The requirements to become a notary public will vary depending upon where you live. In Mexico and Scotland, as examples, notaries public are trained attorneys. In the United States, notaries public are licensed through their states and are public servants with no legal authority; their duties typically involve witnessing the signing of documents, the taking of oaths and other responsibilities that can vary by state. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements for commissioning notaries public, so check with your local government for its specific requirements.
To become a notary public in most places, you will need to be at least 18 years old. You'll need to be a legal resident or someone who works or does regular business in that area. In some U.S. states, such as California and Texas, only state residents need apply. In others, such as Washington and Oregon, both residents and people from neighboring states working in those states can become notaries public. Different places might have rules about how long you must be a resident before being able to become a notary public.
Generally, people who have been convicted of felonies cannot become notaries public. Some places also disqualify people convicted of certain misdemeanors or require that a specific amount of time has passed since the conviction. The types of misdemeanors can vary. Other requirements might include being able to read and write in the area's official language. Some U.S. states, such as Tennessee, don't allow regular military members to become notaries public, and others, such as South Carolina, specify that applicants "not be under a court order declaring mental incompetence."
If you believe that you qualify to become a notary public, the next step is to apply through your jurisdiction's government. In some places, you will be required to take approved training, usually just a few hours long, and pass an examination to become a notary public. In other places, this isn't required.
There might be fees that you'll need to pay along the way, such as when you apply, when you take the exam or when you register as a notary public after you are approved. You also might be required to undergo a background check as part of the application process. After you are approved, you might be required to post bond in case you are sued.
