Tennessee Notary Bond— $10,000 — Elected, Not Appointed
The Tennessee notary bond is a $10,000 surety bond required by TCA §8-16-104. Tennessee is one of the only states where notaries are elected by the county legislative body, not appointed by the Secretary of State. The $10,000 bond per TCA §8-16-104 covers a 4-year commission with statewide authority across all 95 counties. No exam required for traditional notaries — but SB1051 now mandates an exam for online notaries effective January 1, 2026. Learn how to get a surety bond or explore all notary bond requirements. Compare what a $10,000 surety bond costs for other bond types.
- Who requires it: Tennessee Secretary of State (TCA §8-16-104).
- Amount: $10,000 for a 4-year commission term.
- Typical cost (estimate): about $30–$50 for the full 4-year commission term. The surety sets the final price.
- Timing: Same-day submission; most quotes within one business day.
Our County-Verified Accuracy Pledge
We verify Tennessee notary requirements against official TCA statutes and the Secretary of State portal — including the unique county commission election process that is easy to overlook. From BuySuretyBonds.com: accurate requirements, instant bonding.
How the Tennessee Election Process Works
Unlike every other state, TN notaries are elected by the county commission per TCA §8-16-101. Learn more about how surety bonds work, surety bond requirements, and types of surety bonds.
Apply at County Clerk's Office
Submit application + $12 fee ($5 SOS + $7 county) in the county where you reside or maintain principal place of business.
County Commission Votes
The county legislative body votes to elect you as a notary. Meeting schedules vary by county.
Governor Issues Commission
Once elected, the Governor issues your 4-year commission. The SOS office processes the paperwork.
Purchase Your $10,000 Bond
Get an instant quote through BuySuretyBonds.com. Bond must be from a licensed surety. County clerk records the bond for $2.
Take Oath + File Bond
Appear before the county clerk. Take the oath of office. File your bond. You cannot act until ALL three are complete: commission received, bond filed, AND oath taken.
Begin Notarizing Statewide
Your commission covers all 95 Tennessee counties. Maximum: reasonable fees for traditional acts, $25 for online acts.
SB1051: New Mandatory Course & Exam for Online Notaries
Public Chapter 124 (signed April 8, 2025) amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 16, Part 3 to require online notary applicants to complete a Secretary of State-approved course and pass an examination before registration. This is easy to miss. Source: TN Capitol — SB1051. Read about 2025–2026 state bond changes.
Course Required
SOS-approved instruction covering notarial laws, RON technology procedures, and ethical requirements.
Exam Required
Must pass examination before SOS will approve online notary registration. Details TBD from SOS rules.
Traditional Unaffected
SB1051 only applies to online (RON) notaries. Traditional in-person notaries still need no exam or education.
Tennessee Notary Bond Premium by Credit
Based on a $10,000 bond amount
- Excellent (720+)Rate: 1-2%$25-40
- Good (660-719)Rate: 2-3%$40-55
- Fair (600-659)Rate: 3-5%$55-100
- Below Average (500-599)Rate: 5-8%$100-200
- Poor (below 500)Rate: 8-15%$200-375
Premium covers the full 4-year commission. Most Tennessee applicants pay $30-50 total.
Try our notary bond calculator. See surety bond cost guide or notary bond cost by state. Compare with the bond vs. cash deposit option.
Official Tennessee Requirements
"Every notary shall give a bond in the penalty amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), payable to this state, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the notary's duties."Tennessee Secretary of State • TCA §8-16-104
How Much Does a Tennessee Notary Bond Cost?
The $10,000 Tennessee notary bond typically costs $30–50 for the full 4-year term. Most notary bonds are flat-rate, and many don’t require a credit check. See our surety bond cost guide or notary bond calculator.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks reimbursement from you. E&O insurance protects you — covering legal defense and settlements. Most Tennessee notaries carry both. See our bond vs. insurance guide.
Watch: Tennessee Notary Bond — $10,000
Tennessee notaries are elected by the county commission — not appointed by the Secretary of State — making it one of the most unique commissioning systems in the country. A new SB1051 exam requirement also took effect in 2026 for online notaries.
Key moments in this video
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$10,000 bond, instant quote, have it ready for your county clerk visit.
Get Your Bond NowEligibility (TCA §8-16-101)
- Age 18+
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Resident of county of election OR principal place of business there
- Non-TN residents with TN workplace also qualify
- No exam or education for traditional notaries
- Must certify: no removal for misconduct, no prior revocation, no unauthorized practice of law finding
Disqualification
Infamous crimes: Bribery, larceny, and similar — disqualifying unless citizenship rights restored (same as TCA §8-18-101).
Moving out of state: Practicing as notary after moving = Class C misdemeanor (TCA §8-16-113).
Must certify under penalty of perjury: Never removed for misconduct, no prior revocation in any state, no finding of unauthorized practice of law.
Seal Requirements (TCA §8-16-114)
Type: Rubber/ink stamp (not embosser)
Color: NOT black or yellow — must be a color other than black but appear black on B&W copies
Shape: Circular design
Must include: Name, county of election, “State of Tennessee Notary Public” or equivalent
Surrender: Must surrender seal on expiration or resignation
Renewal
Tennessee notary commissions run 4 years. To renew, you must repeat the county commission election process — apply at the county clerk, the commission votes, and the Governor issues a new commission. A new $10,000 bond is required at each renewal term. Use our notary bond calculator to estimate your renewal cost.
Compare neighboring states: Alabama notary bond ($50K), Kentucky notary bond ($1K), Mississippi notary bond ($25K), Georgia notary bond, North Carolina notary bond, Virginia notary bond, Arkansas notary bond. See all bond types, the notary bond hub, or notary requirements by state. Understand bond vs. E&O insurance and read the surety bond glossary. Learn how to get a surety bond and explore what a surety bond is.
Tennessee Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Tennessee notaries "elected" instead of appointed?
Tennessee is unique — notaries are elected by the county legislative body (county commission), not appointed by the Secretary of State or Governor. You apply through your county clerk, and the county commission votes to elect you. Per TCA §8-16-101, you must reside in the county of election or maintain your principal place of business there. The Governor then issues your commission.
What changed with SB1051 for online notaries?
Public Chapter 124 (signed April 8, 2025, effective January 1, 2026) now requires online notary applicants to complete a Secretary of State-approved course of instruction AND pass an examination before registering. This covers notarial laws, RON technology procedures, and ethical requirements. Traditional notaries still do not need an exam or education.
How much does it cost total to become a Tennessee notary?
Approximately $55-70: $5 SOS application fee + $7 county clerk fee + $10,000 bond premium (~$30-45 for 4 years) + $2 bond recording fee. County fees vary — Knox County is $12 total, Montgomery County charges $44.70 (includes stamp). Online notary registration is an additional $75. See our notary bond cost page at /notary-bonds/cost/ for a full breakdown.
Is there a maximum fee Tennessee notaries can charge?
For traditional notarial acts, TCA §8-21-1201 allows "reasonable fees and compensation" — there is no specific per-act dollar cap in current law. For online notarizations, the maximum is $25 per act per TCA §8-16-311. Financial institution employees may be prohibited from charging notary fees.
What happens if I move out of Tennessee?
If you move your residence out of Tennessee AND have no principal place of business in TN, you are no longer qualified. Practicing as a notary after losing Tennessee residency/business nexus is a Class C misdemeanor per TCA §8-16-113. Your statewide authority across all 95 counties ends immediately.
Is TACIR proposing a bond increase?
The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) has been studying whether to increase the $10,000 bond (unchanged since 1993) as part of real estate fraud protection research. As of April 2026, no legislation has been enacted to increase the amount, but the study is ongoing. Monitor changes at our blog covering state bond changes.
How much is a notary bond in Tennessee?
The $10,000 Tennessee notary bond typically costs $30-50 for the full 4-year commission term. This is a one-time premium, not annual. Many notary bonds don’t require a credit check. Total out-of-pocket to become a Tennessee notary is approximately $55-70 including the $5 SOS fee, $7 county clerk fee, and $2 bond recording fee. See our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.
How do I get a notary bond in Tennessee?
Purchase your $10,000 bond online through BuySuretyBonds.com for an instant quote. You pay nothing until your bond is issued. Once you have your bond, present it at the county clerk office where your county commission has elected you. The county clerk records the bond for $2, administers the oath of office, and your commission becomes active across all 95 Tennessee counties per TCA §8-16-104.
Looking for more information? Browse the Learning Center, read our guide on surety bond basics, or use the bond cost calculator. You can also get an instant Tennessee notary bond quote. Explore surety bond requirements and types of surety bonds.
Official Tennessee Sources
For state-specific changes and updates, see our 2025–2026 state bond changes article. Need a different bond type? Explore Tennessee contractor license bonds or Tennessee auto dealer bonds. See the full bond directory.
TN SOS — Become a Notary
Official step-by-step guide
TCA §8-16-104 (Bond)
$10,000 bond requirement
SB1051 (RON Exam)
New online notary course + exam (Jan 2026)
TCA §8-16-101 (Election)
Eligibility and county commission election
Online Notary Registration
$75 RON application
TACIR Real Estate Fraud Study
Bond increase study (ongoing)
Estimate Your Tennessee Notary Bond Premium
Free calculator — ballpark cost in under 60 seconds, no email required.
Other Tennessee Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Tennessee
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NMLS mortgage licensing
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Nearby States
Notary bonds in neighboring states
Alabama requirements, statute, and bond amount
Arkansas requirements, statute, and bond amount
Kentucky requirements, statute, and bond amount
Mississippi requirements, statute, and bond amount
Missouri requirements, statute, and bond amount
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
Elected by Your County — Bonded by Us
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