South Carolina (SC)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research South Carolina notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference South Carolina notary details against the official state database.
Visit South Carolina Official Notary Database
How to Research a South Carolina Notary
1. Go to https://search.scsos.com/notaries
2. Enter the notary's first and/or last name in the Notary Name field. Partial names can also be used.
3. Optionally select a county to narrow results.
4. Click Search and review the results.
5. Verify the name, county, and expiration date.
Note: Do not use punctuation or middle initials, as this may cause an error.
Alternatively, call the Notaries Division at (803) 734-2512.
2. Enter the notary's first and/or last name in the Notary Name field. Partial names can also be used.
3. Optionally select a county to narrow results.
4. Click Search and review the results.
5. Verify the name, county, and expiration date.
Note: Do not use punctuation or middle initials, as this may cause an error.
Alternatively, call the Notaries Division at (803) 734-2512.
How to Verify a South Carolina Notary's Signature
South Carolina notaries are commissioned by the Governor and file their commission with the Secretary of State.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Search for the notary at https://search.scsos.com/notaries to confirm active commission status.
2. Contact the SC Secretary of State's Notaries Division at (803) 734-2512 for additional verification.
3. South Carolina notaries have statewide jurisdiction regardless of their county of residence.
Reference: SC Code Title 26, Chapter 1
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Search for the notary at https://search.scsos.com/notaries to confirm active commission status.
2. Contact the SC Secretary of State's Notaries Division at (803) 734-2512 for additional verification.
3. South Carolina notaries have statewide jurisdiction regardless of their county of residence.
Reference: SC Code Title 26, Chapter 1
Verifying Older South Carolina Documents
The SC SOS online notary search reflects the information most recently filed with the Secretary of State's Office.
1. Search at https://search.scsos.com/notaries -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. If not found online, contact the Notaries Division at (803) 734-2512 for historical commission records.
3. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Commission term: 10 years.
1. Search at https://search.scsos.com/notaries -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. If not found online, contact the Notaries Division at (803) 734-2512 for historical commission records.
3. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Commission term: 10 years.
South Carolina Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
South Carolina requires every notary to have a seal of office which must be affixed to notarial acts. The device may be an ink stamp or an embosser.
Seal requirements (SC Code 26-1-100):
- Type: Ink stamp or embosser (both are acceptable)
- Must include: the notary's name exactly as shown on the commission, the words "Notary Public", and the words "State of South Carolina"
- The commission expiration date may appear in the stamp/seal or elsewhere in the notarial certificate
- South Carolina notaries have statewide jurisdiction
- Notaries must notify the Secretary of State of any filing information changes using the appropriate form
Seal requirements (SC Code 26-1-100):
- Type: Ink stamp or embosser (both are acceptable)
- Must include: the notary's name exactly as shown on the commission, the words "Notary Public", and the words "State of South Carolina"
- The commission expiration date may appear in the stamp/seal or elsewhere in the notarial certificate
- South Carolina notaries have statewide jurisdiction
- Notaries must notify the Secretary of State of any filing information changes using the appropriate form
Contacting a South Carolina 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.
South Carolina — Contacting the Notary for Verification
South Carolina does not require notaries public to keep notary journals for traditional notarial acts, although the South Carolina Secretary of State strongly encourages the practice. Electronic notaries have more extensive recordkeeping requirements.
Journal requirement:
- South Carolina notaries public are not required by law to keep notary journals for traditional notarizations (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-1 et seq.).
- The Secretary of State strongly encourages notaries to maintain a detailed record as a protective measure for the notary.
- Electronic notaries must maintain electronic notarial records as required by the South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-10 et seq.).
Electronic notary requirements:
- All electronic notarial records required by statute or regulation may be examined and copied without restriction by a law enforcement officer in the course of an official investigation, subpoenaed by court order, or surrendered at the direction of the Secretary of State (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-10 et seq.).
Inspection and access:
- Because journal-keeping is voluntary for traditional notarizations, a notary may or may not have records to provide. There is no statutory right to inspect or request copies of a traditional notary's voluntary journal.
- For electronic notarizations, records may be accessed by law enforcement in the course of an official investigation, by subpoena, or by court order.
Key considerations:
- South Carolina notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State.
- The law does not specify journal disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death for traditional notaries.
- Contact: SC Secretary of State Notary Division — (803) 734-2512
Relevant statutes: S.C. Code Ann. §§ 26-1-1 to 26-1-180; §§ 26-2-10 to 26-2-170
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.
South Carolina does not require notaries public to keep notary journals for traditional notarial acts, although the South Carolina Secretary of State strongly encourages the practice. Electronic notaries have more extensive recordkeeping requirements.
Journal requirement:
- South Carolina notaries public are not required by law to keep notary journals for traditional notarizations (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-1-1 et seq.).
- The Secretary of State strongly encourages notaries to maintain a detailed record as a protective measure for the notary.
- Electronic notaries must maintain electronic notarial records as required by the South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-10 et seq.).
Electronic notary requirements:
- All electronic notarial records required by statute or regulation may be examined and copied without restriction by a law enforcement officer in the course of an official investigation, subpoenaed by court order, or surrendered at the direction of the Secretary of State (S.C. Code Ann. § 26-2-10 et seq.).
Inspection and access:
- Because journal-keeping is voluntary for traditional notarizations, a notary may or may not have records to provide. There is no statutory right to inspect or request copies of a traditional notary's voluntary journal.
- For electronic notarizations, records may be accessed by law enforcement in the course of an official investigation, by subpoena, or by court order.
Key considerations:
- South Carolina notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State.
- The law does not specify journal disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death for traditional notaries.
- Contact: SC Secretary of State Notary Division — (803) 734-2512
Relevant statutes: S.C. Code Ann. §§ 26-1-1 to 26-1-180; §§ 26-2-10 to 26-2-170
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.