Notarial Acts & Their Differences
Under RULONA, a Pennsylvania notary may take acknowledgments, administer oaths and affirmations, take verifications on oath or affirmation (jurats), witness or attest signatures, and certify copies of certain records.
RULONA notarial acts
Pennsylvania's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts authorizes: acknowledgments, oaths/affirmations, verifications on oath or affirmation (the jurat), signature witnessing, and copy certification of a document the notary is presented and can compare. Each act has a prescribed certificate. The notary must determine that the signer appears, is identified, and—for verifications—takes the oath.
Acknowledgment vs. verification (jurat)
In an acknowledgment the signer declares they signed the record voluntarily. In a verification on oath or affirmation (jurat) the signer swears the statement is true and signs in the notary's presence. RULONA uses the term 'verification on oath or affirmation' for what other states call a jurat. Selecting the correct act is the signer's or document's call, not the notary's.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- Exam vendor
- Pearson VUE
- Prelicensing education
- 3 hours (state-approved notary education, completed within 6 months before applying)
Does Pennsylvania require a notary exam?
Yes. Every first-time applicant (and anyone whose commission has lapsed) must pass the state notary exam delivered by Pearson VUE. The first attempt may be taken online from home via OnVUE; any retake must be in person at a test center, with unlimited retakes inside a 6-month window.
Do I need a course before the Pennsylvania notary exam?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires at least 3 hours of approved notary education, completed within the 6 months before you apply, before you can sit for the Pearson VUE exam.
How long is a Pennsylvania notary commission?
A Pennsylvania notary public commission runs for 4 years.
Sources: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/notaries, https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/notaries/examination-requirement