Pennsylvania Notary Fees (2026): What a Notary Can Charge and What It Costs to Become One
Pennsylvania's Department of State sets notary fees by regulation: $5 for most acts and $2 for each additional name on an acknowledgment. Becoming a notary costs the $42 filing fee, the $65 Pearson VUE exam, a $25,000 bond premium and an approved course.
Start free Pennsylvania practice test (20 questions) Free 30-question timed practice exam
Every point below quotes the official source word for word; the build checks each quote against a saved copy of the source and stops if one is missing. Laws change, so confirm with the official source.
Maximum fees a Pennsylvania notary can charge
| Acknowledgment, first name | $5 |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment, each additional name | $2 |
| Oath or affirmation | $5 per person |
| Verification on oath or affirmation | $5 per person |
| Witnessing or attesting a signature | $5 per signature |
| Certified copy or deposition | $5 per certified copy |
| Protest of a negotiable instrument | $3 per page |
| Electronic or remote notarization | Up to $20 extra per act |
Acknowledgment, first name
$5.
“Taking acknowledgement (per name of first individual making acknowledgment in certificate) $5”
Acknowledgment, each additional name
$2.
“Taking acknowledgement (per each additional name in same certificate) $2”
Oath or affirmation
$5 per person.
“Administering oath or affirmation (per individual taking oath or affirmation) $5”
Verification on oath or affirmation
$5 per person.
“Taking verification on oath or affirmation (per individual making declaration) $5”
Witnessing or attesting a signature
$5 per signature.
“Witnessing or attesting a signature (per signature) $5”
Certified copy or deposition
$5 per certified copy.
“Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition (per certified copy) $5”
Protest of a negotiable instrument
$3 per page.
“Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument (per page) $3”
Electronic or remote notarization
Up to $20 extra per act.
“In addition to the fees authorized above, electronic notaries public and remote notaries public may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed $20 per notarial act performed with respect to electronic records or using communication technology.”
What it costs to become a notary in Pennsylvania
| Application filing fee | $42 |
|---|---|
| Pearson VUE exam | $65 per test |
| Surety bond | $25,000 bond (the surety charges a fee) |
| Three-hour education course | Set by the provider, not by the state |
Application filing fee
$42.
“$42 filing fee”
Pearson VUE exam
$65 per test.
“The cost of the examination is $65 per test.”
Surety bond
$25,000 bond (the surety charges a fee).
“Within 45 days after the date of his/her appointment, a notary public is required to execute a $25,000 bond.”
Source: PA Department of State: Bonding Requirement
“A corporate surety charges a fee for the bond”
Three-hour education course
Set by the provider, not by the state.
“all notaries public are required to complete a three-hour preapproved notary public education course within six months immediately preceding application.”
Source: PA Department of State: Mandatory Education Requirement
Fee rules to know
| Waiving the fee | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Itemized receipt | Required if you charge |
| Clerical, travel and copying fees | Allowed if customary and reasonable |
| Absentee ballot affidavits | No fee |
Waiving the fee
Allowed.
“A notary public may waive the right to charge a fee.”
Itemized receipt
Required if you charge.
“If a notary charges fees, the notary must provide an itemized receipt for all fees charged by the notary public.”
Clerical, travel and copying fees
Allowed if customary and reasonable.
“Notaries public may charge a clerical or administrative fee for services they have provided related to the notarial act, such as copying documents, postage, travel and telephone calls.”
Source: PA Department of State: Notary Public Fees
“Such clerical or administrative fees must be customary and reasonable for the geographic area and for the service rendered.”
Absentee ballot affidavits
No fee.
“A notary public may not charge any fee for notarizing the supporting affidavit required in an Emergency Absentee Ballot or the affidavit of a person needing assistance to vote using an absentee ballot”
Frequently asked questions
How much can a notary charge in Pennsylvania?
Acknowledgment, first name: $5; Acknowledgment, each additional name: $2; Oath or affirmation: $5 per person; Verification on oath or affirmation: $5 per person; Witnessing or attesting a signature: $5 per signature; Certified copy or deposition: $5 per certified copy; Protest of a negotiable instrument: $3 per page; Electronic or remote notarization: Up to $20 extra per act. Each point is quoted from the official source on this page.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Pennsylvania?
Application filing fee: $42; Pearson VUE exam: $65 per test; Surety bond: $25,000 bond (the surety charges a fee); Three-hour education course: Set by the provider, not by the state. Each point is quoted from the official source on this page.
Related: Pennsylvania exam guide · How to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania Notary Renewal · Pennsylvania Notary Application · Pennsylvania Notary Stamp and Seal Requirements · Pennsylvania exam facts: passing score, cost, retakes · After you’re commissioned in Pennsylvania
Studying for the Pennsylvania exam? Try a practice question (question 1 of 20, no signup)
Independent study aid. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any state agency, exam vendor or course provider. All questions are original practice questions written from official public sources; they are not actual exam questions. Laws and fees change, so confirm details with the official source before you rely on them. Official sources: PA DOS: Notaries, PA DOS: Examination requirement, PA DOS: Bonding requirement.
Last verified: .