What You Need to Know about Becoming a Notary Public in Tennessee:

• Tennessee is one of only a few states in the U.S. that does not require you to live in the state to be commissioned there. Tennessee also allows individuals working in the state to be commissioned as notaries public.
• Even though your application must be submitted through your county of residence or employment, your commission (upon approval) will be state-wide.
• Every application has to go to a commission meeting before being sent to the Secretary of State for approval.

There is a 2-step overall application process in Tennessee (with slight variations possible in certain counties):

1. FILE APPLICATION

• Upon filing the application, the application will be sent to a commissioner’s meeting
• Every county then sends all approved applications to the Secretary of State’s office
• The Secretary of State assigns commission dates and issues the certificates, which are sent back to the county

2. PRESENT PROOF OF BOND

• Once the certificate arrives at the County Clerk’s office, the notary bond will need to be presented
• Once the County Clerk’s office has the notary bond, an oath will be administered and the notary will be sworn in

**NOTE: You are not a legal notary until you have the certificate of commission in your possession.**

Tennessee has over 90 counties, many of which have unique variations and aspects of the application process. Some of those counties are listed below:

• Davidson: Holds commission meetings every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November)
• Shelby: Holds commission meetings twice a month
• Hamilton: Holds commission meetings twice a month
• Knox: Holds commission meetings once a month (usually at the end of the month)
• Anderson: Holds commission meetings once a month
• Rutherford: Holds commissions meetings once a month (does not always hold meetings in December); must have a driver’s license or passport.