Maryland (MD)
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Research Maryland notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Maryland notary details against the official state database.
Visit Maryland Official Notary Database
How to Research a Maryland Notary
Maryland provides a public online notary search database.
To verify a Maryland notary commission:
1. Go to https://mdsos2.my.site.com/s/search-notary-database
2. Enter the notary's name in the search field.
3. Review the results to confirm the commission status, county, and expiration date.
4. Alternatively, call the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division at (410) 974-5521.
Note: The search portal is a Salesforce-based application that requires a web browser with JavaScript enabled.
Reference: https://sos.maryland.gov/Notary/pages/default.aspx
To verify a Maryland notary commission:
1. Go to https://mdsos2.my.site.com/s/search-notary-database
2. Enter the notary's name in the search field.
3. Review the results to confirm the commission status, county, and expiration date.
4. Alternatively, call the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division at (410) 974-5521.
Note: The search portal is a Salesforce-based application that requires a web browser with JavaScript enabled.
Reference: https://sos.maryland.gov/Notary/pages/default.aspx
How to Verify a Maryland Notary's Signature
Maryland notaries take their oath of office before the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county (or Baltimore City) where they reside. The oath and signature specimen are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county shown on the notary's seal or commission.
2. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in that county and request to compare the document signature against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. The Secretary of State, Notary Division at (410) 974-5521 can confirm whether a person holds or held a valid commission.
Reference: State Government Article, Title 18
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county shown on the notary's seal or commission.
2. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in that county and request to compare the document signature against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. The Secretary of State, Notary Division at (410) 974-5521 can confirm whether a person holds or held a valid commission.
Reference: State Government Article, Title 18
Verifying Older Maryland Documents
The Maryland SOS online notary search may include both active and expired commissions.
1. Search the Maryland SOS notary database at https://mdsos2.my.site.com/s/search-notary-database -- expired records may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division at (410) 974-5521 for historical records.
3. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in the notary's county may also have oath and signature records on file.
Email: dlnotary_sos@maryland.gov
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the Maryland SOS notary database at https://mdsos2.my.site.com/s/search-notary-database -- expired records may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division at (410) 974-5521 for historical records.
3. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in the notary's county may also have oath and signature records on file.
Email: dlnotary_sos@maryland.gov
Commission term: 4 years.
Maryland Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Maryland requires notaries to use an official seal or stamp on all notarized documents. An ink stamp or embosser is acceptable; an electronic device or process is also permitted.
Seal requirements (State Government Article, ss. 18-108):
- Type: Ink stamp, embosser, or electronic device
- Must include: The notary's name and surname as commissioned, "Notary Public", the county of residence (or City of Baltimore)
- The notary must include the commission expiration date on each notarial act (may be on the seal or in the notarial certificate)
- The seal must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed
- Maryland notaries are commissioned at the county level but have statewide jurisdiction
Seal requirements (State Government Article, ss. 18-108):
- Type: Ink stamp, embosser, or electronic device
- Must include: The notary's name and surname as commissioned, "Notary Public", the county of residence (or City of Baltimore)
- The notary must include the commission expiration date on each notarial act (may be on the seal or in the notarial certificate)
- The seal must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed
- Maryland notaries are commissioned at the county level but have statewide jurisdiction
Contacting a Maryland Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Maryland — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Maryland requires each notary public to maintain a journal chronicling all notarial acts performed (Md. State Government Code § 18-219, effective October 1, 2020).
Journal requirements:
- Mandatory: Each notary must maintain a journal of all notarial acts.
- Format: The journal must be a bound, sequentially numbered record book to prevent unauthorized alterations. Digital journals are permitted if they comply with state regulations ensuring tamper-evident and secure storage.
- Required entries: Date, time, type of document notarized, full name and address of signer, and method of identity verification. Each entry must be made contemporaneously with the notarial act.
- Retention: Notaries must retain the journal for 10 years after the performance of the last notarial act contained in the journal.
Accessing notary records:
- Maryland law does not establish a general public right to inspect notary journals.
- Public records exemption: Information about notary applications and commissions is generally exempt from public disclosure under Md. Code § 4-332, except for the notary's name, address, phone numbers, commission dates, oath date, and signature.
- Law enforcement access: Journal inspection may be permitted for law enforcement during valid investigations, subject to statutory limitations.
- Subpoena/court order: Access to notary journals typically requires a court-issued subpoena or order.
Retention and security:
- Notaries must retain journals and any audio-visual recordings (for remote notarizations) in a computer or electronic storage device protected against unauthorized access by password or cryptographic process.
- Lost/stolen journals: If a journal is lost or stolen, the notary must promptly notify the Secretary of State.
Key considerations:
- Maryland adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts effective October 1, 2020.
- Audio-visual recordings for remote notarizations must be retained for at least 10 years (Md. State Government Code § 18-214(j)(3)).
- Maryland law balances notary accountability with privacy protections for notary commission information.
Contact:
- Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division — (410) 974-5520
- Email: notary@sos.maryland.gov
- Website: sos.maryland.gov/Notary
- Address: State House, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Relevant statutes: Md. State Government Code Title 18 (Notarial Acts), §§ 18-214, 18-219; Md. Code § 4-332 (public records exemption)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Maryland requires each notary public to maintain a journal chronicling all notarial acts performed (Md. State Government Code § 18-219, effective October 1, 2020).
Journal requirements:
- Mandatory: Each notary must maintain a journal of all notarial acts.
- Format: The journal must be a bound, sequentially numbered record book to prevent unauthorized alterations. Digital journals are permitted if they comply with state regulations ensuring tamper-evident and secure storage.
- Required entries: Date, time, type of document notarized, full name and address of signer, and method of identity verification. Each entry must be made contemporaneously with the notarial act.
- Retention: Notaries must retain the journal for 10 years after the performance of the last notarial act contained in the journal.
Accessing notary records:
- Maryland law does not establish a general public right to inspect notary journals.
- Public records exemption: Information about notary applications and commissions is generally exempt from public disclosure under Md. Code § 4-332, except for the notary's name, address, phone numbers, commission dates, oath date, and signature.
- Law enforcement access: Journal inspection may be permitted for law enforcement during valid investigations, subject to statutory limitations.
- Subpoena/court order: Access to notary journals typically requires a court-issued subpoena or order.
Retention and security:
- Notaries must retain journals and any audio-visual recordings (for remote notarizations) in a computer or electronic storage device protected against unauthorized access by password or cryptographic process.
- Lost/stolen journals: If a journal is lost or stolen, the notary must promptly notify the Secretary of State.
Key considerations:
- Maryland adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts effective October 1, 2020.
- Audio-visual recordings for remote notarizations must be retained for at least 10 years (Md. State Government Code § 18-214(j)(3)).
- Maryland law balances notary accountability with privacy protections for notary commission information.
Contact:
- Maryland Secretary of State, Notary Division — (410) 974-5520
- Email: notary@sos.maryland.gov
- Website: sos.maryland.gov/Notary
- Address: State House, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Relevant statutes: Md. State Government Code Title 18 (Notarial Acts), §§ 18-214, 18-219; Md. Code § 4-332 (public records exemption)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.