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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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10 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]).

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