How to Get a Tennessee Notary Public License

A Tennessee notary is considered a public official with statewide jurisdiction whose powers and duties are defined by statute Op. Tenn. Atty. Gen. 07-157. The Tennessee Secretary of State requires all notary publics to be certified with the county where they reside or hold their principal business.

Learn how to become a Tennessee notary public in six simple steps below.

How to Become a Tennessee Notary Public

Becoming a registered notary public in Tennessee is fairly simple, but does require you to get licensed and bonded. Review the steps below to streamline your application process.

Step 1: Verify your eligibility

The Tennessee Secretary of State (SOS) requires certain prerequisites to become a notary public:

Be 18 years of age or older
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Be a current resident or have a principal place of business in the county where you are applying
Have no history of being removed from a notary public office due to misconduct

More requirement details can be found in the Tennessee County Clerk notary public handbook.

Step 2: Obtain and fill out the Tennessee notary license application

Notary publics in Tennessee are required to apply in the county they reside in or hold a principal place of business. There is no uniform application for all counties. Visit your specific county clerk website to get your application form.

Step 3: Purchase and file a $10,000 notary bond

The Tennessee SOS requires all notary publics to file and maintain a $10,000 surety bond to create financial liability for potential misconduct. You can also purchase $10,000–$30,000 of errors and omissions coverage with your bond.

Visit our Tennessee notary public bond page to get your bond in minutes! Then, be sure to file the bond form with the Secretary of State.

Step 4: Get elected by your county commission

After applying, you need to be elected by the county commission. They will review and respond to your application within 3–8 weeks. If approved, you’ll receive your commission date and notary certificate.

Step 5: Purchase your notary seal

The Tennessee SOS requires all notaries to use an official seal. Notaries are responsible for purchasing their seal either through the county clerk’s office or a third–party vendor.

You can find more detailed information on the Tennessee SOS notary public official seal page.

Step 6: Purchase errors and omissions insurance

Most notary publics choose to purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance in addition to their surety bond. E&O is optional, but recommended, to avoid paying legal fees out of pocket for minor notarization errors.

You can bundle $10,000-$30,000 of E&O coverage with your bond for an additional $20-$40. Visit our Tennessee notary bond page to get your bond in minutes!

How to Renew Your Tennessee Notary Public License

Tennessee notary public commission terms last four years. To renew, you must begin the process while your term is still active. The license renewal process is the same as the new application process:

Fill out the proper application
File and purchase a new surety bond
Obtain your updated seal

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Notary Public License?

Tennessee divides the commissioning of notary publics by county. There is no flat rate for each notary public license process, but here’s what you can expect:

Application Fee: Typically $12, but can range from $10–$25
Surety Bond Premium: $50–$90, depending on E&O coverage
Official Notary Seal: Will vary depending on your provider

How to Become an Online Notary Public in Tennessee

To perform online notarizations in Tennessee you need to first be commissioned as a notary public. From there, apply to become a remote online notary (RON) using these steps:

Review applicable statutes
Contract yourself with a third-party RON vendor
Complete the online notary public application

The term lasts four years or until your traditional notary public commission expires. For more information, visit the Tennessee SOS guide to becoming an online notary public.