Pennsylvania Notary Bond— Now $25,000 — Up from $10,000
Most competitors still show $10,000. As of March 28, 2026, Pennsylvania's notary bond requirement is $25,000 for all new and reappointed notaries. This is part of a comprehensive RULONA regulation overhaul that also changes stamp formats, journal rules, fee schedules, and RON fees. Source: PA Department of State. Learn what a surety bond is or browse all state notary bonds.
Get Your $25,000 PA Bond
New amount effective March 28, 2026 • Instant approval
RULONA Compliance Promise
This page reflects the full March 28, 2026 RULONA regulation package including the $25,000 bond, new stamp format, journal privacy rules, and updated fee schedule. We cross-reference every fact against PA DOS official publications. Pennsylvania notaries trust BuySuretyBonds.com as their bonding partner because we stay current when others fall behind.
Do I Need the $25,000 Bond or Is My $10,000 Still Valid?
The answer depends on when you were appointed. Here's the transition rule — source: PA Department of State. See surety bond cost guide for pricing context.
PA Notary Bond Transition Rules
| Scenario | Bond Amount | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Appointed BEFORE March 28, 2026 with active commission | $10,000 (stays valid) | No action until your commission expires |
| Reappointed/renewed ON OR AFTER March 28, 2026 | $25,000 (new requirement) | Must obtain new $25,000 bond at renewal |
| New applicant appointed on or after March 28, 2026 | $25,000 | Required from the start |
| Commission lapses, reapplying after March 28, 2026 | $25,000 | Must obtain $25,000 bond + retake exam |
Source: pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/notaries/bonding-requirement and /notary-regulations-changes
The 45-Day Window: Don't Miss It
After appointment, you have exactly 45 days to complete ALL of the following before performing any notarial acts. Miss the deadline and your commission is void — you'd start over from scratch. Learn how to get a surety bond quickly.
Execute Your $25,000 Bond
Purchase from an insurance company authorized to do business in PA by the Insurance Department. The surety (not you) completes the bond form.
Register Your Signature
Register with the Prothonotary (or Clerk of Courts in second-class counties). Since January 3, 2023, the Recorder of Deeds is also an alternative. Sign exactly as your name appears on the commission.
Take the Oath of Office
Constitutional oath — may be administered by the Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, or other authorized officer.
Record at Recorder of Deeds
File your bond + oath + commission at the Recorder of Deeds office in the county where you maintain your office.
Pennsylvania Notary Bond Increase
Bond Requirement Increase
Previous Requirement
$10,000
New Requirement
$25,000
What Else Changed on March 28, 2026?
The bond increase is just one part of a comprehensive regulation package under RULONA (Act 73 of 2013). Here's everything that changed. Use our notary bond cost calculator. Track law changes across all states in our 2025–2026 state bond changes roundup.
New Stamp Format
Must include 7-digit commission ID number. Elements in specific order: "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" + "Notary Seal," name + "Notary Public," county, expiration, commission number. Max 1" × 3.5".
Journal Privacy Rules
Journals cannot contain SSNs, full DL numbers, date/place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometrics. Only last 4 digits of IDs allowed.
RON Fee Cap: $20
Electronic and remote notarial acts capped at $20 maximum. Standard acts remain $5 for acknowledgments.
Itemized Receipts Required
Notaries must now provide itemized receipts for all fees charged — a new requirement not in the prior regulations.
Expanded Accepted IDs
New valid IDs: military IDs, inmate IDs, DHS identification, PA university IDs, and consular identification documents.
30-Day Notification Rule
Must notify the Department within 30 days of: name change, address change, email change, tech provider change, resignation, felony conviction, out-of-state discipline, or bond payment.
Official Pennsylvania Requirements
"A notary public shall maintain a surety bond in the amount prescribed by the department... the bond must be executed by an insurance company authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth."Pennsylvania Department of State • 57 Pa.C.S. §321 / 4 Pa. Code Chapters 161, 163, 167
How Much Does a Pennsylvania Notary Bond Cost?
The $25,000 bond premium is a small fraction of the face amount — most Pennsylvania notaries pay well under $100 for the full 4-year commission term. Compare with notary bond costs by state.
Lowest available rate for the 4-year $25,000 bond.
Most PA applicants fall in this range for the full term.
Higher-risk applicants may pay more but can still get approved.
Use our notary bond cost calculator for a precise estimate, or read our surety bond cost guide. See bond vs. cash deposit.
Get Your New $25,000 Pennsylvania Bond
Updated for March 2026 regulations. Instant approval, Treasury-certified carriers.
Get Your Bond NowFee Schedule & Education Requirements
New Fee Schedule (March 28, 2026)
| Notarial Act | Max Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 |
| Each additional name | $2 |
| Oath or affirmation | $5 |
| Verification on oath/affirmation | $5 |
| Witnessing/attesting signature (NEW) | $5 |
| Certifying/attesting copy | $5 |
| Protest of negotiable instrument | $3/page |
| Electronic/remote notarial act | $20 |
Source: PA DOS — Notary Public Fees, Regulation §161.2(a).
Education & Exam
3-Hour Education Course
Must be completed within 6 months before application. Covers statutes, regulations, procedures, and ethics. First-timers take the basic course; renewers take continuing education. Department-approved providers listed at pa.gov.
Pearson VUE Exam — $65/attempt
Required for new applicants and those with expired commissions. Renewing notaries with active commissions are exempt. Computer-based at Pearson VUE centers across PA. One online (OnVUE) attempt allowed; subsequent failures require in-person. 6-month window to pass.
Application Fee — $42
Check or money order payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Apply online at notaries.pa.gov or by mail to Bureau of Notaries, 201 North Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Eligibility
- 18 years or older
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Reside, work, or practice in PA
- Read and write in English
- No disqualifying criminal history
- 3-hour education course
- Pass Pearson VUE exam (new applicants)
Disqualification
5-year presumptive bar: Felony conviction OR misdemeanor involving fraud/dishonesty/deceit within 5 years of application = presumed ineligible.
ARD included: Acceptance of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition counts the same as conviction for the 5-year bar.
Penalties: Administrative fines up to $1,000/violation. Impersonation is a misdemeanor under 18 Pa.C.S. §4913.
Source: PA DOS — Criminal Convictions
Remote Online Notarization
Permanent RON authority since Act 97 of 2020 (effective October 29, 2020).
Must register with the Department and identify each technology platform used. Two types of identity proofing required.
RON fee cap: $20 per act (new as of March 28, 2026).
Register at notaries.pa.gov.
Source: PA DOS — E/Remote Notarization
Pennsylvania professionals may also need a Pennsylvania contractor license bond or a Pennsylvania auto dealer bond. See all surety bond types or learn what a surety bond is. Compare with Ohio (no bond for standard notaries), Indiana ($25,000, 8 years), New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Delaware. Also read about bond vs. insurance and bond vs. cash deposit. Explore the surety bond glossary and notary requirements by state.
Pennsylvania Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Pennsylvania requires a $25,000 surety bond, but does not require Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. Many notaries carry both — here's why they're different.
Notary Bond — Protects the Public
The $25,000 surety bond required by 57 Pa.C.S. §321 protects signers and third parties harmed by your notarial errors or misconduct. If a claim is paid, the surety company can seek reimbursement from you. The bond is legally mandatory.
E&O Insurance — Protects the Notary
E&O insurance covers your own defense costs and damages from honest mistakes. Pennsylvania does not require it, but high-volume notaries and RON providers often carry it as a shield against personal liability. Read more: bond vs. insurance.
Renewing Your Pennsylvania Notary Commission
Pennsylvania notary commissions are 4 years. When you renew, you need a new $25,000 bond covering the next 4-year term. Renewing notaries with active commissions are exempt from the Pearson VUE exam but must complete continuing education.
Renewal Steps
- Complete continuing education (3-hour course within 6 months before renewal)
- No exam required for active commission renewals
- Purchase a new $25,000 bond for the next 4-year term
- File bond, oath, and commission at Recorder of Deeds within 45 days of reappointment
- Pay the $42 application fee online at notaries.pa.gov
Important: Lapsed Commission
If your commission has lapsed, you must reapply as a new notary — including the Pearson VUE exam and full $25,000 bond. There is no grace period. Do not let your commission expire if you want to avoid the exam requirement.
Learn more in our Learning Center, review notary bond requirements by state, and follow our step-by-step guide to getting a surety bond. Check notary bond costs by state or explore all surety bond types. Review the surety bond glossary for key terms. Read about surety bond basics and surety bond requirements.
Pennsylvania Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Pennsylvania notary bond increase to $25,000?
The bond increase from $10,000 to $25,000 is part of the comprehensive RULONA final regulations (4 Pa. Code Part VIII, Subpart C, Chapters 161, 163, 167) effective March 28, 2026. The higher amount provides greater public protection as notarial acts become more complex with electronic and remote notarization. Notaries holding a current commission on March 28, 2026 may keep their $10,000 bond until their commission expires.
Do I still have a $10,000 bond or do I need $25,000?
If you were appointed BEFORE March 28, 2026 and hold an active commission, your $10,000 bond remains valid until your commission expires. When you reapply or renew on or after March 28, 2026, you must obtain the new $25,000 bond. New applicants appointed on or after March 28, 2026 need the $25,000 bond from the start.
What happens if I miss the 45-day filing deadline?
Per 57 Pa.C.S. §321, you must file your bond, oath of office, and register your signature within 45 days of appointment. If you miss this deadline, your commission becomes null and void — you must reapply from scratch, retake the exam (if applicable), and purchase a new bond. There is no extension or waiver.
What changed with the new PA notary stamp format?
Effective March 28, 2026, stamps must include a 7-digit commission identification number (new), displayed in a specific order: "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and "Notary Seal," then notary name and "Notary Public," county, expiration date, and commission number. Maximum dimensions: 1 inch high × 3.5 inches wide with plain border.
What are the new journal privacy rules?
Effective March 28, 2026, notary journals cannot contain: any part of a Social Security number, full driver's license number, full government-issued ID number, date/place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records. Only the last four digits of ID documents may be recorded. Journals must be available for inspection and certified copies delivered within 15 days of request.
How much can Pennsylvania notaries charge per act?
The new fee schedule (Regulation §161.2(a), effective March 28, 2026): $5 for acknowledgments, $2 per additional name, $5 for oaths/affirmations, $5 for verifications, $5 for witnessing signatures (new category), $5 for certifying copies, $3/page for protests, and $20 maximum for electronic/remote notarial acts. Itemized receipts are now required for all fees.
How much is a notary bond in PA?
The new $25,000 Pennsylvania notary bond (effective March 28, 2026) typically costs $40-80 for the full 4-year commission term. Notaries commissioned before that date may still carry the former $10,000 bond until renewal. No credit check is required for most applicants, and you pay nothing until your bond is issued. See our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/ for details.
How do I get a notary bond in PA?
Purchase your bond online through a licensed surety provider like BuySuretyBonds.com for instant approval. After receiving your bond, you must file it along with your oath of office and signature registration within 45 days of appointment per 57 Pa.C.S. §321. Missing this deadline voids your commission entirely. New applicants appointed on or after March 28, 2026 need the $25,000 bond; earlier commissions retain their $10,000 bond until renewal.
Explore the notary bonds hub for all 50 states. See how Pennsylvania compares to Illinois (tiered $5K–$30K), Michigan ($10K, birthday rule), and Ohio (e-estate bond only).
Official Pennsylvania Sources
PA DOS — Bonding Requirement
Current $25,000 bond requirement and filing
Regulation Changes (March 2026)
Complete list of all RULONA regulation changes
Application Information
Fees, education, process
Exam Requirement
Pearson VUE exam details and exemptions
Fee Schedule
All notarial act fees — updated March 2026
Notary Portal
Online application, RON registration
Other Pennsylvania Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Pennsylvania
Updated for the New $25,000 Requirement
Pennsylvania notary bond • Instant approval • 45-day clock starts at appointment