Pennsylvania notary surety bond

A Pennsylvania notary surety bond is a promise, backed by a surety company, that helps pay a person who is harmed by a mistake or by misconduct of a notary. The bond is for the public. It is not for the notary. If the surety pays a claim, the notary usually has to pay the surety back.

Pennsylvania notary bond at a glance

Bond amount

$25,000

Commission term

Four years

Commissioned by

Pennsylvania Department of State (Secretary of the Commonwealth)

Where the bond goes

Recorded with the recorder of deeds in the county where the notary maintains an office, within 45 days of appointment

What Pennsylvania requires

1. Receive your appointment from the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
2. Obtain a $25,000 bond from an insurance company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania.
3. Record the bond, oath of office, and commission with the county recorder of deeds within 45 days of appointment.

The 45-day recording deadline is a hard cutoff. If it is missed, the commission becomes void and the notary has to reapply to the Department of State and obtain a new bond.

A notary bond does not replace notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The bond pays the public. E&O protects you.

State rules change. Always check with the Pennsylvania commissioning authority for the current requirements before you apply. Details on this page were last checked on 2026-08-13.

Tell us a little about yourself and we will point you to the right option for your state.

A notary bond protects the public. E&O insurance is intended to protect you, the notary, against a claim that comes from an error, a mistake or alleged misconduct in your notarial work. Many Pennsylvania notaries add an E&O policy next to the bond.