How to Become a Pennsylvania Notary in 2026
Pennsylvania implemented RULONA on March 28, 2026 — bond increases to $25,000, stamp must include 7-digit commission ID, and journal PII restrictions apply. Plus a 3-hour education course and $42 fee. Philadelphia NSAs earn $75–$150/signing.
Commission Cost
~$152 – $287
NSA-Ready Cost
~$417 – $902
Philadelphia Fee
$75 – $150
Commission Term
4 years
RULONA effective March 28, 2026 — Pennsylvania's biggest notary law change in years
3 key changes: (1) Bond increases from $10,000 to $25,000 for new/reappointed notaries; (2) Notary stamps must now include the 7-digit commission identification number; (3) Journals may NOT contain SSNs, full driver's license numbers, date/place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records. Grandfathering: existing active commissions keep their $10,000 bond until expiration.
Best Pennsylvania Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Pennsylvania Package)Best All-in-One
PA state-approved 3-hour training, $25K bond, RULONA-compliant stamp, journal, NNA Hotline. PA packages start at ~$260 (per research). Verify current pricing at nationalnotary.org/pennsylvania/become-a-notary.
~$260+
Verify at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. Philadelphia Metro and Pittsburgh are Pennsylvania's top NSA markets. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most PA title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Pennsylvania Notary Training Programs
All 2 schools are Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by most title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
- Mark Wills recommends getting BOTH LSS certification AND NNA certification
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening (required by mortgage industry)
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course - 100,000+ students nationwide
- Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are the top Pennsylvania NSA markets
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x /month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Pennsylvania RULONA — What Changed March 28, 2026
Bond: $10K → $25K
New/reappointed notaries only
Existing commissions grandfathered until expiration
7-digit commission ID on stamp
Required under RULONA
Existing stamps without ID may need replacement
Journal PII restrictions
No SSN, full DL#, DOB, etc.
Itemized fee receipts now required
New per-act fees
$5 witnessing; $20 electronic/RON
Verify at notaries.pa.gov
How Much Do Pennsylvania Notary Signing Agents Earn?
ZipRecruiter PA NSA
$42K – $70K
25th–75th pct (Feb 2026)
Philadelphia Top Operators
$70K – $120K+
Direct title relationships
Signing Fee
$75 – $150
Per appointment
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Metro | $100 – $150 |
| Pittsburgh | $75 – $150 |
| Harrisburg / Lancaster | $75 – $125 |
| Allentown / Scranton | $75 – $125 |
How to Become a Pennsylvania Notary — Step by Step
Complete 3-hour PA state-approved education course within 6 months
Must be completed within 6 months of your application submission date. NNA packages include state-approved Pennsylvania training. Verify your provider is on the current PA approved list at notaries.pa.gov.
Submit application at notaries.pa.gov with $42 non-refundable fee
Apply online through the Pennsylvania Department of State's notary portal. $42 non-refundable fee.
Obtain $25,000 surety bond within 45 days (RULONA, effective March 28, 2026)
New and reappointed notaries on or after March 28, 2026 must obtain a $25,000 bond. Cost: ~$50-$100 for the 4-year term. Must be filed within 45 days of receiving your appointment notice. Existing commissions keep $10,000 bond until expiration.
Purchase RULONA-compliant stamp (with 7-digit commission ID) and journal
Your notary stamp must now include your 7-digit commission identification number (RULONA requirement). Purchase a journal noting the new PII restrictions: do NOT record SSNs, full driver's license numbers, or other restricted personal information.
Add NSA training for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) + NNA background check ($199 — required by most PA title companies) + E&O insurance (~$100-$250/yr).
Pennsylvania Notary Requirements
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; PA resident or PA-employed
- 3-hour state-approved course (within 6 months)
- $42 non-refundable application fee
- $25,000 surety bond (new/reappointed Mar 28, 2026+)
- RULONA-compliant stamp with 7-digit commission ID
- Journal with PII restrictions (RULONA)
- 4-year commission term
Regulator + RULONA
- Agency: PA Department of State, Office of Notaries
- Website: notaries.pa.gov
- RULONA: Effective March 28, 2026
- Bond deadline: 45 days from appointment notice
- RON: Authorized; $20 max per act
Get the Complete Pennsylvania Notary Guide — Free
RULONA compliance checklist, $25K bond guide, 7-digit stamp ID instructions, Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh market comparison — delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pennsylvania Notary
How do I become a notary public in Pennsylvania?
Complete a 3-hour state-approved education course within 6 months of application. Submit your application through notaries.pa.gov with the $42 non-refundable fee. After receiving your appointment notice, obtain your surety bond ($25,000 for new/reappointed notaries on or after March 28, 2026) within 45 days. Purchase a notary stamp (must now include your 7-digit commission ID number under RULONA) and journal.
What is RULONA and what changed on March 28, 2026?
The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) took effect in Pennsylvania on March 28, 2026. Key changes: (1) Surety bond increases from $10,000 to $25,000 for new/reappointed notaries; (2) Notary stamps must now display the 7-digit commission identification number; (3) Notary journals may NOT contain Social Security numbers, full driver's license numbers, date/place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records. Grandfathering: notaries with active commissions before March 28, 2026 keep their $10,000 bond until commission expiration.
How much is the Pennsylvania notary bond?
For new applicants and reappointed notaries on or after March 28, 2026: $25,000 surety bond (required within 45 days of appointment notice). Cost is typically $50-$100 for the 4-year term. Notaries with active commissions issued before March 28, 2026 keep their existing $10,000 bond until commission expiration.
What are the new journal PII restrictions under RULONA?
Under RULONA (effective March 28, 2026), Pennsylvania notary journals may NOT contain: Social Security numbers, full driver's license numbers, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records. This is a significant privacy-oriented update. All fees charged must also be documented with itemized receipts.
How long is a Pennsylvania notary commission?
A Pennsylvania notary commission lasts 4 years. Renewal requires a new 3-hour education course, new application with $42 fee, and a new $25,000 bond.
How much does it cost to become a Pennsylvania notary?
Basic commission (post-March 28, 2026): ~$152-$287 ($42 application + $50-$100 bond + $20-$60 education course + $25-$50 stamp + $15-$35 journal). NSA-ready total: ~$417-$902 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr).
How much do Pennsylvania notary signing agents earn?
ZipRecruiter data (Feb 2026) shows Pennsylvania NSAs in the $42,100-$70,200 range (25th-75th percentile). Philadelphia Metro supports the highest fees with full-time operators earning $70,000-$120,000+ at premium volume. Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and the Lehigh Valley provide strong secondary markets.
What are the best Pennsylvania markets for notary signing agents?
Philadelphia Metro is the largest PA market with premium fees driven by dense housing and high home values. Pittsburgh has strong real estate activity with less competition than Philadelphia. Harrisburg/Lancaster provides steady government and suburban demand. Allentown/Lehigh Valley is a growing NJ-border market.
What is the new 7-digit commission ID requirement on PA notary stamps?
Under RULONA (effective March 28, 2026), Pennsylvania notary stamps must now include the 7-digit commission identification number in addition to existing required elements. This is a change from prior practice — if your stamp was made before RULONA and does not include the commission ID, you should replace it. Verify full current stamp specifications at notaries.pa.gov.
Does Pennsylvania support Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. Pennsylvania supports RON. Under RULONA, electronic and remote notarial acts have a maximum fee of $20 per act. Verify current RON registration requirements and approved platforms at notaries.pa.gov.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.