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United States · Licensing exam

Notary requirements by state

Every state in our table requires you to be 18 (North Carolina also accepts emancipated minors) and expects a tie to the state, by living there or, in some states, working there. Beyond that, notary requirements differ: Pennsylvania, Colorado and Utah ask for US citizenship or permanent residence, Louisiana asks you to be registered to vote in your parish, and North Carolina wants a high school diploma. These are each state's own rules as of October 2026.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What are the notary requirements in each state?

For any state not in this table, check your state's notary office. Georgia, for example, has required a training class for all applicants since January 1, 2025, and Georgia's official pages don't mention an exam.

StateAge and where you live or workOther requirementsExam
New York18 or older. Live in New York, or have an office or business thereSocial Security or tax ID number, or a written explanationYes, unless you're a New York attorney or a qualifying court clerk
California18 or older. Legal California residentApproved 6-hour course and a fingerprint background checkYes
North Carolina18 or older, or legally emancipated. Live or regularly work in the stateLive legally in the US. Speak, read and write English. High school diploma or equivalent. An elected official's recommendation, except in counties with more than 15,000 notaries on recordYes, unless you're a State Bar member
Pennsylvania18 or older. Live, work or practice in the stateUS citizen or permanent resident. Read and write EnglishYes, with Pearson VUE, $65 per attempt, for first-time applicants or after a commission lapses
Colorado18 or older. Live, work or practice in the stateUS citizen or permanent legal resident. Read and write EnglishYes, online
Utah18 or older. Live or work in Utah for 30 days before applyingUS citizen or permanent resident. Read, write and understand English. $5,000 bondYes, online, with a $95 administration fee
Louisiana18 or older. Resident citizen or alien of the state, registered to vote in your parishRead, write and speak English. High school diploma or equivalentYes. A four-hour computer exam at LSU Baton Rouge, $100, after an online pre-assessment. You may bring the 2026 official study guide
Connecticut18 or older. Live in the state or have your main place of business thereNone others listed on the licensing pageYes, inside the application
Hawaii18 or older. Resident of HawaiiUS citizen, as for all public officers. A letter of justification and a character letterYes, closed book, in the county where you live

What disqualifies you from being a notary?

  • New York: a felony conviction generally bars you, and some misdemeanors do too. A pardon, a certificate of relief from disabilities or a certificate of good conduct can make you eligible again.
  • California: you must disclose all convictions and pending arrests, with no time limit. The Secretary of State may deny you for failing to disclose, for a felony or for a disqualifying lesser offense.
  • North Carolina: an application may be denied for a felony or a crime of dishonesty, and no commission is issued within 10 years of release from prison, probation or parole.
  • Colorado: any felony conviction, or a misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past five years.
  • Louisiana: a felony conviction, unless you've been pardoned.
  • Pennsylvania: you must be free from significant criminal convictions or sanctions.

Can anyone be a notary?

No. Every state in the table needs you to be 18 and tied to the state, and several can turn you down over a criminal record. Some people skip steps, though: New York attorneys and qualifying court clerks don't take the exam, and North Carolina State Bar members skip both the course and the exam.

Which office handles notaries in your state?

Usually the secretary of state, but not always. Hawaii's notaries are handled by the Department of the Attorney General, Utah's by the Lieutenant Governor, and Georgia's by the Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. New York's is the Department of State's Division of Licensing Services.

New York Department of State ↗California Secretary of State ↗North Carolina Secretary of State ↗Pennsylvania Department of State ↗Louisiana Secretary of State ↗Colorado Secretary of State ↗Utah Lieutenant Governor ↗Connecticut Secretary of the State ↗

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Sources: NY Department of State, California Secretary of State, North Carolina Secretary of State and 13 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.