Notary Public Guide
Maine Notary Public Guide 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Maine Notary Public commission — from eligibility and the application-embedded open-book exam to oath-taking and your 7-year commission. This guide covers requirements, fees, seal rules, Remote Online Notarization, and how to prepare for success. Ready to start practicing? Try FREE practice questions from our Maine sample tests.
Role of a Notary Public
A Maine Notary Public is a public official appointed by the Maine Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness in performing official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. Maine notaries operate under the Maine Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (Title 4, Chapter 21) which was substantially modernized in 2017 and again updated through 2022.
This is a statewide commission. Once appointed, you can perform notarial acts anywhere in Maine. Your primary duties include verifying the identity of signers, ensuring they sign of their own free will, and witnessing the execution of documents such as real estate deeds, powers of attorney, wills, and affidavits.
Maine stands out from most states in two key ways: its commission lasts 7 years — the longest term of any state in the nation — and the required knowledge exam is embedded directly in the application form (an open-book, corrective-feedback exam), rather than a separate proctored test. This guide walks through every step in detail.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Maine Notary Public commission, you must meet all of the following statutory requirements at the time of application:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Residency or Employment: You must be either a legal resident of Maine, OR have your principal place of business or employment in Maine. Non-residents who work in Maine may qualify.
Language: You must be able to read and write the English language.
Criminal History: You must not have been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a disqualifying offense. Crimes involving dishonesty or a sentence of one year or more are disqualifying for 10 years after release or conviction.
Prior Commission: If you held a notary commission in another state that was suspended or revoked for official misconduct within the 5 years preceding your application, you are not eligible.
There is no U.S. citizenship requirement, but you must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to perform your duties effectively. There is no mandatory pre-application education course — instead, knowledge is tested through the application exam itself.
Application Process
Maine's process is notably streamlined compared to states with proctored exams and mandatory education courses. Here is the step-by-step path:
Step 1 — Complete the Application & Exam
Download the official Application for Notary Public Commission from the Maine Secretary of State's website. The application form itself contains the required knowledge examination — an open-book, category-by-category test based on the Maine Notary Public Course of Study. If you answer a question incorrectly, you must correct it before proceeding to the next category. You may use the Course of Study document and any reference materials while answering.
Step 2 — Submit Application & Fee
Mail the completed application to the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, with a $50 filing fee payable by check to "Treasurer, State of Maine" or by credit/debit card via a payment voucher. Processing typically takes approximately 10–15 business days.
Step 3 — Receive Your Certificate of Appointment
If your application is approved, the Secretary of State will mail you a Certificate of Appointment. This is not your final commission — you must still take your oath.
Step 4 — Take the Oath Before a Dedimus Justice
Within 30 calendar days of the date on your Certificate of Appointment, you must appear before a Dedimus Justice (a type of commissioner authorized to administer oaths) to take your oath of office. Dedimus Justices are listed on the Secretary of State's website and are found throughout Maine.
Step 5 — Return Your Completed Certificate
After taking the oath, return your completed and signed Certificate of Qualification to the Secretary of State within 45 calendar days from your date of appointment. Once processed, your commission is active and you may begin performing notarial acts.
⚠️ Strict Deadlines After Appointment
The 30-day oath deadline and the 45-day certificate return deadline are strictly enforced. Missing either deadline will void your appointment and require you to restart the full application process, including paying the $50 fee again.
There is no surety bond requirement in Maine and no fingerprinting or background check administered by the state at the time of application (though your criminal history is self-reported and subject to verification).
Application Fees
Maine's notary application fee is straightforward:
Application & Processing Fee: $50
This covers the full cost of application review and commission issuance. Pay by check payable to "Treasurer, State of Maine" or by credit/debit card using the state's payment voucher. No separate exam fee is charged.
No Surety Bond Required
Unlike many states, Maine does not require a surety bond as part of the commissioning process.
Notary Seal: ~$20–$40
While not strictly required by statute if the notarial certificate contains all required information, a rubber ink stamp seal is standard practice and strongly recommended. Costs vary by vendor.
Total cost to become a Maine Notary Public is among the lowest in the country — typically $70–$100 inclusive of the application fee and a seal.
Notary Seal Requirements
Maine law does not mandate the use of a rubber stamp seal for traditional paper notarizations — provided that all required information appears on the notarial certificate. However, using an official seal is standard industry practice and is strongly recommended by the Secretary of State to avoid disputes over the validity of notarial acts.
Required Elements on Certificate/Seal: The notary's name, the word "Maine" (or "State of Maine"), the words "Notary Public," and the commission expiration date.
Format: If a seal is used, a rubber ink stamp producing a legible, reproducible impression is standard. Maine does not mandate a specific shape (round vs. rectangular).
Electronic Notarizations: For RON and electronic notarizations, an electronic seal and digital signature are required. These must comply with the approved RON technology provider's specifications.
Security: Keep your seal secure. If your seal is lost or stolen, notify the Secretary of State promptly. A notary's seal used by an unauthorized person can result in the commission being revoked.
Journal Requirements
Maine's journal requirements depend on the type of notarization performed:
Traditional (Paper) Notarizations
A journal is not legally required for standard in-person, paper notarizations. However, the Secretary of State and the National Notary Association strongly recommend maintaining one for liability protection and record-keeping.
Electronic & Remote Online Notarizations (RON)
A journal (or equivalent electronic record) is required for all remote online notarizations. The record must include the date and time of the notarial act, the type of act performed, the name and address of the principal, the method used to identify the principal, and any fee charged.
Even when not required, maintaining a consistent journal for all notarial acts is best practice. If you are ever questioned about a notarization, a journal entry provides contemporaneous evidence of your due diligence.
Notarial Acts
Maine notaries are authorized to perform the following notarial acts under Title 4, Chapter 21 of the Maine Revised Statutes:
Acknowledgments: The signer appears before the notary and acknowledges that they signed the document voluntarily. This is the most common notarial act, used for real estate deeds and powers of attorney.
Oaths and Affirmations: Administering a sworn or unsworn promise to tell the truth. Used for affidavits, depositions, and sworn statements.
Jurats (Verifications on Oath/Affirmation): The signer swears or affirms under oath that the content of a document is true, and signs the document in the notary's presence.
Copy Certifications: Certifying that a photocopy of an original document is a true and correct reproduction. Maine does not allow copy certification of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) — those are handled by the issuing agency.
Signature Witnessing: Witnessing or attesting the signing of a document, confirming the signer's identity.
Identification of Principals: Maine law requires notaries to verify identity through personal knowledge, a credible witness who personally knows the principal, or an acceptable government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID).
What Maine Notaries Cannot Do: You may not provide legal advice, prepare legal documents (unless you are also a licensed attorney), certify vital records, notarize documents where you have a financial interest in the transaction, or notarize a document where you are named as a party.
Fees You Can Charge
Maine does not set a maximum fee schedule for most notarial acts. Notaries in Maine are free to set their own fees for traditional notarizations, with one important rule:
Fee Disclosure Requirement
Any fee charged must be disclosed in writing to the person requesting the notarial act before performing the act. This protects consumers from surprise charges.
Noting Dishonored Instruments
The only statutorily capped fee in Maine is for "noting" a dishonored instrument (e.g., a bounced check): the maximum is $1.25.
RON Fees
For remote online notarizations, you may charge your standard fee plus the cost of the communications technology used. Many RON platforms pass technology costs directly to the notary, who may pass them on to the customer.
No Fee Situations
You may choose to provide notarial services for free. Some employers provide notary services as a free benefit to customers and employees.
Market rates in Maine typically range from $5–$15 per notarial act for standard acknowledgments and jurats, with higher fees for mobile/travel services and loan signings. Notary Signing Agents facilitating real estate closings often charge $75–$150+ per signing appointment.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Maine authorizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) under its updated notarial acts statutes. Maine notaries may notarize electronic documents for signers who appear remotely via live audio-visual technology.
Prerequisites for RON
To perform RON, you must: (1) hold an active Maine Notary Public commission, (2) register with the Maine Secretary of State for RON authorization, and (3) use an approved RON technology provider. Registration is separate from your standard commission application.
Identity Verification
For RON, the notary must use credential analysis (automated review of a government-issued ID) and identity proofing (knowledge-based authentication or biometric comparison) to verify the remote signer's identity, as required by Maine law.
Record-Keeping
A recording of the audio-visual session must be retained for a minimum of 10 years following the notarial act, along with the required journal entry (see Journal Requirements section).
Out-of-State Signers
A Maine notary performing RON can notarize documents for signers located anywhere in the United States (and in some cases, internationally), provided the notary is physically located in Maine at the time of the notarization.
Approved RON technology platforms include services like Notarize, DocuSign Notary, and others listed on the Maine Secretary of State's website. Confirm the current approved provider list at maine.gov/sos before selecting a platform.
Renewing Your Commission
A Maine Notary Public commission is valid for 7 years — the longest commission term of any state in the nation. To renew, you must follow the same process as an initial application:
Application & Exam: Complete a new application form (which again contains the open-book knowledge exam) and submit it to the Secretary of State.
Fee: Pay the $50 application/processing fee again.
Oath: Take a new oath before a Dedimus Justice within 30 calendar days of your new Certificate of Appointment.
Certificate Return: Return the completed Certificate of Qualification within 45 calendar days of appointment.
Timing: You may apply to renew your commission before it expires — your new commission will begin on the day after your current one ends. This allows for seamless continuation of service. It is advisable to begin the renewal process at least 60–90 days before your commission expires.
There is no reduced exam or abbreviated process for renewals. Every renewal requires the full application, exam, fee, oath, and certificate return — just as if you were applying for the first time.
Study Strategy
Maine's open-book application exam is designed so that a candidate who has studied the law can complete it correctly. Because incorrect answers must be corrected before proceeding, you cannot simply guess your way through. A structured approach will save you time and reduce frustration:
1. Read the Course of Study
Download the official Maine Notary Public Course of Study from maine.gov/sos. This document is the primary source for all exam questions and covers the laws, procedures, and ethics for Maine notaries.
2. Study the Statutes
Review Title 4, Chapter 21 of the Maine Revised Statutes (the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts). Pay particular attention to definitions, prohibited acts, and requirements for each type of notarial act.
3. Learn the Deadlines
Memorize the critical timeframes: 30-day oath deadline, 45-day certificate return, 10-year RON recording retention. These are commonly tested and operationally critical.
4. Practice Sample Tests
Use our practice questions to get familiar with the types of scenarios and legal interpretations the application exam covers. Build confidence before sitting down with the actual form.
Because the application exam is open-book, time pressure is not the main challenge. The challenge is understanding the material well enough to find the correct answer efficiently. Most candidates who study the Course of Study for 4–8 hours find the application exam straightforward.
Practice Tests
Even though Maine's exam is open-book, practicing with simulated questions is the best way to internalize the law and avoid spending excessive time flipping through reference materials during the actual application. Familiarity with the material makes the application process much faster and smoother.
Our Maine Notary Practice Exams: You can take unlimited practice exams right here on our site. Our questions are updated for the 2026 Maine notary laws and cover all major topics: acknowledgments, jurats, identity verification, prohibited acts, RON requirements, and commission administration.
A good benchmark: if you can consistently score 85% or higher on our practice tests without referring to any materials, you will have no trouble navigating the open-book application exam quickly and confidently.
Quick Reference
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Residency | ME resident OR principal place of business/employment in ME |
| Pre-application education | None required (study recommended) |
| Exam format | Open-book, embedded in application form |
| Application fee | $50 (check or credit/debit card) |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Background check | Self-reported criminal history (no Live Scan) |
| Oath deadline | 30 days from date of appointment |
| Certificate return deadline | 45 days from date of appointment |
| Commission term | 7 years (longest in the nation) |
| Seal required | Not mandatory; strongly recommended |
| Seal contents | Name, Notary Public, Maine, expiration date |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Not required (recommended) |
| Journal (RON) | Required |
| RON recording retention | 10 years |
| Max fee per act | No cap; must disclose in writing before act |
| Noted dishonored instrument fee | Max $1.25 |
| RON authorized | Yes (registration with SOS required) |
| Primary Agency | Maine Secretary of State |
| SOS Phone | (207) 624-7752 |