The Enhanced Pennsylvania Notary Handbook
Pennsylvania notary law in plain English — your Department of State commission and 4-year term, the new $25,000 bond effective March 28, 2026, the required 3-hour education and exam, the required stamp with your 7-digit commission ID, the REQUIRED journal (open to public inspection), the $5/$20 fee caps, and Remote Online Notarization — plus every RULONA short-form certificate 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.
Pennsylvania Notary Law in Plain English
Your DOS commission and 4-year term, the new $25K bond eff. 3/28/2026, the 3-hour education + exam, your stamp with 7-digit ID, the REQUIRED journal (open to public inspection), fees, copies, RON, and the rules you can’t break.
Every RULONA Short Form
Pennsylvania’s acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment, jurat, signature witnessing, and copy certification.
The Stamp & Bond Rules, Solved
PA stamps must show your 7-digit commission ID (eff. 3/28/2026), and the bond jumps from $10K to $25K for new/renewing commissions on or after that date.
Printable Notary Invoice
Bill within PA’s $5/act + new $5/signature-witnessing + $20/RON caps plus travel.
REQUIRED Journal Pages
PA requires a journal under RULONA — and the 2026 regs require it be open to public inspection on request.
30-Day Marketing Quick-Start
A commission doesn’t pay you — clients do. A week-by-week plan plus a glossary.
Enhanced Pennsylvania Notary Handbook
- Pennsylvania notary law in plain English (57 Pa.C.S. Ch. 3 RULONA)
- Acknowledgment, representative acknowledgment & jurat
- Signature witnessing & copy certification done the PA way
- Printable invoice ($5 / $5 sig / $20 RON + travel)
- Binder-ready REQUIRED journal pages
- 30-day marketing quick-start & glossary of terms
About the Enhanced Pennsylvania Notary Handbook
Pennsylvania’s notary law is the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), 57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3 (Act 73 of 2013, as amended November 2022). Updated regulations took effect March 28, 2026 with several MAJOR changes: the surety bond increased from $10,000 to $25,000 for new and renewing notaries on or after that date; the seven-digit commission ID is now required on every stamp; a new $5/signature fee for signature witnessing; and 3 hours of notary education are required. Term is 4 years through the Department of State; a journal is REQUIRED and must be open to public inspection.
Built on the Law — Not a Private Handbook
The explanations are written in our own words; the certificate forms are the short forms in 57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3. You’ll learn what trips new Pennsylvania notaries up: the 4-year term, the $25,000 bond for commissions newly issued or renewed on or after March 28, 2026 (was $10,000 — existing commissions may continue on the prior bond until renewal), the 3-hour education and exam for new AND renewing notaries, the required stamp with your 7-digit commission ID, the REQUIRED journal that must be open to public inspection on request, the $5 per act / $5 per signature witnessing / $20 per RON act fee schedule, and the Department of State + Recorder of Deeds filing path. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania notary handbook?
No. This is an independently produced, enhanced study and reference guide. It is not the official Pennsylvania Notary Public Manual and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the Pennsylvania Department of State.
What changed for PA notaries on March 28, 2026?
The 2026 regulations (4 Pa. Code Part VIII, Subpart C) brought several major changes: the surety bond increased from $10,000 to $25,000 for new/renewing commissions on or after that date; the seven-digit commission ID is now required on every stamp; a new $5 per signature fee was added for signature witnessing/attesting; and 3 hours of notary education are now required for every PA notary.
How long is a Pennsylvania notary commission, and what does it take?
A PA notary commission is 4 years. You must complete 3 hours of state-approved education, pass the state-approved notary exam, apply to the Department of State (~$42), obtain a $10,000 ($25,000 after 3/28/2026) surety bond, take the oath of office, and file your commission and bond with the Recorder of Deeds in your county of residence.
What must a Pennsylvania notary stamp include?
Your stamp must show your name as commissioned, the words ‘Notary Public,’ ‘Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,’ the county of your commission, your commission expiration date, and (as of March 28, 2026) your seven-digit commission ID assigned by the Department.
Does Pennsylvania require a notary journal?
Yes. PA requires a journal of every notarial act under RULONA. Under the 2026 regulations, a notary MUST permit inspection of the journal by any person requesting to view it (oral or written request; inspection in the notary’s presence).
What can a Pennsylvania notary charge per act?
PA caps: $5 per acknowledgment/oath/jurat; $5 per signature for signature witnessing/attesting (new in the 2026 regs); up to $20 per Electronic/RON act. Travel may be agreed separately. Always disclose fees in advance.
Legal Disclaimer: The Enhanced Pennsylvania Notary Handbook is an independently produced study and reference guide. It is not the official Pennsylvania Notary Public Manual and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the Pennsylvania Department 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. Pennsylvania notary law can change — always confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of State, and consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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