exam, you can then submit the application. When this is done, you will be granted a commission by the secretary of the commonwealth. This provides you with a commission number and expiration date. This information is then used to acquire the next of your major Pennsylvania notary supplies.
What Kind of Supplies Will I Need as a Pennsylvania Notary
It will come as no surprise that key among your Pennsylvania notary supplies will be the notary seal and a formal notary ledger or journal. The state requires you to use a seal, and to also keep a physical or electronic journal of all notarial acts.
Let's consider the seal first. As one of the most commonly used Pennsylvania notary supplies, you’ll need it to be of the utmost quality and contain the information required by the state.
The seal must be laid out according to state standards too, and these are:
- It must be an ink stamp
- You can also use an embosser, but it is not valid if used alone. It must be used along with the ink stamp
- The seal must always feature the phrase "Notarial Seal"
- Your name as commissioned must appear along with your title written as "Notary Public"
- The name of the municipality and the county in which you will maintain your office must appear
- The expiration date of the current commission must also appear on the seal
- It can be no larger than 1" x 3.5", and needs a plain border
In many areas, the seal alone is the most important of the supplies; however, Pennsylvania notary supplies must always include the official journal. State law dictates that you can only keep one official record book at any given time, and that it can be electronic or written. As one of the more important Pennsylvania notary supplies, it may be a good idea to invest in a written journal to ensure that all notarial acts are documented. It is altogether too easy to make mistakes with electronic record keeping, but using a written journal among your Pennsylvania notary supplies tends to prevent such blunders.
Consider how many acts your Pennsylvania notary supplies must cover:
- Taking affidavits and verifications
- Taking depositions
- Certifying copies
- Taking acknowledgements and proofs
- Executing protests
- Administering oaths
This describes a tremendous range of duties and actions, and your Pennsylvania notary supplies must be up to the task. Investing in a high quality seal and a well-designed journal as the basis of your Pennsylvania notary supplies ensures you do the best job possible. Pennsylvania notaries do have to maintain a higher number of records, and it behooves you to invest in the finest supplies to help you do your sworn duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Pennsylvania notary supplies are legally required?
Pennsylvania notaries are required to use an official notary seal and maintain a notary journal, either in a physical or electronic format. Depending on your commissioning process, you will also need a $10,000 surety bond and completion of the state-required training.
What are the PA notary stamp requirements for a valid seal?
Your Pennsylvania notary stamp must include the phrase “Notarial Seal,” your commissioned name, the title “Notary Public,” the municipality and county where you maintain your office, and your commission expiration date. It must be an ink stamp, and if you use an embosser, it must be used with the ink stamp—not alone.
Do Pennsylvania notaries need a journal?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires notaries to keep a journal of notarial acts. The record can be maintained as a physical or electronic journal, but you may only keep one official record book at a time.
What should I look for when buying Pennsylvania notary supplies?
Look for a compliant notary seal that matches Pennsylvania’s formatting rules, a high-quality journal for accurate recordkeeping, and any other items needed for your commission, such as bond paperwork. Choosing state-compliant supplies helps prevent rejected notarizations and costly mistakes.
How do I know if my Pennsylvania notary seal is compliant?
A compliant Pennsylvania notary seal must be within the state’s size limits, include all required wording and commission details, and have a plain border. If any required information is missing or outdated, the seal may not be valid for official use.
Where can I buy reliable Pennsylvania notary supplies?
You can buy Pennsylvania notary supplies from trusted notary supply retailers that specialize in state-specific products. Make sure the seller offers compliant seals and journals designed for Pennsylvania requirements so you can avoid errors and stay compliant throughout your commission.
