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Notary Public
Governing Authority
Tennessee Secretary of State (commissioned through County Clerk)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
$10,000
Bond Required
surety bond
You must be a legal resident of Tennessee (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 Tennessee Secretary of State (commissioned through County Clerk). Application fee: $44.70 (new applicant, includes certificate and stamp) or $19 (renewal with existing stamp).
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond. $10,000 surety bond for 4-year term. Bond cost: $30.
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets Tennessee requirements. Typical cost: Included in application fee for new applicants. Total estimated startup cost: $75-$100.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 4 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in Tennessee. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a Tennessee resident or have regular employment within the state.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
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.
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Surety Bond
Required$10,000
$10,000 surety bond for 4-year term.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary seal/stamp required. Commission certificate and new ink stamp provided by SOS for new applicants.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $44.70 (new applicant, includes certificate and stamp) or $19 (renewal with existing stamp) |
Bond Premium Approximate premium for $10,000 bond for 4-year term | $30 |
Stamp / Seal New stamp included with $44.70 fee | Included in application fee for new applicants |
Total Estimated Cost Application fee + bond premium + county recording fees | $75-$100 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Contact county clerk for application
Obtain $10,000 surety bond
Submit application with fee ($44.70 new, $19 renewal)
Take oath of office
Receive commission certificate and stamp
Begin performing notarial acts
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application with new bond.
Renewal Fee
$19 (with current stamp) or $44.70 (with new stamp)
Regulatory Board
Tennessee authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with Tennessee's RON requirements.
What Makes Tennessee Unique
Tennessee's application fee includes the notary stamp for new applicants. Commissioned through county clerk.
Tennessee notaries are commissioned through the county clerk.
New applicant fee of $44.70 includes commission certificate and ink stamp.
No exam or education required.
Notary requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Tennessee
See how Tennessee compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Notary requirements in Tennessee verified against Tennessee Secretary of State (commissioned through County Clerk), April 2026.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Notary license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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