Journal Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee does not require a notary journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations. T.C.A. §66-22-101 et seq. and the Tennessee Notary Public Act govern Tennessee notaries. Tennessee authorized remote online notarization under the Tennessee Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), effective January 1, 2021. For RON, Tennessee requires an electronic journal and audio-visual recording with a 5-year retention period. Tennessee notaries must use a Secretary of State-approved RON platform. Tennessee's real estate market is one of the fastest-growing in the country, driven by significant population inflows to Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Signing agents in Tennessee's urban markets have seen above-average demand growth since 2020, particularly for purchase transactions driven by relocation buyers.
Tennessee Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | Tennessee Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | sos.tn.gov |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond required | $10,000 surety bond |
| Exam/training | No exam required |
| Journal (paper notarizations) | Not required — recommended |
| Journal (electronic/RON) | Required — 5 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Tennessee requires a notary seal that includes the notary's name, the words 'Notary Public,' the words 'State of Tennessee,' and the commission expiration date. The seal may be an ink stamp or an embossing seal. Ink stamps are more common in practice because they reproduce clearly in photocopies and scanned documents, which is important for loan documents that will be imaged and retained electronically.
Tennessee is a deed of trust state. Residential real estate loans in Tennessee are secured by a deed of trust rather than a mortgage, which involves three parties: the borrower (trustor), the lender (beneficiary), and a trustee. For signing agents, this means the primary notarized security instrument will be labeled as a deed of trust. The distinction affects the foreclosure process but not the notarization procedure.
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee statutes for any state-specific variations. When in doubt, require documentary ID rather than relying on personal knowledge of the signer.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee require NNA certification, a current background check, and E&O insurance at $100,000 or more as vendor requirements.