Can You Become an Online Notary in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee authorizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) under its Online Notary Public Act. Tennessee generally uses the term Online Notary Public for a commissioned notary who has received additional authorization to perform notarizations remotely.

During a remote online notarization, the signer and notary communicate through real-time two-way audio-video technology rather than being physically together.

One important rule is that the Tennessee online notary must be physically located in Tennessee while performing the online notarization. The signer, however, does not have to be physically located in Tennessee.

Step 1: Become a Commissioned Tennessee Notary Public

Before you can become an online notary, you must first hold a traditional Tennessee Notary Public commission.

Tennessee's traditional notary process begins through the county where you reside or maintain your principal place of business. Applicants generally:

1. Obtain a notary application from the appropriate County Clerk.
2. Submit the application and required county fees.
3. Be elected by the county legislative body.
4. Obtain the required surety bond.
5. Provide proof of the bond to the County Clerk.
6. Complete the oath and commissioning process.
7. Obtain the required Tennessee notary seal.

Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State's traditional notary guide for current commissioning instructions.

Step 2: Complete Tennessee's Required Online Notary Course

Tennessee made an important change to its online-notary requirements beginning January 1, 2026.

Applicants for an Online Notary Public commission must now complete a course of instruction concerning online notarization. The course must be approved by the Tennessee Secretary of State or an authorized representative or designee.

The required course must cover, at a minimum:

• Notarial laws
• Technology procedures used for online notarizations
• Ethical requirements for online notaries

Step 3: Pass the Required Online Notary Examination

Completing the course alone is not enough. Tennessee law also requires you to pass an examination administered by the course provider.

Make sure the course you select satisfies Tennessee's approval requirements before enrolling. Because course providers and state procedures can change, verify current approved-course information with the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Step 4: Choose a Remote Online Notarization Technology Provider

Tennessee requires online notaries to use technology capable of supporting the state's remote notarization requirements.

The Tennessee Secretary of State does not endorse or recommend a specific third-party RON provider. Instead, the technology you select must provide the functionality required under Tennessee law and administrative rules.

Your online notarization platform should support:

• Real-time two-way audio and video communication
• Identity proofing
• Credential analysis
• Electronic signatures
• An electronic notary seal
• A tamper-evident electronic notarial certificate
• A secure electronic notary journal
• Recording and storage of required audio-video sessions
• Security protections against unauthorized access or interception

Online Notary Center provides technology designed for remote online notarization workflows. You can learn more about becoming an online notary in Tennessee on our Tennessee Online Notary page .

Step 5: Set Up Your Electronic Seal, Signature, Certificate and Journal

Tennessee's online-notary application requires information and documentation showing how your technology will support compliant electronic notarizations.

Your electronic seal must substantially comply with Tennessee's requirements and include identifying information associated with your notary commission.

You will also need technology that allows your electronic signature and electronic seal to be attached to the notarial certificate in a way that makes later changes to the notarized electronic document detectable.

Your RON system must also provide an electronic journal capable of maintaining the information required for each online notarization.

Step 6: Prepare Your Tennessee Online Notary Application

Once you hold your traditional commission, complete the required course and exam, and have selected your RON technology, you can prepare your application to become an Online Notary Public.

The Tennessee Secretary of State currently requires applicants to provide information about their technology provider and supporting documentation.

Expect to provide information such as:

1. The name of your remote online notarization technology vendor and a description of the technologies it provides.
2. An explanation of how you will maintain the required electronic notary journal.
3. A copy of your unique electronic notary seal.
4. A copy of your electronic notarial certificate or other technology used to make notarized electronic documents tamper-evident.
5. Instructions or technology information showing how the electronic notarial certificate can be read and authenticated.
6. Information explaining how your technology performs identity proofing and credential analysis.

Step 7: Submit Your Application and Pay the $75 Fee

Submit your Online Notary Public application through the Tennessee Secretary of State and pay the required application fee.

The Tennessee Secretary of State currently lists the online-notary application fee as $75.

Do not begin performing remote online notarizations until your online-notary authorization has been approved.

Start with the Tennessee Secretary of State Online Notary Public guide for the state's current application process.

Step 8: Follow Tennessee Identity Verification Requirements

Tennessee requires the signer to appear before the online notary using qualifying two-way audio-video communication.

The signer's identity may be established through:

• The online notary's personal knowledge of the signer; or
• Remote presentation of qualifying government-issued identification together with credential analysis and identity proofing.

Tennessee also requires the online notary to take reasonable steps to ensure that the audio-video communication is protected against unauthorized interception.

The electronic notarial certificate must indicate that the notarization was performed online.

Step 9: Maintain Your Electronic Journal and Recording

Tennessee online notaries must maintain a secure electronic record of their online notarizations.

The record must include information such as:

• Date and time of the notarization
• Type of notarial act performed
• Description of the document or proceeding
• Name and address of each principal
• Evidence used to establish identity
• Required audio-video recording
• Fee charged, if any

Tennessee law requires these electronic records to be maintained for at least five years after the notarization.

The online notary must also take reasonable steps to protect the integrity, security and authenticity of the records and maintain a protected backup.

Does Tennessee Require E&O Insurance for Online Notaries?

Tennessee's state online-notary commissioning requirements do not specify a separate required Errors & Omissions insurance amount.

This is different from Tennessee's required traditional notary surety bond. Tennessee law requires a $10,000 surety bond as part of the traditional notary commission process.

A technology provider, employer, contracting company or other organization may establish its own insurance requirements. Those should be distinguished from requirements imposed by the State of Tennessee.

How Much Can a Tennessee Online Notary Charge?

Tennessee permits an online notary public, or the online notary's employer, to charge a fee of up to $25 for each online notarization, in addition to other fees that may otherwise be authorized by Tennessee law.

Notaries should always review current Tennessee rules before setting or advertising their fees.

Can You Notarize for Someone Outside Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee law permits a Tennessee Online Notary Public to perform an online notarization without regard to the physical location of the signer, provided the online notary is physically located in Tennessee when performing the notarization.

The document and transaction must still be eligible for remote notarization, and the notary remains responsible for complying with Tennessee law.

Tennessee Online Notary Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tennessee allow remote online notarization?

Yes. Tennessee has authorized online notarization under its Online Notary Public Act since July 1, 2019.

Do I need to already be a Tennessee notary?

Yes. You must first hold a traditional Tennessee Notary Public commission before applying to become an Online Notary Public.

Does Tennessee require online-notary training?

Yes. Beginning January 1, 2026, applicants must complete an approved course of instruction concerning online notarization.

Is there a Tennessee online-notary exam?

Yes. Applicants must pass an examination administered by the approved course provider.

How much is the Tennessee online-notary application?

The Tennessee Secretary of State currently lists a $75 application fee.

Does Tennessee require E&O insurance?

Tennessee does not specify a separate state-required E&O insurance amount as part of its Online Notary Public commissioning requirements. Tennessee does require a $10,000 surety bond for the underlying traditional notary commission.

How long must online-notary records be kept?

Tennessee requires the electronic record of an online notarization to be maintained for at least five years.

Can my signer be outside Tennessee?

Yes. The signer may be located elsewhere, but the Tennessee Online Notary Public must be physically located in Tennessee when the remote notarization is performed.

Official Tennessee Resources

• Tennessee Secretary of State — How to Become a Notary
• Tennessee Secretary of State — How to Become an Online Notary Public

This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Notary laws, rules, fees and administrative procedures can change. Always confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Secretary of State before applying or performing an online notarization.