How Long Does It Take to Become a Notary?
One of the biggest advantages of becoming a notary public is that it is one of the fastest professional credentials to obtain. In many states, you can go from starting your application to receiving your commission in a matter of weeks. But the exact timeline depends heavily on your state's requirements -- some states require education courses, exams, and background checks that add time to the process.
This guide breaks down the notary commissioning timeline into stages and categorizes all 51 states by complexity, so you can estimate how long the process will take in your state.
The Stages of Becoming a Notary
The notary commissioning process can be broken into these stages. Not every state requires all of them:
1. Pre-Licensing Education
22 of 51 states require education. Course lengths range from 2 to 6+ hours. Most can be completed online in a single sitting. Estimated time: 1 day to 1 week (depending on scheduling and course format).
2. Exam
28 of 51 states require an exam. Some exams are integrated into the education course, while others are separately proctored. Estimated time: same day (if integrated) to 2-4 weeks (if a separate exam must be scheduled).
3. Background Check
6 of 51 states require a background check or fingerprinting. This typically involves a Live Scan appointment. Estimated time: 1-4 weeks for scheduling, processing, and results.
4. Obtain Surety Bond
29 of 51 states require a surety bond. Bonds can usually be purchased online and received within 1-3 business days. Estimated time: 1-3 days.
5. Submit Application
Every state requires an application submission. Many states now accept online applications. Estimated time: 1 day to prepare and submit.
6. State Processing & Approval
The state reviews your application. Processing times vary widely by state and are generally not published in a standardized way. Estimated time: 1-8 weeks depending on the state and current volume.
7. File Oath & Purchase Supplies
After approval, most states require you to take an oath of office (sometimes filed with a county clerk) and purchase your notary seal/stamp and journal. Estimated time: 1-5 days.
Timeline Estimates by State Complexity
We categorize states into three tiers based on the number of requirements beyond the basic application:
23
Simple States
Bond only (no education or exam)
Est. 2-6 weeks total
14
Moderate States
Education and/or exam required
Est. 3-8 weeks total
14
Complex States
Education + exam + background check
Est. 4-12 weeks total
Note: These are estimated ranges based on the number of steps required. Actual processing times vary by state and current application volume. We do not have standardized processing time data for all states.
All States by Complexity Tier
| State | Tier | Education | Exam | Background Check | Bond |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Iowa | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Maine | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Massachusetts | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Minnesota | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| New Jersey | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| South Carolina | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| South Dakota | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Virginia | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| West Virginia | Simple | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Connecticut | Simple | -- | Yes | -- | -- |
| District of Columbia | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $2,000 |
| Idaho | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $10,000 |
| Kentucky | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $1,000 |
| Michigan | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $10,000 |
| Mississippi | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $5,000 |
| New Hampshire | Simple | -- | -- | Yes | -- |
| New York | Simple | -- | Yes | -- | -- |
| North Dakota | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $7,500 |
| Oklahoma | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $10,000 |
| Tennessee | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $10,000 |
| Vermont | Simple | -- | Yes | -- | -- |
| Washington | Simple | -- | -- | -- | $10,000 |
| Alabama | Moderate | Yes | -- | -- | $50,000 |
| Alaska | Moderate | -- | -- | Yes | $2,500 |
| Arizona | Moderate | -- | Yes | -- | $5,000 |
| Arkansas | Moderate | -- | Yes | -- | $7,500 |
| Colorado | Moderate | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Florida | Moderate | 3 hrs | -- | -- | $7,500 |
| Georgia | Moderate | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Hawaii | Moderate | -- | Yes | -- | $1,000 |
| Maryland | Moderate | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Nebraska | Moderate | -- | Yes | -- | $15,000 |
| North Carolina | Moderate | 6 hrs | Yes | -- | -- |
| Oregon | Moderate | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Rhode Island | Moderate | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Wyoming | Moderate | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Illinois | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $5,000 |
| Kansas | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $12,000 |
| Louisiana | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $50,000 |
| Missouri | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $10,000 |
| Montana | Complex | 4 hrs | Yes | -- | $25,000 |
| Nevada | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $10,000 |
| New Mexico | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $10,000 |
| Ohio | Complex | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| Pennsylvania | Complex | 3 hrs | Yes | -- | $25,000 |
| Texas | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $10,000 |
| Utah | Complex | -- | Yes | Yes | $5,000 |
| Wisconsin | Complex | Yes | Yes | -- | $500 |
| California | Complex | 6 hrs | Yes | Yes | $15,000 |
| Indiana | Complex | Yes | Yes | Yes | $25,000 |
Tips for Speeding Up the Process
- Complete education online. If your state requires education, choose a self-paced online course. Many can be completed in a single session. Do not wait to register.
- Have your bond ready. Apply for your surety bond as soon as you are eligible. Online bond providers often issue bonds within 24 hours.
- Use online applications. Many states now accept electronic applications, which are processed faster than paper submissions.
- Schedule your background check early. If required, schedule your fingerprinting appointment as soon as possible. Live Scan appointments can fill up, and processing takes time.
- Prepare all documents in advance. Gather your ID, proof of residency, character references (if needed), and payment before starting the application. Missing documents are the most common cause of delays.
- Order supplies before approval. In most states you can order your notary seal and journal before your commission is officially approved, so they arrive around the same time.
Can I Start Notarizing Immediately After Approval?
Not quite. Even after your commission is approved, there are usually a few final steps:
- Take the oath of office. Most states require you to take an oath, often administered by a county clerk or other authorized official. Some states require this to be filed within a specific deadline.
- File your bond and oath. In many states, you must file your surety bond and oath of office with your local county clerk's office.
- Receive your supplies. You need your notary seal or stamp and (in many states) a journal before you can legally perform notarial acts.
Once these steps are complete, you are officially a notary public and can begin notarizing documents.
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above to see exactly which steps you need to complete. Then check out these related guides:
- How to Become a Notary in 2026: State-by-State Guide
- Easiest States to Become a Notary (2026)
- How Much Does It Cost to Become a Notary? (All 50 States)
Sources
All requirement data is sourced from official state Secretary of State offices, Governor's offices, and other state commissioning authorities. Timeline estimates are based on the number of required steps and general industry knowledge, not state-published processing times.
- National Notary Association (nationalnotary.org) -- notary requirements and process guidance.
- Individual state commissioning authority websites (cited on each state page).
Data was last verified in February 2026. Processing times are estimates and may vary based on state workload and individual circumstances.
Notary Public Licensing — Quick Reference by State
Median salary, government licensing fees, and estimated timeline. Click any state for full details.
| State | Median Salary | License Fees | Timeline | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $46,920 | $40 | 4 wk | View → |
| Texas | $37,400 | $21 | 4 wk | View → |
| Florida | $39,350 | $39 | 4 wk | View → |
| New York | $43,060 | $60 | 4 wk | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $41,230 | $42 | 4 wk | View → |
| Illinois | $46,320 | $15 | 4 wk | View → |
| Ohio | $42,620 | $15 | 4 wk | View → |
| Georgia | $37,520 | $40–$55 | 4 wk | View → |
| North Carolina | $43,450 | $50 | 4 wk | View → |
| Michigan | $42,640 | $10 | 4 wk | View → |
Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Fees & timelines: state licensing boards.
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