Pennsylvania (PA)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Pennsylvania notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Pennsylvania notary details against the official state database.
Visit Pennsylvania Official Notary Database
How to Research a Pennsylvania Notary
1. Go to https://www.notaries.pa.gov/pages/notarysearch.aspx
2. Enter the notary's first and last name and click 'Find By Name', or enter the 7-digit Commission ID and click 'Find By Commission ID'.
3. Review the results for matching name, commission ID, status, and county.
4. The search supports partial first names (e.g. 'Al' matches 'Alan' and 'Allen').
Contact: PA Department of State -- (717) 787-5280
2. Enter the notary's first and last name and click 'Find By Name', or enter the 7-digit Commission ID and click 'Find By Commission ID'.
3. Review the results for matching name, commission ID, status, and county.
4. The search supports partial first names (e.g. 'Al' matches 'Alan' and 'Allen').
Contact: PA Department of State -- (717) 787-5280
How to Verify a Pennsylvania Notary's Signature
Pennsylvania notaries file their oath of office and bond with the recorder of deeds in the county where they maintain their office.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the recorder of deeds in the county listed on the notary's commission (the county appears on the notarial certificate and seal).
2. The recorder of deeds maintains the notary's commission record, oath, and signature specimen.
3. You may also contact the PA Department of State at (717) 787-5280 to confirm commission status.
Reference: 57 Pa.C.S. ch. 3 (RULONA)
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the recorder of deeds in the county listed on the notary's commission (the county appears on the notarial certificate and seal).
2. The recorder of deeds maintains the notary's commission record, oath, and signature specimen.
3. You may also contact the PA Department of State at (717) 787-5280 to confirm commission status.
Reference: 57 Pa.C.S. ch. 3 (RULONA)
Verifying Older Pennsylvania Documents
The PA Department of State online notary search may include both current and expired commissions.
1. Search the notary database -- expired commission data may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the PA Department of State at (717) 787-5280 for historical records.
3. You may also contact the recorder of deeds in the county where the notary was commissioned.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the notary database -- expired commission data may still appear.
2. If not found online, contact the PA Department of State at (717) 787-5280 for historical records.
3. You may also contact the recorder of deeds in the county where the notary was commissioned.
Commission term: 4 years.
Pennsylvania Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Pennsylvania requires every notary to use an official rubber stamp seal on all notarized documents. An embosser alone is not sufficient but may be used in addition to the stamp.
Seal requirements (57 Pa.C.S. s. 305):
- Type: Rubber stamp (required); embosser (optional, supplemental)
- Maximum size: 1 inch high by 3.5 inches wide, with a plain border
- Must include: 'Commonwealth of Pennsylvania', 'Notary Seal', the notary's name as commissioned followed by 'Notary Public', the county of office, commission expiration date, and the 7-digit commission identification number
- Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned in a specific county but may perform notarial acts anywhere in the Commonwealth
Seal requirements (57 Pa.C.S. s. 305):
- Type: Rubber stamp (required); embosser (optional, supplemental)
- Maximum size: 1 inch high by 3.5 inches wide, with a plain border
- Must include: 'Commonwealth of Pennsylvania', 'Notary Seal', the notary's name as commissioned followed by 'Notary Public', the county of office, commission expiration date, and the 7-digit commission identification number
- Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned in a specific county but may perform notarial acts anywhere in the Commonwealth
Contacting a Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Pennsylvania requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed (57 Pa.C.S. § 319). Pennsylvania law provides for public inspection of notary journals and requires notaries to provide certified copies of journal entries upon request.
Journal requirement:
- Notaries must maintain a journal (tangible or electronic format) recording all notarial acts in chronological order.
- Entries must be made contemporaneously with the notarial act and include: date and time of the act, type of notarial act, description of the document, name and address of each person for whom the act is performed, method of identification and description of identification credential (including issuance and expiration dates), and signature of each person (57 Pa.C.S. § 319).
- Journals may not contain Social Security numbers, full driver's license numbers, dates/places of birth, mother's maiden names, or biometric records.
Right to inspect:
- Any person may inspect the journal by presenting an oral or written request.
- Inspection must occur in the presence of the notary public.
- The notary must permit inspection of the journal to any person requesting to view it.
Certified copies:
- Any person may request a certified copy of the journal by presenting an oral or written request specifying the particular entry or time period sought.
- The notary must provide the certified copy within 15 days of receiving the request.
- The statute does not specify a fee for certified copies; fees may vary by notary.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date, time, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, method of identification, identification credential details (issuance and expiration dates)
- Signature of the signer as recorded in the journal
- Thumbprints: Pennsylvania does not require thumbprints for notarial acts.
Key considerations:
- Pennsylvania provides relatively broad public access to notary journals compared to many states.
- If the notary refuses a lawful inspection or certified copy request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- Upon commission expiration (without renewal), resignation, revocation, death, or incompetency, the journal must be delivered within 30 days to the office of the recorder of deeds in the county where the notary last maintained an office (57 Pa.C.S. § 319).
- Retention period: 10 years from the date of the last entry, then delivered to the county recorder of deeds.
- Contact: Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Notaries — (717) 787-5280
Relevant statutes: 57 Pa.C.S. § 319
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.
Pennsylvania requires notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed (57 Pa.C.S. § 319). Pennsylvania law provides for public inspection of notary journals and requires notaries to provide certified copies of journal entries upon request.
Journal requirement:
- Notaries must maintain a journal (tangible or electronic format) recording all notarial acts in chronological order.
- Entries must be made contemporaneously with the notarial act and include: date and time of the act, type of notarial act, description of the document, name and address of each person for whom the act is performed, method of identification and description of identification credential (including issuance and expiration dates), and signature of each person (57 Pa.C.S. § 319).
- Journals may not contain Social Security numbers, full driver's license numbers, dates/places of birth, mother's maiden names, or biometric records.
Right to inspect:
- Any person may inspect the journal by presenting an oral or written request.
- Inspection must occur in the presence of the notary public.
- The notary must permit inspection of the journal to any person requesting to view it.
Certified copies:
- Any person may request a certified copy of the journal by presenting an oral or written request specifying the particular entry or time period sought.
- The notary must provide the certified copy within 15 days of receiving the request.
- The statute does not specify a fee for certified copies; fees may vary by notary.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date, time, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, method of identification, identification credential details (issuance and expiration dates)
- Signature of the signer as recorded in the journal
- Thumbprints: Pennsylvania does not require thumbprints for notarial acts.
Key considerations:
- Pennsylvania provides relatively broad public access to notary journals compared to many states.
- If the notary refuses a lawful inspection or certified copy request, a court order or subpoena can compel production.
- Upon commission expiration (without renewal), resignation, revocation, death, or incompetency, the journal must be delivered within 30 days to the office of the recorder of deeds in the county where the notary last maintained an office (57 Pa.C.S. § 319).
- Retention period: 10 years from the date of the last entry, then delivered to the county recorder of deeds.
- Contact: Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Notaries — (717) 787-5280
Relevant statutes: 57 Pa.C.S. § 319
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.