Become a notary

Tennessee Secretary of State

Become a notary in Tennessee

Notaries in Tennessee are commissioned by the Tennessee Secretary of State. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. Look up a commission with tnbear / TNCaB. The SOS notes that a search result is not proof of qualification.

Official Tennessee registerRegister on StampSide

Where to register

Applications go to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.

Requirements

What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.

Where you apply
Obtain the application from your County Clerk.
Election
Be elected by the county legislative body (county commission) in the county where you reside or keep your principal place of business.
Bond
Secure a surety bond through a Tennessee insurance company or agency that sells surety coverage, and give proof to the County Clerk.

How to get started

  1. Get the application from the County Clerk and pay their fee

    The SOS how-to page does not list the clerk’s dollar amount.

  2. Be elected, then file the bond

    The clerk sends documents to the state. The SOS issues the commission and returns it to the clerk for pickup.

  3. Obtain your notary seal

    The SOS lists that as the last step after the commission is at the clerk’s office.

  4. Register on StampSide

    After you use the Tennessee Secretary of State site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the Tennessee directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.

Tools after you apply

Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.

  • Bond or E&O

    Tennessee requires a surety bond from a Tennessee insurer before the SOS issues the commission. Amount is not on the how-to page.

    National Notary Association

  • Stamp or seal

    Obtain the seal after you pick up the commission from the County Clerk.

    Named suppliers on StampSide

  • More suppliers

    Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.

    StampSide supplies list

More official pages

Register, then getting started

StampSide does not commission you — the Tennessee Secretary of State does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.

RegisterCreate your page

After you are commissioned

Appear in the Tennessee directory. Closers and the public still confirm standing on the official site.

Create your pageTennessee listingsTennessee hub

Other jurisdictions: all state guides · quiz · Train your eye.