Maine has the longest commission term in New England — 7 years. It requires an exam (embedded, advance-only format) and a recommendation from a registered Maine voter, but no bond. Maine adopted RULONA effective July 2023, and notaries can solemnize marriages.
Under Maine's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (effective July 1, 2023), the requirements are:
Maine has one of the lowest total notary costs in the country — no bond required, and the $50 filing fee is the main expense.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State filing fee | Required | $50 |
| Notary exam | Required | Free (part of application) |
| Notary stamp/seal | Permitted but not required (recommended) | $15–$35 |
| Notary journal | Required for electronic/remote acts | $10–$25 |
| Surety bond | Not required | $0 |
| Education course | Not required | $0 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $60–$110 |
Maine has a unique step: after the SOS approves your application, you must take your Oath of Office before a Dedimus Justice (a special officer authorized to administer oaths) within 30 days, then return the signed certificate to the SOS within 45 days of appointment. Free study materials for the exam are available upon request from the Secretary of State.
Maine's application is paper-based, and the oath step uses a Dedimus Justice.
Get the "Application for a Notary Public Commission" from the Maine Secretary of State website at maine.gov/sos.
A registered Maine voter must recommend you, attesting to your ability to perform notary duties. This person vouches for your character and competence.
The exam is part of the application process and covers Maine notary law, procedures, and ethics. It uses an advance-only format — an incorrect answer prevents you from moving to the next category until you answer correctly. Free study materials are available from the SOS upon request.
Mail or hand-deliver the completed application and $50 fee to: Office of the Secretary of State (Notary Public), Division of Corporations, UCC & Commissions, Ballard Center 5th Floor, 6 E. Chestnut Street, Augusta, ME 04330. Processing takes ~10-15 business days.
After the SOS issues your Certificate of Qualification, take the official Oath of Office before a Dedimus Justice (a special officer authorized to administer oaths) within 30 calendar days of appointment.
Return the completed certificate of qualification to the Secretary of State within 45 calendar days of your appointment date. The SOS then finalizes your commission. No county recording is needed.
Maine notaries can perform these acts statewide under Maine's RULONA:
Maine allows notary-set fees — no statutory hard caps:
Portland is the dominant market, with Bangor, Lewiston-Auburn, and Augusta as secondary markets. Maine's wedding-officiation authority is a meaningful opportunity — Maine is a popular destination wedding location (coastal venues, fall foliage season), and notary-officiants can earn substantial supplementary income, especially in the Portland and midcoast areas.
Maine authorized electronic and remote notarization under permanent rules effective October 2, 2023 (alongside its RULONA adoption):
Your Maine commission is valid for 7 years — the longest in New England. (New Hampshire residents employed in Maine get a 4-year term.)
Renew via the online "Total Notary Solution" portal. You can renew up to 45 days before expiration, with a 90-day grace period after expiration (though you can't notarize during a lapse). Renewing notaries must retake the online exam. Pay the $50 renewal fee, then appear before a Dedimus Justice again for the oath. If lapsed more than 90 days, you must reapply as new.
A Dedimus Justice is a special officer in Maine authorized to administer oaths of office. After the Secretary of State approves your notary application, you must appear before a Dedimus Justice to take your Oath of Office. It's a Maine-specific term — most states have you take the oath before a notary, town clerk, or court official. The SOS can help you locate a Dedimus Justice.
Yes. Maine notaries can solemnize marriages — perform wedding ceremonies. This is a significant income opportunity, especially since Maine is a popular destination wedding location (coastal venues, lighthouses, fall foliage). Notary-officiants can charge $100-$400+ per ceremony.
Maine's commission term is 7 years — the longest in New England and one of the longer terms nationally. This means infrequent renewals, a real advantage. Note: if you're a New Hampshire resident commissioned in Maine through employment, your term is only 4 years.
Correct. Maine does not require a surety bond for notaries. A few outdated sources incorrectly list a $5,000 bond, but the Maine Secretary of State and the major notary associations confirm no bond is required. E&O insurance is still recommended for personal liability protection.
Yes. Your commission is statewide. You can notarize anywhere in Maine.
Any registered Maine voter who can attest to your ability to perform notary duties. This is a character/competence recommendation step. The person doesn't need any special qualification beyond being a registered Maine voter — a neighbor, friend, or colleague who's a registered voter works.
Maine's 7-year term (longest in New England), no-bond structure, and wedding-officiation authority make it an attractive state. Portland and the midcoast have strong markets, especially for destination-wedding officiating. We're recruiting founding-cohort Maine notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
Apply to Smoothquill →Founding cohort · 10 spots · $10 flat platform fee for life