Notary Public in Pennsylvania
Browse 157 cities in Pennsylvania to find a notary public near you.
Pennsylvania notaries are appointed by the Department of State and serve a 4-year commission. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are major markets with active legal and real estate sectors, and Pennsylvania has authorized remote online notarization to expand access — with mobile notaries also serving the state's many rural and small-town communities in between. Pennsylvania's fee cap is set per notarial act at $5, rather than a flat per-signature figure, so a document requiring multiple distinct acts can run more than a single signature elsewhere. Pennsylvania's $25,000 bond is among the highest in the country, paired with mandatory training and a state exam.
Is this notary really commissioned?
Anyone can claim to be a notary. Before you rely on one for an important document, it costs nothing to check that their commission is real, active, and hasn't expired.
Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of State, which provides a free public commission lookup.
Verify a Pennsylvanianotary's commission →What you can legally be charged
As of July 2026, Pennsylvania law caps the fee a notary can charge for a standard notarial act at $5 per notarization. A notary who charges more than the legal maximum for a standard act is breaking the law — you're entitled to ask what they charge before they begin.
What to expect
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID — the notary can't proceed without one.
- Your notary is required to record the transaction in a journal — expect to sign it and provide some basic details.
- Every document is marked with the notary's official stamp or seal, confirming the notarization is complete.
Remote Online Notarization
Pennsylvania has adopted RON — documents can be notarized over a live video call.
Full RON details →For aspiring notaries
Becoming a notary in Pennsylvania
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Surety bond | $25,000 bond required |
| Training course | Required — 3 hours |
| State exam | Required |
Total cost to become a notary in Pennsylvania typically runs $314–$417, covering the application, bond, training, and supplies.
Full guide to becoming a notary →Sourced from the National Notary Association, verified July 2026. Confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of State.