Update for May 13, 2026: The Pennsylvania Department of State announced additional changes to state Notary rules in April 2026. We have summarized these new changes below. — The Editors
Pennsylvania Notaries have been operating under modernized Notary laws since major reforms were enacted in the 2013 the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. Now, as of March 28, 2026, new regulations have taken effect — bringing important changes that both new and experienced Notaries need to understand.
The Pennsylvania Department of State recently issued a statewide notice (April 30, 2026) of new rules Notaries must follow. Here’s a clear breakdown of many of the important new regulations.
2026 Pennsylvania Notary bond increase
One of the most significant updates is the increase in the required Pennsylvania Notary bond:
- The bond amount has increased from $10,000 to $25,000
- This applies to new and renewing Notary appointees on or after March 28, 2026
- Notaries with commissions in effect on or before March 28, 2026, are not required to obtain the higher $25,000 bond until they obtain a new commission
- This change is intended to provide greater financial protection for the public, particularly with the higher incidents of deed fraud sweeping Pennsylvania
New 2026 Pennsylvania Notary stamp requirements
Pennsylvania has introduced an updated format for official Notary stamps:
- Stamps must now include the Notary’s 7-digit commission number
- Stamps may only contain abbreviations for specified name suffixes
- Stamps conforming to the new regulations are required for all Notaries commissioned after March 28, 2026
- Notaries with commissions in effect on or before March 28, 2026, may continue using their current stamp until their term ends
- Notaries reappointed after this date must ensure their new stamp meets all updated specifications
2026 Pennsylvania Notary journal rules: Privacy and access
While the core journal entry requirements remain largely unchanged, there are important updates:
Strict limits on personal data in Notary journal entries:
- Do NOT record full Social Security or driver’s license numbers in the journal entry (recording terminal numbers (last four digits of a driver’s license or passport) is acceptable)
- Do NOT record dates or places of birth in the journal entry
- DO NOT record a signer’s mother’s maiden name in the journal entry
- DO NOT record biometric records in the journal entry
- DO NOT record any personally identifiable information that can be linked to an individual, such as medical, educational, financial, or employment information
Signers now have the right to:
- Request inspection of a journal entry either orally or in writing (the inspection must take place in the Notary’s presence)
- Request certified copies of journal entries (the request must specify the entry or time period)
- Notaries must fulfill requests for certified copies of journal entries within 15 days
- These updates reinforce privacy protections while maintaining transparency.
New and updated Pennsylvania Notary fees
The 2026 rules related to charging fees include:
- Notaries may charge up to $20 per act for electronic or remote notarizations in addition to the maximum fee for the notarial act
- Notaries are now required to provide itemized receipts for all services
Expanded list of acceptable identification for Pennsylvania Notaries
The new rules provide a lengthy list of IDs that meet the statutory requirements:
- Military IDs
- Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate IDs (for inmates currently in custody of the Department of Corrections)
- IDs issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Social Security cards
- Pennsylvania university or State-related university IDs
- Pennsylvania medical marijuana identification cards
- Consular IDs (if they contain letters, characters, and a language the Notary reads, writes and understands)
- Electronic U.S. or foreign passports, driver’s licenses or nondriver IDs issued by a state of the U.S. or a foreign government (foreign passports, driver’s licenses, and nondriver IDs must contain letters, characters, and a language the Notary reads, writes, and understands)
Notaries must still ensure the ID is valid, current, and reasonably reliable.
Language and interpreter requirements for notarization in Pennsylvania
The following updated rules clarify how Notaries handle language barriers and documents:
- The Notary must communicate directly with the signer or indirectly through a qualified interpreter who can communicate directly with the individual for whom the notarial act is performed and the Notary at the time of notarization
- The Notary may notarize a record that is a translation of a record in a foreign language, provided the translator makes a verification on oath or affirmation that the translation is accurate and complete and the verification is attached to the record being notarized
- The notarial certificate must be worded and completed using the English language, but a Notary may complete a certificate in another language the Notary reads, writes, and understands as long as it is immediately adjacent to the required English-language certificate
This ensures the Notary fully understands and can truthfully certify the notarial act being performed.
Mandatory Pennsylvania Notary reporting requirements (Within 30 days)
Notaries must report certain changes to the state within 30 days, including:
- Updates to contact information (name, office and home address and phone number, and email address)
- Use of technology providers (for in-person electronic or remote online notarizations)
- Specified legal or disciplinary actions against the Notary
Failure to report can lead to commission denial, revocation, or suspension, or other disciplinary actions.
Certified copies: What’s allowed in Pennsylvania
The updated rules clarify the types of documents Notaries can and cannot certify as true and accurate copies.
Not allowed:
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Naturalization certificates
- Government-issued records that state “do not copy,” “illegal to copy,” or similar words
Allowed:
- Passports
- Transcripts
- Driver’s licenses
- Diplomas
- Contracts
- Leases
- Bills of sale
- Medical records, consents and waivers
- Powers of attorney
- Public records
Notaries must carefully verify whether a document is eligible for a copy certification before proceeding.
Disciplinary risks: What can get Pennsylvania Notaries in trouble
The 2026 rules contain a lengthy list of acts or omissions that can result in disciplinary action against Notaries. Common violations include:
- Notarizing your own signature or a spouse’s signature where there is a financial interest
- Pre-dating or post-dating notarizations
- Improperly altering documents or journal entries
- Mishandling customer identification or documents
- Engaging in the unauthorized practice of any regulated profession, including the practice of law
- Certain notarial protest practices, as specified
These violations can result in commission suspension or revocation, or other penalties.
Final thoughts on 2026 Pennsylvania regulations
While Pennsylvania’s 2013 enactment of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts thoroughly revised Pennsylvania’s Notary statutes, the highly anticipated 2026 regulations to implement the RULONA strengthen those rules — especially around consumer protection, transparency, and evolving technologies like remote notarization.
If you’re a Pennsylvania Notary, now is the time to:
- Review your bond and commission status
- Update your stamp (if renewing)
- Ensure your journal practices meet privacy standards
- Adjust your fees and receipts
- Stay compliant with reporting requirements
Staying informed isn’t optional — it’s essential to protecting your commission and serving the public correctly. For more information, see the Department of State’s 2026 Pennsylvania Notary changes page, or NNA members can contact the Notary Hotline if you have questions.
David Thun is the Editorial Manager with the National Notary Association.
Related Articles:
Notary Basics: Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law
FAQ: Pennsylvania's new Notary procedures
Additional Resources:
Notary Law Update: PA House Bill 25 (RULONA)