Journal Requirements in Maryland
Maryland does not require a notary journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations. Maryland Code, State Government Article §18-101 et seq. governs notaries in Maryland. Maryland authorized remote online notarization under HB 254, effective October 1, 2020. For RON, Maryland requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording with a 5-year minimum retention period. Maryland notaries performing RON must use a Secretary of State-approved platform and must receive separate electronic notarization authorization before performing any remote session. Maryland's real estate market — heavily influenced by the D.C. metro corridor — generates significant loan signing volume, particularly for purchase transactions and government-backed loans (FHA, VA) common among federal employees and military personnel stationed in the region.
Maryland Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | Maryland Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | sos.maryland.gov |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond required | No bond required |
| Exam/training | No exam required |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Not required — recommended |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 5 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Maryland notaries who wish to perform electronic or remote online notarizations must apply separately to the Maryland Secretary of State for electronic notarization authorization. The application requires designation of the technology platform the notary will use. Standard notary commission alone does not authorize electronic notarization in Maryland.
Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore County generate the highest loan signing volume in Maryland, driven by the high real estate transaction density in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore metro areas. Signing agents in these markets can often build direct title company relationships more quickly than in rural Maryland counties.
Yes. A journal provides contemporaneous documentation of every notarial act. In the event of a fraud allegation, a dispute about whether a document was signed, or a complaint to the Secretary of State, your journal is your primary defense. Professional signing agents in Maryland maintain journals as standard practice regardless of the legal mandate.
Standard government-issued photo identification is accepted: state driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, and permanent resident card. Always verify current Maryland statutes for any state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
Maryland does not have a separate state-issued notary signing agent certification. The notary commission is the legal credential. Most signing services and title companies operating in Maryland require NNA certification, a current background check, and E&O insurance at $100,000 or more as vendor requirements.