You submit a notary application to your state’s notary commissioning agency, which in most states is the Secretary of State. A handful of states route applications through the Governor’s office, the Lieutenant Governor, or another authority instead. Once you know which agency handles commissions where you live, your submission options are usually some mix of three: mail, an online portal, or in person at the agency’s office. Where to submit a notary application comes down to confirming the commissioning agency for your state and picking whichever of those channels your state actually offers.
Which Agency Handles Notary Applications in Your State
The first step is identifying your state’s commissioning agency. For the majority of states, it’s the Secretary of State’s office, and the application page lives on that office’s website. Some states assign the function to the Governor’s office or the Lieutenant Governor. A few use a different authority entirely. The agency’s website is where you’ll find the official application form, the current fee, the correct mailing address, and whichever submission channels are available.
Do not rely on a mailing address from an older form or a third-party site. Addresses and submission rules change, and the commissioning agency’s page is the authoritative source.
The Three Submission Channels
Nearly every state offers at least one of the three paths below, and many offer all three. The choice is partly about speed and partly about how comfortable you are catching your own mistakes.
By Mail
The traditional route is mailing your complete application package to the state’s notary division. The correct mailing address appears on the application form itself and on the commissioning agency’s website. Send everything by certified mail or with delivery tracking so you have proof it arrived.
Missing pages are the most common problem with mailed applications. Before you seal the envelope, confirm that the signed application form, your surety bond, your education certificate if your state requires one, and your fee payment are all inside. One missing item restarts the clock while the agency writes to tell you what’s wrong.
Through an Online Portal
Most states now offer an online submission portal. You create an account, fill out the application digitally, upload scanned copies of your supporting documents, and pay by credit card. Where it exists, this is usually the fastest channel.
Online submission has a practical advantage beyond speed. You get immediate confirmation that the application was received, and some portals flag missing items before they’ll let you finish submitting. That alone eliminates the single biggest cause of delay.
In Person
Some state offices accept walk-in applications. The appeal is simple: a staff member can look through your package on the spot and tell you whether anything is missing before you leave. Not every state allows in-person submission, and some that do require an appointment. Check the commissioning agency’s website for office hours and whether you need to book ahead.
What Has to Be in the Package Before You Submit
Submitting to the right place is only useful if the package is complete. The pieces vary by state, but the core list is consistent.
The signed application form itself is first. It will ask for your personal information, residency details, and background questions about criminal history. Most states require you to be at least 18, a legal resident of the state, and able to read and write in English. Some states extend eligibility to nonresidents who work within the state. Felony convictions and crimes involving dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude disqualify applicants in most states, so if you have any criminal record, verify your state’s rules before paying for anything else.
Most states require a surety bond, which protects the public rather than you. Required bond amounts range from $500 to $25,000 depending on the state, with premiums typically running between $25 and $100 for a standard four-year term. You usually have to purchase the bond before you submit the application, because proof of the bond goes in the envelope.
Many states also require you to complete an approved notary education course before applying. Courses run from three hours to six or more, cost roughly $25 to $200, and produce a certificate of completion you include with your application.
Depending on your state, you may also need a copy of your government-issued ID and the results of fingerprinting or a criminal background check. California and Ohio, for example, require fingerprinting as part of the application. Application fees themselves typically run from $20 to $100 and can be paid by check, money order, or online card payment, depending on how you’re submitting.
What Happens After You Submit
Processing generally takes two to six weeks from the date the complete application is received. States with mandatory background checks tend to run longer. If something is missing or needs correction, most agencies will contact you rather than reject the application outright.
Approval does not mean you can start notarizing. When your commission certificate arrives, most states require you to take an oath of office before a qualified official, typically another notary, a judge, or a court clerk. Some states fold the oath into the application process; others treat it as a separate step after approval.
After the oath, many states require you to file or record your commission with your local county clerk or recorder of deeds, usually within a set number of days after appointment. Only once those post-approval steps are done can you legally order your seal and begin performing notarial acts.
A Note on Remote Online Notarization
If you plan to perform notarizations over live audio-video rather than in person, that’s a separate track. As of 2025, 47 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws permitting remote online notarization.1NASS.org. Remote Electronic Notarization In most states, you need an active traditional notary commission first and then apply for a separate RON endorsement or registration with the same commissioning agency. The RON application has its own technology requirements, identity verification procedures, and sometimes a supplemental bond, so getting your base commission approved and received is step one even if remote work is your eventual goal.