Notary Info and Requirements by State

Learn how to become a Notary, Stamp and Seal Requirements, Recordbook Requirements, Authorized Notarial Duties, State Contact Info and more!

State Information for Maine

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Maine Notary Requirements and Information

Maine Notary Commission Qualifications
Notary applicants must:
• be at least 18 years old;
• demonstrate a proficiency in the English language;
• be a resident of Maine or a resident of New Hampshire that is regularly employed within in the state;
• be recommended for their notary commission by a registered Maine voter who can attest to the applicant's ability to perform the duties required of a Notary Public;
• not have had a notary commission revoked for official misconduct in the state of Maine or any other state within 5 years from the date applying;
• not have been convicted and imprisoned of a crime. Conviction of certain crimes involving dishonesty render an applicant ineligible for 10 years following release, termination of probation, or after the date of the conviction. Any applicant that has been incarcerated is ineligible of obtaining commission.

How to Apply to Become a Maine Notary
See detailed information including applicable fees, on the website of the Maine Secretary of State’s Office: https://www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/notary/total/index.pl

Appointing Officer
Secretary of State.

Term of Office
• 7 Years, Maine Resident;
• 4 years, New Hampshire Residents.

Notary Education and/or Exam Requirement
Exam required; the exam is an open-book exam and is included with the application. Renewing resident applicants take the exam via the Total Notary Solution–Online Renewal system.

Notary Bond Requirement
Not required.

Notary Recordbook (Journal) Requirement
Not required. Notaries that perform any marriage ceremonies must keep a record of the transaction. Maine's Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics recommends that a Notary also keep a copy of the signed marriage license, but this is not required by required by law. If a recordbook is voluntarily used, some specifics apply including: bound; consecutively numbered pages; preprinted page numbers; inside cover area for Notary information and other information. Collection of the signer’s thumbprint for any reason is prohibited.

Notary Seal Requirement
Not required, but if used (ink stamp or embossing seal) the seal must display elements specified in statute.

Authorized Duties
• Oaths/affirmations;
• acknowledgments and proofs;
• execute jurats;
• attest documents;
• solemnize marriage vows;
• note protests.
• Because Maine law is silent on whether Notaries may certify copies of original documents, Maine's Secretary of State "strongly" recommends that instead, the document custodian certify a copy's authenticity by executing a sworn affidavit before a Notary.

Change of Name, Address or Eligibility Status
See detailed information on the website of the Maine Secretary of State: https://www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/notary/total/index.pl

Contact Information for the State of Maine

State of Maine Notary Website
https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/notary/notaries.html

State of Maine Handbook and Resource Guide
https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/notary/notaryguide.pdf

State of Maine Online Notary Search
https://www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/notary/search/search_index.pl

Phone Number
(207) 624-7752

Mailing Address
Department of the Secretary of State
Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101

Apostille Certification Information

Phone Number
(207) 624-7736

Further Information
https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/apostilles/index.html

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