Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania notary commissions are valid for 4 years
- Notary jurisdiction is statewide (all 67 PA counties)
- Renewal applicants with unexpired commissions are exempt from the exam
- Name or address changes must be reported to the Department of State
- Commission number must appear on the official stamp (per new regulations)
Last updated: January 2026
Commission Details and Renewal
Understanding your commission term, jurisdiction, and renewal requirements is essential for maintaining your status as a Pennsylvania notary.
Commission Term
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years from date of issuance |
| Jurisdiction | Statewide (all 67 PA counties) |
| Authority | Throughout Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
Statewide Jurisdiction
Unlike some states that limit notaries to their home county, Pennsylvania notaries may perform notarial acts:
| Where You Can Notarize | Where You Cannot Notarize |
|---|---|
| Any location in PA | Other states |
| Any PA county | Federal territories (without additional auth) |
| Employer locations statewide | Foreign countries |
Commission Renewal
Renewal Timeline
| When to Apply | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Before commission expires | Exempt from examination |
| After commission expires (even 1 day) | Must take and pass examination |
Renewal Process
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 | Submit renewal application online |
| 2 | Pay $42 application fee |
| 3 | Complete 3-hour education course (if required by regulations) |
| 4 | Obtain new surety bond |
| 5 | File new oath and bond within 45 days |
Critical: Apply for renewal before your commission expires to avoid having to retake the exam.
Changes to Report
You must notify the Department of State of certain changes:
| Change Type | Reporting Requirement |
|---|---|
| Name change | Within 30 days |
| Address change | Within 30 days |
| County change | Within 30 days |
| Email change | Within 30 days |
Commission Number
Under new RULONA regulations effective March 28, 2026:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stamp must include | Commission number |
| Purpose | Identify notary in state system |
| Format | Assigned by Department of State |
Resignation or Revocation
| Event | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Resignation | Notify Department in writing |
| Destroy seal/stamp immediately | |
| Revocation | Destroy seal/stamp immediately |
| Do not perform any notarial acts | |
| Death | Personal representative handles journal disposition |
On the Exam
- Commission term: 4 years
- Jurisdiction: Statewide (all PA counties)
- Renewal before expiration: Exam exempt
- Renewal after expiration: Must take exam
- Report changes: Within 30 days
Test Your Knowledge
What is the term length for a Pennsylvania notary commission?
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Test Your Knowledge
A Pennsylvania notary lives in Philadelphia County but works in Montgomery County. Where can they perform notarizations?
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