The Enhanced Tennessee Notary Handbook
Tennessee notary law in plain English — Tennessee’s UNIQUE election by the county legislative body, the Governor’s commission and 4-year term, the $10,000 bond filed with the County Clerk, the required circular seal (NOT black or yellow), the $5 per-act cap, and Remote Online Notarization since July 1, 2019 — plus every TN customary form and the tools to get paid. Fillable PDF, instant download.
Everything the State Doesn’t Spell Out
The law made simple, the forms you’ll actually use, and the business side handled — all in one download.
Tennessee Notary Law in Plain English
Your UNIQUE county-commission election, the Governor’s commission and 4-year term, the $10K bond at the County Clerk, your seal, fees, copies, RON, and the rules you can’t break.
Every TN Form You’ll Use
Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, and copy certification.
The Circular Seal Rule, Solved
TN seals are circular: your name on top, county of election on bottom, ‘Notary Public’ and ‘State of Tennessee’ inside — and the ink CANNOT be black or yellow.
Printable Notary Invoice
Bill within TN’s $5 per-act cap plus travel by agreement. Fillable and print-ready.
Journal Pages
Recommended for paper acts (not required by statute); REQUIRED electronic journal + AV for RON.
30-Day Marketing Quick-Start
A commission doesn’t pay you — clients do. A week-by-week plan plus a glossary.
Enhanced Tennessee Notary Handbook
- Tennessee notary law in plain English (T.C.A. Title 8 Ch. 16)
- Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment & jurat
- Signature witnessing & copy certification done the TN way
- Printable invoice ($5 cap + travel)
- Binder-ready notary journal pages
- 30-day marketing quick-start & glossary of terms
About the Enhanced Tennessee Notary Handbook
Tennessee is the only state where a notary is ELECTED by the county legislative body. After election, the County Clerk certifies it to the Secretary of State and the Governor issues your commission. Term is 4 years. You must file a $10,000 bond with the County Clerk before acting. Your seal must be circular (not black or yellow ink) showing your name and county of election. Per-act fee is $5. RON has been authorized since July 1, 2019 (Online Notary Public Act).
Built on the Law — Not a Private Handbook
The explanations are written in our own words; the certificate forms follow the requirements of T.C.A. Title 8, Chapter 16 and the Online Notary Public Act (effective 7/1/2019). You’ll learn what trips new Tennessee notaries up: the unique election by the county legislative body, the County Clerk certification to the Secretary of State, the Governor’s commission for 4 years, the $10,000 bond filed with the County Clerk, the circular seal with name on top, county of election on bottom, and ‘Notary Public’/’State of Tennessee’ inside in a color OTHER than black or yellow, the $5 per-act cap under T.C.A. § 8-21-1201, and the RON authorization since July 1, 2019 with NO additional bond. It’s the reference you’ll keep open on your desk.
📝 Fillable & printable
Open it in the free Adobe Reader and type into the fields, or print the forms blank and complete them by hand. Works on PC, Mac, phone, or tablet — and it’s yours to reuse for your entire commission.
Who it’s for
Brand-new Tennessee notaries who want the law in plain English, mobile notaries leveling up, and loan signing agents who want the legal reference and the business forms together in one place.
How to use it
Read Part 1 to understand your duties fast, keep Part 2 handy as your certificate reference, print the Part 3 toolkit and journal pages for real jobs, and work the Part 4 marketing plan to start booking clients. Update and reprint anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notaries ask before downloading.
Is this the official Tennessee notary handbook?
No. This is an independently produced, enhanced study and reference guide. It is not the official Tennessee Notary Public Handbook and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of Tennessee, the Governor, or the Tennessee Secretary of State.
How long is a Tennessee notary commission, and how do you get one?
A TN notary commission is 4 years and is issued by the Governor. The process is unique: you must first be ELECTED by your county’s legislative body (county commission). The County Clerk then certifies the election to the Secretary of State, who forwards it to the Governor. After commissioning, you file a $10,000 surety bond with the County Clerk and take the oath of office.
What must a Tennessee notary seal include?
Your seal must be CIRCULAR, with your name at the top, your county of election at the bottom, and the words ‘Notary Public’ and ‘State of Tennessee’ inside. The ink must be a color OTHER than black or yellow.
Does Tennessee require a notary journal?
Not by statute for paper acts (the SOS strongly recommends one). For RON acts, an electronic journal and audio-visual recording are required.
What can a Tennessee notary charge per act?
Tennessee caps notarial fees at $5 per act (T.C.A. § 8-21-1201). Travel may be agreed separately.
Does Tennessee allow Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes — under the Online Notary Public Act, RON has been authorized since July 1, 2019. NO additional bond is required for the RON authorization; the standard $10,000 bond covers both traditional and remote acts. You must register with the SOS, use an approved tamper-evident technology vendor, keep the electronic journal, and retain the AV recording.
Legal Disclaimer: The Enhanced Tennessee Notary Handbook is an independently produced study and reference guide. It is not the official Tennessee Notary Public Handbook and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the State of Tennessee or the Tennessee Secretary of State. Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers is a nonlawyer document preparation service, not a law firm; this handbook is for education and reference only, is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Tennessee notary law can change — always confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Secretary of State, and consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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