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Notary Public
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
10 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
You must be a legal resident of South Carolina (or maintain a place of business there), be at least 18 years old, and be able to read and write English. You cannot have a disqualifying criminal record.
Submit your application to the South Carolina Secretary of State. Application fee: $25 (SOS) + $5 (Clerk of Court enrollment).
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets South Carolina requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $50-$70.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 10 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in South Carolina. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a registered voter in South Carolina. Out-of-state residents cannot be commissioned even if employed in SC.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen (implied by registered voter requirement)
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a notary license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education
Not RequiredNo education course required.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required.
Compare top-rated notary education providers in South Carolina.
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Surety Bond
Not RequiredNo bond required in South Carolina.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary seal/stamp required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $25 (SOS) + $5 (Clerk of Court enrollment) |
Bond Premium No bond required | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost Application + clerk fee + seal | $50-$70 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Confirm you are a registered voter in South Carolina
Submit application with $25 fee to SOS to South Carolina Secretary of State
Receive commission
Enroll commission with Clerk of Court ($5 fee)
Purchase notary seal/stamp
Commission Term
10 years
Renewal Process
Begin renewal 8-12 weeks before expiration. No automatic renewal or SOS notice.
Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
South Carolina authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with SC RON requirements.
What Makes South Carolina Unique
South Carolina has a 10-year commission term and requires voter registration. No bond, exam, or education needed. The application fee is $25 (SOS) + $5 (Clerk of Court enrollment). Neighboring states include Georgia, North Carolina, each with their own notary public requirements.
South Carolina has a 10-year commission term, among the longest.
Must be a registered voter (unique requirement).
No bond, exam, or education required. South Carolina does not impose this requirement on notary publics at the state level.
No automatic renewal notification from SOS.
South Carolina permits Remote Online Notarization (RON), enabling notaries to perform notarizations via audio-video technology for signers located anywhere.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a notary public credential in South Carolina.
Notary requirements in nearby states
| State | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | 4–17 wks | |
| Georgia | 4–17 wks | → |
| North Carolina | 4–17 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in South Carolina
See how South Carolina compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Official Sources
Notary requirements in South Carolina verified against South Carolina Secretary of State, April 2026.
Moving to South Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to South Carolina →
Transfer your Notary license from South Carolina to: Georgia → | North Carolina →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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