A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become an Online Notary in Maryland
Want to become a remote online notary in Maryland? Maryland allows commissioned notaries to perform remote notarizations using approved communication technology, giving you the ability to serve eligible signers without meeting them in person.
Becoming a Maryland online notary involves two main stages: first becoming a commissioned Maryland Notary Public, and then receiving authorization to perform remote notarial acts. This guide walks you through the process step by step.
How Do You Become an Online Notary in Maryland?
To become an online notary in Maryland, you must first hold an active Maryland Notary Public commission. New applicants must complete an approved course of study and pass an examination, apply for their commission, take the oath of office, select a Maryland-authorized remote online notarization vendor, and submit the state's Remote Notary Notification online. You must receive confirmation from the Maryland Secretary of State before performing remote notarial acts.
Maryland Online Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Active Maryland Notary Commission | Required |
|---|---|
| Course of Study | Required for new notary applicants |
| Notary Examination | Required for new notary applicants |
| Remote Notary Notification | Required before performing remote notarial acts |
| Authorized RON Vendor | Required when performing electronic RON through a vendor |
| Maryland E&O Insurance Requirement | Not required by the State of Maryland |
| Digital Certificate | Required for electronic records; must meet Maryland's applicable digital certificate standards |
| Audio-Video Recording | Required for remote notarial acts |
| Notary Journal | Required |
| Journal Retention | 10 years after the last notarial act recorded in the journal |
| RON Recording Retention | At least 10 years |
| Maximum Maryland Remote Notary Fee | $30 per remote notarial act |
Does Maryland Require E&O Insurance for Online Notaries?
No. Maryland does not currently require Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance as part of its state notary commissioning or remote-notary authorization requirements. A RON platform or another organization may establish its own insurance requirements, but those are separate from Maryland's state requirements.
Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify to Become a Maryland Notary
Before you can become a Maryland remote online notary, you must qualify for a traditional Maryland Notary Public commission.
Generally, an applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be of good moral character and integrity.
- Be a Maryland resident or have a place of employment or practice in Maryland.
- Meet Maryland's additional requirements for out-of-state applicants, when applicable.
- Complete Maryland's required notary education and examination requirements for new applicants.
Maryland residents are generally commissioned in the county where they reside. Out-of-state applicants who qualify based on working or practicing in Maryland generally qualify through the appropriate Maryland county connected with their work or practice.
Step 2: Complete the Required Maryland Notary Course and Exam
New Maryland notary applicants must complete a course of study and pass an examination through a provider authorized by the Maryland Secretary of State.
After completing the course and passing the exam, you should receive two documents: a certificate showing completion of the course and a certificate showing that you passed the examination. You will need electronic copies when completing your Maryland notary application.
New applicants should also review the Maryland Notary Handbook and become familiar with the laws, regulations, procedures, and ethical responsibilities that apply to Maryland notaries.
Step 3: Apply for Your Maryland Notary Commission
Maryland's new notary application is completed online through the Secretary of State's filing system. The current state application fee for a new Maryland notary commission is $25.
Be prepared to provide information and documents such as your legislative district, government-issued identification, contact information for three references, your course completion certificate, and your examination certificate.
Once your application is reviewed and approved, the State will notify you by email. You will then be instructed to appear before the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the county in which you are being commissioned.
After you take the oath and receive your commission, you are officially a Maryland Notary Public. A Maryland notary commission has a four-year term.
Step 4: Choose a Maryland-Authorized RON Vendor
Once you hold an active Maryland notary commission, the next step is preparing to perform remote online notarizations.
If you plan to notarize electronic records through a remote online notarization platform, Maryland requires you to use a RON vendor authorized by the Maryland Secretary of State.
Online Notary Center Is Authorized in Maryland
Online Notary Center is included on the Maryland Secretary of State's current list of authorized Remote Online Notary vendors. Maryland notaries can select Online Notary Center when completing the state's Remote Notary Notification for electronic RON.
Step 5: Set Up Your Maryland RON Technology
Remote online notarization requires more than a standard video call. Maryland law establishes technology, identity-verification, security, recording, and digital certificate requirements for remote notarial acts.
Your RON setup should support the requirements that apply to your notarizations, including:
- Real-time audio-video communication between the notary and remotely located signer.
- Secure identity verification.
- Credential analysis and identity proofing when required.
- An audio-video recording of the remote notarial act.
- A compliant electronic notary signature and official stamp.
- A digital certificate meeting Maryland's standards for electronic records, including the X.509 standard or similar industry-standard technology.
- Secure storage for required journals and audio-video recordings.
You should also have a dependable computer, webcam, microphone, and internet connection so that the signer can be clearly seen and heard throughout the session.
Step 6: Submit Maryland's Remote Notary Notification Online
Becoming a commissioned Maryland notary does not automatically authorize you to perform remote notarizations. Before performing your first remote notarial act, you must notify the Maryland Secretary of State.
Maryland now requires the Remote Notary Notification to be submitted through its online filing system. The paper notification form is no longer used.
For electronic remote online notarizations, select the option indicating that you intend to perform remote notarial acts on electronic records using an authorized RON vendor. You will then identify the approved vendor or vendors you intend to use.
Using Online Notary Center?
Select Online Notary Center as one of your authorized RON vendors when completing the Maryland Remote Notary Notification.
After the notification has been completed properly and an authorized RON vendor has been selected, the Secretary of State will send you an email confirming whether you are authorized to perform remote notarial acts.
Do not begin performing remote notarizations until you have received the state's confirmation of your authorization.
Step 7: Follow Maryland's Journal and Recording Requirements
Recordkeeping is an important part of being a Maryland notary, whether you notarize documents in person or online.
Maryland requires notaries to maintain a journal documenting their notarial acts. Journal entries are made at the time of the notarization and contain information about the transaction, signer, identification method, fee, and whether the signer appeared physically or through communication technology.
A Maryland notary journal must generally be retained for 10 years after the last notarial act recorded in that journal.
For remote notarizations, an audio-video recording of the notarial act must also be created and retained for at least 10 years, unless a different retention period is established by applicable Maryland regulation.
Step 8: Start Performing Remote Online Notarizations in Maryland
Once your traditional Maryland commission is active, your technology is ready, and the Secretary of State has confirmed your remote-notary authorization, you can begin performing compliant online notarizations.
During a remote session, the notary must follow Maryland's identification, communication technology, certificate, recording, journal, and electronic-record requirements.
Maryland currently permits a notary to charge no more than $30 for the performance of a remote notarial act.
What Happens When Your Maryland Notary Commission Renews?
Your authority to perform remote notarial acts expires when your underlying Maryland notary commission expires. When you renew your notary commission, Maryland requires you to submit a new Remote Notary Notification if you want to continue performing remote notarizations.
If you change to a new RON vendor while your commission is active, Maryland also requires notification to the Secretary of State within the time established by Maryland's regulations.
Maryland Online Notary FAQs
Can I become an online notary in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland permits commissioned notaries who have completed the state's remote-notary notification process to perform remote notarial acts using compliant communication technology.
Do I have to live in Maryland to become a Maryland notary?
Not necessarily. Maryland allows qualifying individuals who have a place of employment or practice in Maryland to apply even if they live outside the state. Additional reciprocity requirements apply to qualifying out-of-state applicants.
Does Maryland require E&O insurance for online notaries?
No. Maryland does not currently impose a state E&O insurance requirement as part of its notary commission or remote-notary authorization process. Individual RON providers or businesses may have separate insurance requirements.
Does Maryland require an approved RON platform?
If you are performing electronic remote notarizations through a RON vendor, the vendor must be authorized by the Maryland Secretary of State. Maryland maintains an official list of authorized RON vendors.
Is Online Notary Center authorized in Maryland?
Yes. Online Notary Center is currently included on the Maryland Secretary of State's list of authorized Remote Online Notary vendors.
How much can a Maryland online notary charge?
Maryland currently allows a notary public to charge no more than $30 for the performance of a remote notarial act.
How long do Maryland online notaries keep their records?
Maryland notary journals must generally be retained for 10 years after the final notarization recorded in the journal. Audio-video recordings created for remote notarial acts must generally be retained for at least 10 years.
Can a Maryland online notary notarize for someone in another state?
A Maryland remote notary must be physically located in Maryland when performing the notarial act, but the remotely located signer may be in another location. Maryland law also permits certain remote acts for individuals outside the United States when the statutory requirements for those transactions are satisfied.
Ready to Become an Online Notary in Maryland?
Once you have your Maryland Notary Public commission, Online Notary Center can help you take your notarial services online through a RON platform authorized for use in Maryland.
Explore Maryland Online Notary ServicesOfficial Maryland Notary Resources
Because notary laws, fees, forms, and administrative requirements can change, always confirm current requirements with the Maryland Secretary of State before applying or performing a remote notarization.