how to become a notary in tn

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CALIFORNIA NOTARY EXAM

THE NOTARY'S STORE

NOTARY-SERVICES

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State of Tennessee

Becoming a Notary Public has never been easier. All of your State's Contact Information is listed for your reference and review. Scroll down and you will find your State's Qualifications and easy to follow Application Procedures.

Thanks for allowing the Notary Learning Center to help you in becoming a Notary Public.

Because the qualifications and requirements are different for each state, use the "Select another State" menu above for information specific to becoming a Notary Public in that State.

Contact Information:

State Contact: Office of the Secretary of State
Appointing Authority: Notaries are elected by the county legislative body and are then commissioned by the Governor.

Contact:
Tennessee Secretary of State
Division of Business Services
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Snodgrass Tower, 3th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

Telephone: 615-741-2286
E-Mail: TNSOS.ATS@tn.gov
Website: https://sos.tn.gov/notary-commissions

Qualifications

Applicants for the office of notary public must meet the following criteria:

A notary must be at least 18 years of age
Be a resident of, or maintain a principal place of business in, the county from which he or she is elected
You must be a United States Citizen

An applicant must certify under penalty of perjury that he/she:

Has never been removed from office as a notary for official misconduct
Has never had a notarial commission revoked or suspended
Has never been found, by a court, to have previously engaged in the unauthorized practice of law

An applicant will be disqualified from holding the office of notary public for any of the following reasons:

They have been convicted of offering or giving a bribe, larceny or any other offense declared infamous by law (unless restored to citizenship)
They are a person against whom there is an unpaid judgment for money received by them in an official capacity and due to the United States, to Tennessee or any Tennessee county
They are a person who is a defaulter to the treasury at the time of election
They are a soldier, seaman, marine or airman in the regular army, navy or air force of The United States
They are a member of congress or a person holding any office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state or the United States

Term of Office
4 years

Appointment
Notaries are elected by the county legislative body and are then commissioned by the Governor.

Notary Education
Recommended - not required

Notary Exam
Not required

Study Course
"Notary Public Education Course"
FREE when you purchase a Notary Supply Package at The Notary's Store

Bond
$10,000 (Ordered after receiving your commission)

Seal of Office
Rubber Seal/Stamp Round with reproducible ink required by state law

Notary Journal
Required by state law

E & O insurance
Not required - Errors and Omissions Insurance is recommended for notary protection

Application Procedures

Step 1: Contact the County Clerk for the application and instructions

Obtain and complete an application from your County Clerk's office. Find your County Clerk's contact information here

Submit the completed application to your County Clerk with the application fee of $12 ($7 for the County Clerk and $5 for the Secretary of State).

Be elected by the county legislative body (county commission) in the county in which the applicant resides or maintains his/her principal place of business at the time of his/her election.

New and Renewing Notary Packages
Renewing Notary Packages do not come with a notary journal

Our New and Renewal Notary Packages DO NOT include your required $10,000 Tennessee Notary Bond.

Step 2: Order your Notary Supplies from The Notary's Store but you will need to order your notary bond separately.

Before acting as a Tennessee notary public you will have to purchase a $10,000 surety bond, an official seal and a sequential journal to record your notarial acts.

Provide proof of the bond to the County Clerk. Your documents will be submitted to the state. The Secretary of State's office will issue the Notary Commission and return it to the County Clerk's
Please visit The Notary's Store you will be entering the Tennessee section for your official notary supplies. We offer a New Notary Supply Package and a Renewing Notary Supply Package which include your required Tennessee Notary Seal/Stamp Round and Tennessee Notary Journal, and other needed notary supplies at a special reduced price, but you will need to order your required $10,000 Tennessee Notary Bond separately.To order, enter the required information and scroll down through the page to locate the notary packages, or you can purchase your notary supplies separately. Follow the instructions through checkout. Once you receive your bond, seal and supplies you will be ready to begin your duties as a notary public for the State of Tennessee.

Your order will be processed as quickly as possible, usually shipping in 1-2 days.

Note: An Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy does not replace a bond, but will help to repay the bonding company if a claim is ever made. Errors and Omissions is not required by law, but may be purchased as it protects the notary public and pays for any charges the notary might owe for legal fees and costs should the notary be sued.