Tennessee (TN)
Manual Only
Research Tennessee notary commissions. Tennessee requires manual lookup through the official state database.
Visit Tennessee Official Notary Database
How to Research a Tennessee Notary
1. Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/portal/notary-search
2. Enter the notary's last name (required) and optionally first name, zip code, or county.
3. Click Search and review the results grid.
4. Verify the notary name, commission expiration date, county, and whether they are an online notary.
Note: This database reflects commissions issued by the Secretary of State but does not reflect whether the notary has taken their oath of office or executed the required bond with the county clerk.
5. Contact the county clerk's office where the notary was elected to verify oath and bond status.
Contact: Tennessee Secretary of State -- (615) 741-2286
2. Enter the notary's last name (required) and optionally first name, zip code, or county.
3. Click Search and review the results grid.
4. Verify the notary name, commission expiration date, county, and whether they are an online notary.
Note: This database reflects commissions issued by the Secretary of State but does not reflect whether the notary has taken their oath of office or executed the required bond with the county clerk.
5. Contact the county clerk's office where the notary was elected to verify oath and bond status.
Contact: Tennessee Secretary of State -- (615) 741-2286
How to Verify a Tennessee Notary's Signature
Tennessee notaries are elected by the county legislative body and file their oath of office and bond with the county clerk.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county where the notary was elected (this appears on the notarial certificate or in the TN SOS database).
2. Contact the county clerk in that county to request comparison against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. The Secretary of State can confirm whether a commission was issued, but the county clerk verifies the oath and bond.
Contact: Tennessee Secretary of State -- (615) 741-2286
Reference: TCA 8-16-101 et seq.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county where the notary was elected (this appears on the notarial certificate or in the TN SOS database).
2. Contact the county clerk in that county to request comparison against the notary's oath signature on file.
3. The Secretary of State can confirm whether a commission was issued, but the county clerk verifies the oath and bond.
Contact: Tennessee Secretary of State -- (615) 741-2286
Reference: TCA 8-16-101 et seq.
Verifying Older Tennessee Documents
The Tennessee SOS notary search may include both active and expired commissions.
1. Search the TN SOS notary database at https://tncab.tnsos.gov/portal/notary-search for the notary.
2. If not found online, contact the Tennessee Secretary of State at (615) 741-2286 for historical commission records.
3. The county clerk where the notary was elected may also have historical oath and bond records.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search the TN SOS notary database at https://tncab.tnsos.gov/portal/notary-search for the notary.
2. If not found online, contact the Tennessee Secretary of State at (615) 741-2286 for historical commission records.
3. The county clerk where the notary was elected may also have historical oath and bond records.
Commission term: 4 years.
Tennessee Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Tennessee requires every notary to use an official seal prescribed by the Secretary of State on all notarized documents.
Seal requirements (TCA 8-16-114):
- Type: Rubber stamp or other type stamp (NOT an embosser/impression seal)
- Shape: Circular
- Must include: The notary's name (as on commission) at the top, the county of election at the bottom, and "State of Tennessee Notary Public" or "Tennessee Notary Public" in the center
- Ink color: Any color that is clearly legible and appears black when photocopied (NOT black or yellow ink)
- The notary must surrender the seal to the county legislative body upon resignation or expiration
- Tennessee notaries have jurisdiction only in the county where they are elected, unless they hold commissions in multiple counties
Seal requirements (TCA 8-16-114):
- Type: Rubber stamp or other type stamp (NOT an embosser/impression seal)
- Shape: Circular
- Must include: The notary's name (as on commission) at the top, the county of election at the bottom, and "State of Tennessee Notary Public" or "Tennessee Notary Public" in the center
- Ink color: Any color that is clearly legible and appears black when photocopied (NOT black or yellow ink)
- The notary must surrender the seal to the county legislative body upon resignation or expiration
- Tennessee notaries have jurisdiction only in the county where they are elected, unless they hold commissions in multiple counties
Contacting a Tennessee 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.
Tennessee — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Tennessee requires notaries to use a "well-bound book" or journal to record every notarization they perform if the notary charges a fee. If no fee is charged, no record is required, although it is recommended.
Journal requirement:
- If a notary charges a fee, the notary must keep a record either in an appropriate electronic form or a well-bound book of each of their attestations, protestations, and other instruments of publication (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201).
- If the notary or the notary's employer does not demand or receive a fee for the notary's services, no recordation of the notary's acts is required.
- While no record is required if no fee is charged, it is recommended that every notary keep a record of their notarial acts in a well-bound book or electronic file.
- According to the Tennessee Attorney General, a digital journal is acceptable as long as it is available for public inspection and complies with other statutory conditions.
Required journal entries:
- Tennessee requires notaries to chronicle the following information in their notary journals: the date of the acknowledgment, affidavit, or other transaction; the name of the person whose signature is being notarized; to whom the instrument is being executed; a description, including the date, of the instrument; whether the person whose signature was notarized was a personal acquaintance or what proof was shown prior to notarizing the signature; and what fee, if any, was received (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201).
Inspection and access:
- A digital journal is acceptable as long as it is available for public inspection and complies with other statutory conditions.
- The statute contemplates public inspection of the journal when fees are charged, but it does not specify procedures for requesting access or copies. A subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production if the notary is unwilling to cooperate voluntarily.
Online notary requirements:
- An online notary public, or his or her properly designated custodian or repository, must keep, for at least 5 years after the date of the transaction or proceeding, a secure electronic record of all electronic documents notarized by the online notary public.
Key considerations:
- Tennessee notaries serve four-year terms.
- It is prudent to keep traditional journals for several years post-commission.
- The statute does not specify disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: TN Secretary of State Notary Commissions — (615) 741-3699
Relevant statutes: Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201; Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-301 et seq. (Online Notary Public Act)
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.
Tennessee requires notaries to use a "well-bound book" or journal to record every notarization they perform if the notary charges a fee. If no fee is charged, no record is required, although it is recommended.
Journal requirement:
- If a notary charges a fee, the notary must keep a record either in an appropriate electronic form or a well-bound book of each of their attestations, protestations, and other instruments of publication (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201).
- If the notary or the notary's employer does not demand or receive a fee for the notary's services, no recordation of the notary's acts is required.
- While no record is required if no fee is charged, it is recommended that every notary keep a record of their notarial acts in a well-bound book or electronic file.
- According to the Tennessee Attorney General, a digital journal is acceptable as long as it is available for public inspection and complies with other statutory conditions.
Required journal entries:
- Tennessee requires notaries to chronicle the following information in their notary journals: the date of the acknowledgment, affidavit, or other transaction; the name of the person whose signature is being notarized; to whom the instrument is being executed; a description, including the date, of the instrument; whether the person whose signature was notarized was a personal acquaintance or what proof was shown prior to notarizing the signature; and what fee, if any, was received (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201).
Inspection and access:
- A digital journal is acceptable as long as it is available for public inspection and complies with other statutory conditions.
- The statute contemplates public inspection of the journal when fees are charged, but it does not specify procedures for requesting access or copies. A subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production if the notary is unwilling to cooperate voluntarily.
Online notary requirements:
- An online notary public, or his or her properly designated custodian or repository, must keep, for at least 5 years after the date of the transaction or proceeding, a secure electronic record of all electronic documents notarized by the online notary public.
Key considerations:
- Tennessee notaries serve four-year terms.
- It is prudent to keep traditional journals for several years post-commission.
- The statute does not specify disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: TN Secretary of State Notary Commissions — (615) 741-3699
Relevant statutes: Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-1201; Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-301 et seq. (Online Notary Public Act)
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.