Notary Public Permit Requirements in Columbia, SC

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

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. South Carolina Notary Public Commission

   South Carolina notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for a ten-year term (S.C. Code Section 26-1-10). An applicant must be a registered voter in South Carolina (Section 26-1-15) and must obtain endorsement from the county legislative delegation — either half the delegation or the senator and representative for the applicant's district (Section 26-1-20). The application is completed on paper and mailed to the county delegation office (or to the House of Representatives where a county has no delegation office), and the notary takes an oath that is kept on file.

   Official government source

   $25 for issuance or renewal of a commission (S.C. Code Section 26-1-30).·Not published by the Secretary of State. The paper application must first be endorsed by the county legislative delegation before it reaches the Secretary of State, so allow extra time for that step.

   $25 for issuance or renewal of a commission (S.C. Code Section 26-1-30).

   Not published by the Secretary of State. The paper application must first be endorsed by the county legislative delegation before it reaches the Secretary of State, so allow extra time for that step.

2. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (optional in South Carolina)

   South Carolina does not require a notary public to carry errors and omissions insurance, and it does not require a surety bond either — S.C. Code Title 26, Chapter 1 conditions a commission on being a registered South Carolina voter, obtaining county legislative delegation endorsement, and taking an oath filed with the Secretary of State. E&O is optional coverage a notary may buy to protect against personal financial loss from an unintentional mistake; the notary remains personally liable for negligent or improper acts regardless. Coverage is sold by private insurers and notary associations, often bundled with a stamp and journal.

   Official government source

   No state fee and no published rate — E&O premiums are set by the private insurer by coverage limit, and no South Carolina agency publishes them. The genuine state cost is the $25 notary commission fee for a ten-year term (S.C. Code Section 26-1-30).·Coverage is bound by the private insurer, usually immediately; there is no state application or waiting period for E&O.

   No state fee and no published rate — E&O premiums are set by the private insurer by coverage limit, and no South Carolina agency publishes them. The genuine state cost is the $25 notary commission fee for a ten-year term (S.C. Code Section 26-1-30).

   Coverage is bound by the private insurer, usually immediately; there is no state application or waiting period for E&O.

1. City of Columbia Business License (standalone notary business)

   If you run a standalone notary business in Columbia — mobile notary or notary signing agent services — you generally need a business license from the City of Columbia Business License Division. If notarization is incidental to another job (an attorney or bank employee notarizing in the course of that role), a separate business license is generally not required for the notary activity itself.

   Official government source

   Based on gross income — projected from the start-of-business date through December 31 for a new business, and on the previous year's reported gross income at renewal — using the city's rate-class schedule. All Columbia business licenses expire April 30.·Fastest through the Business Licensing Self-Service Portal; the city warns that mailed renewals can take 6–8 weeks between February and June.

   Based on gross income — projected from the start-of-business date through December 31 for a new business, and on the previous year's reported gross income at renewal — using the city's rate-class schedule. All Columbia business licenses expire April 30.

   Fastest through the Business Licensing Self-Service Portal; the city warns that mailed renewals can take 6–8 weeks between February and June.

Official Sources

• South Carolina — Notary Public Requirements
• South Carolina Secretary of State

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