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Notary Commission Certificate

How do I find out what my commission number is?

Some states assign their notaries public an official commission number that may be reflected on the notary commission or license. However, some states do not assign their notaries public with an official commission number, and the numbers reflected on the commission may simply be for administrative recordkeeping purposes by the state’s commissioning agency. Contact your state’s commissioning authority for further information because some documents actually require the notary’s commission number on the notarial certificate.

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Is a commission number and membership number the same?

No. The commission number is assigned to every notary public at the time of appointment in many states, and it is reflected on the notary commission. A membership number is the number assigned to members of notary organizations. These notary organizations are private entities and are not affiliated with the state’s commissioning authority.

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I have not received my notary public certificate. How do I find out what my commission number is?

Please contact the state’s commissioning authority to obtain this information if there is in fact an official commission number assigned to your office as notary public. Some states may not issue a commission number to their notaries.

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I lost my notary certificate. Where can I get a duplicate of my commission?

Contact your state’s commissioning authority. You may be required to complete a request for a duplicate commission on a form prescribed by that office. There may also be a filing fee associated with obtaining a duplicate of a notary commission.

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Do I need to display my notary public commission where I work?

The notary statutes in some states mandate that their notaries public post their notary commission at all times in a conspicuous place in their places of employment or respective offices. Contact your state’s commissioning authority to inquire if there is a mandatory requirement to post your notary commission for the sake of the general public.

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Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions.