How to Become a Notary in Tennessee

To become a notary in Tennessee, you must:

  1. Meet the eligibility requirements listed in the next section.
  2. Obtain and complete an application from the county clerk in the county in which you reside or maintain a principal place of business. Click here to find your county clerk's contact information.
  3. Submit the completed application to your county clerk with the application fee of $12. Your application will be reviewed by the county legislative body (county commission). The secretary of state will mail your notary public commission certificate to the county clerk’s office upon receiving notification from them.
  4. Obtain a four-year, $10,000 surety bond once notified by the county clerk’s office that you are approved as a notary. Click here to purchase a Tennessee notary bond.
  5. File your notary bond and execute an oath of office before the county clerk in the county in which you were elected. The county clerk will hand you your notary commission certificate.
  6. Purchase a notary seal.

Who can become a notary public in Tennessee?

To become a notary public in Tennessee, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Be a resident or have a principal place of business in the Tennessee county in which they want to be elected.
  3. Be a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident.
  4. Never have been removed from the office of notary public for official misconduct.
  5. Never have had a notarial commission revoked or suspended in Tennessee or any other state.
  6. Never have been found by a court in Tennessee or any other state to have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

This Tennessee notary guide will help you understand:

  1. Who can become a notary in Tennessee.
  2. How to become a notary in Tennessee.
  3. How to become an online notary in Tennessee.
  4. The basic duties of a notary in Tennessee.
Apply Online Renew Online

How do I renew my notary commission in Tennessee?

There are ninety-five counties in Tennessee, and each county has its own application form, requirements, and application fee. Some counties offer a downloadable notary application on their website that can be printed, completed, and mailed to the county clerk's office. Others require you to personally visit their office to apply for a notary commission. The easiest way is to call or visit your county clerk's website for information on how to renew your notary commission in Tennessee.

Who appoints notaries in Tennessee?

The Governor approves the commissioning of Tennessee notaries public. The Tennessee Secretary of State issues the notary public commission and maintains records regarding notary commissions, and the county legislative body administers the application process and elects all notaries.

Tennessee Secretary of State
Business Services
Notary Commissions
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
6th Floor, Snodgrass Tower
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
615-741-3699

Can a non-resident of Tennessee apply for a commission as a notary public?

Yes. A non-resident may apply to become a Tennessee notary public if they meet all the eligibility requirements, setting aside the residency requirement, and if their place of business is in the state of Tennessee.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Tennessee?

The term of office of a Tennessee notary public is four years. It is unlawful for any person who has been commissioned as a notary public to take acknowledgments or otherwise act in an official capacity after the expiration of such notary’s commission. A violation of this is a class C misdemeanor.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee notary law does not require a course of study or examination to qualify to become a notary public in Tennessee. However, the American Association of Notaries recommends that all Tennessee notary applicants complete a notary course so they can clearly understand their state’s notary laws and the duties and responsibilities of a notary.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Tennessee?

The cost to become a notary in Tennessee includes:

  1. A $12 filing fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment.
  2. A four-year, $10,000 surety bond. Click here to view our Tennessee notary bond price.
  3. A notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
  4. A notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
  5. A notary errors and omissions insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself in the event you are sued for unintentional mistakes, or a false claim is filed against you as a notary. Click here to view our notary e/o policy premiums and coverage amounts.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Tennessee?

A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Tennessee notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Tennessee notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Tennessee notary public.

Tennessee notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Tennessee?

Yes. All Tennessee notaries are required to maintain a four-year, $10,000 notary bond for the duration of their notary terms. The notary bond protects the public from a notary’s errors. If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Click here to order your four-year Tennessee notary bond online at the American Association of Notaries website.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee notary law requires all Tennessee notaries to use an official seal to authenticate all official acts. A notary’s official seal must be a circular rubber stamp or other type stamp (not an impression seal). The ink color can be any color other than black or yellow provided that the color used to imprint the seal shall be clearly legible and appears as black when photocopied on a non-color copier.

The Tennessee notary statute does not provide dimension requirements regarding the layout for a notary’s official seal. The design prescribed by the Tennessee Secretary of State includes the following elements:

  • The notary’s name as it appears on the commission printed at the top.
  • The county of election printed at the bottom.
  • One of the following:
    • The words "State of Tennessee Notary Public” printed in the center.
    • The words “Tennessee Notary Public” printed in the center.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% compared to the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Tennessee notary stamp, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Tennessee notary seal?

Tennessee law does not address the steps to follow when a notary seal is lost or stolen. However, the American Association of Notaries recommends you report the incident to the secretary of state, your appointed county clerk’s office, and to your local law enforcement agency. After notifying the secretary of state, you may click here to order a new seal.

How much can a Tennessee notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

  • For notarial acts on tangible documents: Notarial fees are not set by Tennessee notary laws; however, a notary public or their employer are entitled to demand and receive reasonable fees and compensation for the notary’s services.
  • For online notarizations: An online notary public or their employer may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed $25 per performance of an online notarization (in addition to any other fees authorized by law).
  • For medical records other than workers' compensation cases: A notary may charge a flat fee of $20 to certify a tangible or electronic document.

Is a notary journal required in Tennessee?

Notary journal requirements for each type of notarization in Tennessee:

  • Traditional Notarizations –If a notary charges a fee, the notary must keep a record either in an appropriate electronic form or a well-bound book of each of their attestations, protestations, and other instruments of publication (T.C.A. § 8-21-1201). A record of fees received should also be kept for income tax records. While no record is required if no fee is charged, it is recommended that every notary keep a record of their notarial acts in a well-bound book or electronic file.
  • Online Notarizations – Tennessee notaries performing online notarizations are required to maintain an electronic record of all electronic documents notarized.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices. 

 The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Tennessee notaries record in their notary journals?

Tennessee requires notaries to chronicle the following information in their notary journals:

For Traditional Notarizations:

  1. The date of the acknowledgment, affidavit, or other transaction.
  2. The name of the person whose signature is being notarized.
  3. To whom the instrument is being executed.
  4. A description, including the date, of the instrument.
  5. Whether the person whose signature was notarized was a personal acquaintance or what proof was shown prior to notarizing the signature.
  6. What fee, if any, was received.

 For Online Notarizations:

  1. The date and time of the notarization.
  2. The type of notarial act.
  3. The type, the title, or a description of the electronic document or proceeding.
  4. The printed name and address of each principal involved in the transaction or proceeding.
  5. Evidence of the identity of each principal involved in the transaction or proceeding in the form of:
    • A statement that the principal(s) is (are) personally known to the online notary public.
    • A notation of the type of identification document provided to the online notary public for each principal.
    • A notation that the principal(s) completed identity proofing and credential analysis procedures described by Rule 1360-07-03-.05 and both were satisfactory to verify the identity of the principal(s).
  6. A recording of any video and audio conference that is the basis for satisfactory evidence of identity and a notation of the type of identification presented as evidence.
  7. The fee, if any, charged for the notarization.

What steps should I take if my Tennessee notary journal is lost or stolen?

Traditional notarizations – Tennessee notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency, your appointed county clerk’s office, and the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Online notarizations – An online notary must immediately notify the secretary of state if their electronic records are lost or used by another person. If the electronic records are stolen or vandalized the online notary must notify both the secretary of state and the appropriate law enforcement agency.

How long should I retain my Tennessee notary journal?

Tangible notary journal – Tennessee notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you keep the tangible notary journal indefinitely.

Online notarizations –Tennessee online notaries must maintain their notary journals for at least five years after the date of the last transaction or proceeding requiring notarization.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Tennessee?

A Tennessee notary public is authorized to perform notarial acts in any county in the state of Tennessee, as long as the notary is physically located within the geographic borders of the state.

What notarial acts can a Tennessee notary public perform?

A Tennessee notary is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:

  • Administer oaths.
  • Take depositions.
  • Take affidavits.
  • Take acknowledgments.
  • Qualify parties to bills in chancery.
  • Solemnize marriages.

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Tennessee?

Tennessee law allows the following two types of notarizations:

Traditional notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Remote online notarizations - The signer appears remotely before an online notary via audio-visual communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to become an online notary in Tennessee?

To become an online notary in Tennessee you must:

  1. Hold an active Tennessee notary public commission.
  2. Review the Online Notary Public Act, TCA 8-16-301, and rules.
  3. Contract with an appropriate third-party technology vendor.
  4. Create an account on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website.
  5. Complete the online notary application, submit the required documents, and pay an initial fee of $75.

For more information on how to become an online notary, visit the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website.

How do I update my address on my Tennessee notary commission?

There are ninety-five counties in Tennessee, and each county has its own policies and procedures regarding updating your address. Contact your county clerk's office for information on how to update your address associated with your notary public commission.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Tennessee?

There are ninety-five counties in Tennessee, and each county has its own policies and procedures regarding updating a notary’s commission name. Contact your county clerk's office for information about how to update the name on your notary commission.

Revised:

August 2024

Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions. 

Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.