Notary Requirements by State: Commission Terms, RON Laws, and How to Find One

Notary public rules are set at the state level, not federally — which means commission length, who appoints notaries, and whether remote online notarization is legal all vary depending on where you live. This guide covers the commission term for every state, explains what remote online notarization (RON) is and where it's legal, and links to a live directory of real notaries in each state.

How Notary Commissions Work

A notary commission is the state's official authorization for someone to act as a notary public — witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying documents. Commission length ranges from 2 years (Delaware, Vermont) to 10 years (Arkansas, South Carolina, West Virginia), with 4 years being the most common term nationally. Most states require renewal through a simplified re-application process once a commission expires, rather than starting the qualification process over.

Notary Commission Terms by State

The table below shows the notary commission term for all 50 states. Click any state to see notary listings — addresses, phone numbers, hours, and ratings — in cities across that state.

Commission terms above reflect each state's standard notary public term as of 2026-07. States periodically update notary law — confirm current requirements with your state's commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State) before applying or renewing.

Louisiana's Notary System Is Different From Every Other State

Louisiana is the exception on this list because it doesn't use the standard U.S. notary model at all. Rooted in the state's civil-law legal heritage (unlike the common-law system every other state uses), Louisiana notaries have significantly broader authority — they can draft legal documents, handle succession proceedings, and perform functions that require an attorney in every other state. If you need a document notarized in Louisiana, search the LocalNotaryFinder directory for a Louisiana notary rather than relying on requirements from another state.

Is Remote Online Notarization (RON) Legal in Your State?

Remote online notarization lets a notary witness your signature over a live video call instead of meeting in person, using identity-verification software. As of 2026, the large majority of U.S. states have passed some form of RON law, though the specific platforms, ID-verification standards, and document types allowed still vary by state. States confirmed to have adopted RON include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington — check your state's Secretary of State site for the current list of approved RON platforms, since this is one of the fastest-changing areas of notary law and new states adopt it regularly.

What Determines How Much a Notary Costs in Your State

Most states cap the fee a notary can charge per signature, but the cap itself varies significantly — from $1 in Illinois up to $15 in California. See our full breakdown in "How Much Does a Notary Cost?" (linked below) for state-specific fee caps, mobile notary travel fees, and where to find free notary services.

Find a Notary in Your State

Use the table above to jump to any state's notary directory — each state page links to cities with real, address-verified notary listings, phone numbers, hours, and ratings. If you know which city you need, search LocalNotaryFinder directly from the homepage.