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Notary Renewal Information

• When? A notary public in Maryland is commissioned for four years. Approximately two months before your commission expires, a form to renew your commission as a notary public is sent to the address on file with the Notary Division. If you have moved since you were last commissioned, you should notify the Division of your new address by completing the name and/or address change form and fax it to 410-974-5527.
• How? If you did not receive a form to renew your commission, you can complete the renewal form and send it with a $20.00 non-refundable processing fee to the Notary Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401. Checks or money orders must be made payable to the Secretary of State, and cash is not accepted. Please do not staple your fee to the notary public application.
• Circuit Court: After reviewing your renewal application and accepting the processing fee, the Notary Division will issue you a commission and forward it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county in which you reside or, for non-Maryland residents, the county in which you selected to be commissioned. The Notary Division will send a postcard stating that you have been commissioned as a notary public and instruct you to go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court to take the oath of office. At the Clerk of the Circuit Court, you will pay a separate fee of $11.00 to the Clerk.
• No postcard? You must be commissioned at the Clerk's Office within 30 days of being notified. If you are not commissioned within the 30 day period, your commission is revoked. If you do not receive a postcard within 2 weeks of submitting your renewal application, please contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county of residence or, for non-Maryland residents, the county in which you selected to be commissioned to determine if your commission is at the Clerk's Office.