Marylandnotary public requirements & rules
Exam requiredMaryland notary law basics: exam requirement, commission term, bond, and how to prepare — from the official commissioning authority.
- Written exam
- Exam required
- Administered by
- State-approved training course + exam required since October 2021 (list of authorized course/exam providers maintained by Secretary of State)
- Commission term
- 4 years
- Surety bond
- None — no bond required to be commissioned or to maintain commission
- Notes
- Application requires approval by the applicant's state Senator before Secretary of State/Governor appointment — an unusual political-sponsorship step. Confidence on the exam requirement is medium: the SOS's own Notary Division page did not spell this out directly in the fetched content (it only referenced a list of 'Authorized Course of Study and Examination Providers'), but the October 2021 course+exam mandate is corroborated by multiple independent notary-industry sources.
Some Maryland details were ambiguous on the official site when we researched this (July 2026) — double-check specifics with the commissioning authority before you rely on them.
Preparing to be a Maryland notary
Maryland requires a written exam, and PrepTempo's Notary course covers the notarial concepts it tests — notarial acts, identifying signers, journals and seals, and unauthorized practice of law. Study your Maryland statute on top of the core.
Free notary practice questions →Maryland notary public FAQ
Does Maryland require a notary exam?
Yes. Maryland requires a written notary exam (State-approved training course + exam required since October 2021 (list of authorized course/exam providers maintained by Secretary of State)).
What are the Maryland notary public rules for term and bond?
A Maryland notary commission is typically 4 years. Surety bond requirement: None — no bond required to be commissioned or to maintain commission. Confirm current amounts with the official Maryland authority.
How do I become a notary public in Maryland?
Follow Maryland commissioning steps: complete any required training or exam (Exam required), obtain the required bond if applicable (None — no bond required to be commissioned or to maintain commission), and apply through the official Maryland commissioning office. PrepTempo's Notary course covers core notarial concepts for exam and practice readiness.
Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm with the Maryland commissioning authority. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state authority or the National Notary Association.