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The National Notary Bulletin

When do I change my married name on my Notary commission?

By NNA Staff on September 14, 2020

My Notary commission will expire in October and I've recently changed my name because I got married. Can I take care of the name change when I apply for my new commission? — A.D., Texas

Yes, you can. You may continue to notarize documents using the name on your current commission. You will be required to notify the state of your name change when you renew your Notary commission.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

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20 Comments

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Cherie Van Allen

10 Aug 2021

If I recently moved out of the county that I am commissioned in, how do I go about changing my commission to the new county?

National Notary Association

12 Aug 2021

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

RoseMary G Vizcaino

10 Aug 2021

What if my commission doesnt expire until 2024? Should i still wait to change my name for my notary

National Notary Association

13 Aug 2021

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Angela

24 Aug 2021

Hi, I got married in 2020 but my commision expires in 2023. Do i need to notify the state of NJ of my name change and pay the $30? Or can I still use my notary until it expires?

National Notary Association

10 Sep 2021

Hello. The New Jersey Notary Public Manual says the following: “Whenever a Notary Public adopts a different name, before notarizing any document, he/she must submit a change request with the State Treasurer. Change of name can be performed online.”

Jennifer

09 Nov 2021

Hi, I got married in 2020 but my commision expires in 2023. Do i need to notify the state of Illinois of my name change and pay the fee? Or can I still use my notary until it expires?

National Notary Association

09 Nov 2021

Hello. “When any notary public legally changes his or her name or moves from the county in which he or she was commissioned or, if the notary public is a resident of a state bordering Illinois, no longer maintains a principal place of work or principal place of business in the same county in Illinois in which he or she was commissioned, the commission ceases to be in effect and should be returned to the Secretary of State. These individuals who desire to again become a notary public must file a new application, bond, and oath with the Secretary of State” (5 ILCS 312/4-101).

SARAH BROWN

25 Jan 2022

I am a notary in the state of Ohio. I have had a legal name change and want to know if I need to update my notary before it expires or if I can continue to notarize "as is" until the expiration date.

National Notary Association

26 Jan 2022

Hello. Within 30 days, a name or address change must be reported to the Secretary of State’s office, using an “Application for Amendment of Notary Public Information” (ORC 147.05[B]). Notaries must use the Secretary of State’s online filing system to report changes to their commission (website, “File Notary Commission Applications and Updates”). There is a fee of $2.00 for filing a name change using the online filing system, for which the applicant will receive a revised commission with the new name. There is no fee to file a change of address or resignation of commission. Once you receive the revised commission, it must be recorded at the county clerk of the courts of common pleas office (ORC 147.05[B]).

Jae

27 Apr 2022

I am in the state of California and I just got married and changed my name. Do I need to change my notary stamp and information now, or can I wait until my commission expires?

National Notary Association

18 May 2022

If a California Notary changes his or her name, a Notary Public Name Change form must be filed with the Secretary of State. Willful failure to do so may result in a fine of up to $500 (GC 8213.6). After receiving the completed form, the Secretary will issue an amended commission in the Notary’s new name. Within 30 days after issuance of the amended commission, the Notary must file a new oath of office and a bond amendment with the clerk of the county in which the Notary’s principal place of business is located. Within 30 days after the filing, the Notary must obtain a seal with the new name (GC 8213[c]).

Christel

20 May 2022

I leave in Texas. I have changed my name after marriage. I understand in my state you can continue to notarize under your current commission. However my question is, when marketing your services do you use maiden last name as in your commission or can you use new last name on marketing materials?

National Notary Association

01 Jun 2022

Hello. We're sorry but Texas does not address this question in its laws regarding Notary advertising.

Danielle C.

17 Jun 2022

I renew my commission in July and I will be getting my updated stamps but I am getting married in August - should I continue using my maiden name and just update in a few years when I have renewal again? (Located in California)

National Notary Association

24 Jun 2022

Hello. In California, if a Notary changes his or her name, a Notary Public Name Change form must be filed with the Secretary of State. Willful failure to do so may result in a fine of up to $500 (GC 8213.6). After receiving the completed form, the Secretary will issue an amended commission in the Notary’s new name. Within 30 days after issuance of the amended commission, the Notary must file a new oath of office and a bond amendment with the clerk of the county in which the Notary’s principal place of business is located. Within 30 days after the filing, the Notary must obtain a seal with the new name (GC 8213[c]).

chantel.pennetta@gmail.com

18 Jul 2022

I live in Washington State and recently got married and changed my last name. How do I order an amended bond? Thank you.

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2022

Hello. You would need to contact the bonding company to request a bond rider amending the bond. If you obtained your bond through the NNA, please call 1-855-215-2160 to request assistance.

abby.roderick588@gmail.com

04 Aug 2022

I live in Wisconsin and my commission does not expire until 2025. I am getting married in 2023 and my last name will change. What are the steps I need to do after my legal name changes to continue doing notary stamps at my current job?

National Notary Association

10 Aug 2022

Hello. A Wisconsin Notary with a new legal name must submit a change of name form (available on the website) to the Department of Financial Institutions prior to using the new name as a Notary. “If you change your name for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you purchase a new seal or rubber stamp stating your new name (and the words ‘State of Wisconsin’ and ‘Notary Public’). Obtain an Address/Name/Seal Change form from the WDFI…. You are required to complete and submit the Address/Name/Seal change form to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions PRIOR to using your new name and seal for notary purposes” (state Notary Public Information brochure). “For the remainder of your present commission, however, it is permissible to continue to perform notarial acts using a previous name so long as you continue to sign your name as stated on your seal or rubber stamp. Do not sign under under a new or different name if it does not match the name on your seal or stamp. For notarization purposes, your signature must always exactly match the name indicated on your official notary seal or stamp” (state Notary Public Information brochure).

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