Journal Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina does not require a notary journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations. South Carolina Code §26-1-5 et seq. governs South Carolina notaries. South Carolina authorized remote online notarization under the South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act, effective January 1, 2022. For RON, South Carolina requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording with a 5-year retention period. South Carolina's 10-year commission term is the longest in the country and its no-bond requirement makes it one of the lowest-barrier states for obtaining a commission from a cost and administrative standpoint. The booming Southeast real estate market — particularly in the Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg corridors — makes South Carolina an increasingly active market for professional signing agents.
South Carolina Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | South Carolina Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | sos.sc.gov |
| Commission term | 10 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
South Carolina's 10-year commission term is the longest of any U.S. state — double Indiana's 8-year term and more than double the 4-year standard. This is a legislative choice that reduces renewal frequency for notaries. For signing agents, the long term means your commission credential requires less management, but your background check, E&O insurance, and certification credentials must still be renewed on their own independent schedules — none of which align with the 10-year commission cycle.
Yes significantly. South Carolina has been one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the Southeast, driven by population inflows to the Charleston, Columbia, Greenville-Spartanburg, and Myrtle Beach metro areas. Charleston in particular has seen above-average purchase transaction volume and higher average loan amounts, which translates to more complex packages and above-average fees for experienced signing agents.
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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina statutes for any state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
South Carolina 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 South Carolina require NNA certification, a current background check, and E&O insurance at $100,000 or more as vendor requirements.