Notary Public Permit Requirements in Philadelphia, PA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a notary public in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Verified 2026-08-31 5 stops $150–$500 est. 4–8 weeks to complete all steps and receive commission
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Pennsylvania

3 stops

  1. Pennsylvania Notary Commission

    Apply to the Pennsylvania Department of State for a 4-year notary commission. Must be a Pennsylvania resident (or have a PA place of employment/practice), 18+, complete an approved 3-hour education course, pass an exam, and obtain a $25,000 bond.

    Official government source

    $42 (application fee) + course + $25,000 bond4–6 weeks

  2. Pennsylvania Notary Bond ($25,000)

    Required for all Pennsylvania notaries. Must be filed with your county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment.

    Official government source

    $25,000 bond (premium typically $50–$150 for 4 years)1–3 days

  3. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (Recommended)

    While not required in Pennsylvania, E&O insurance protects notaries from financial losses due to unintentional mistakes. Coverage of $25,000–$100,000 typically costs $40–$80/year. The National Notary Association offers bundled packages.

    $40–$80/yearImmediate

City of Philadelphia / Philadelphia County

1 stop

  1. Philadelphia Commercial Activity License (if operating a notary business)

    If you operate a standalone notary business (notary signing agent services, mobile notary, etc.) in Philadelphia, you need a Commercial Activity License (CAL) from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. The license is free, does not expire, and needs no renewal; you must first have a BIRT tax account with the Department of Revenue. Employees who notarize as part of a job at an existing licensed business do not need their own CAL.

    Official government source

    $0 (no fee)Same day (issued automatically online via eCLIPSE)

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$500 · 4–8 weeks to complete all steps and receive commission

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Official Sources

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