How to Become a Notary in South Carolina

To become a South Carolina Notary Public, applicants must be registered to vote in South Carolina, be able to read and write English, and submit an application without a significant misstatement or omission of fact. 

The application also requires your South Carolina voter registration number and must be signed in ink in the presence of a notary

 South Carolina currently uses a paper Application/Renewal for Notary Public.  Complete the required information before signing it. Your printed name and signature should match the way you intend to sign when performing notarizations after you are commissioned. 

The application must be signed in the presence of a notary public.

If you purchase our South Carolina Notary Startup Package, we help complete the application and notarize your signature at our Columbia location.

4508 Saint Andrews Road, Suite B
Columbia, SC 29210

Applicants can currently select credit/debit card, check, money order or cash as the payment method on the application, subject to the state's instructions. Credit/debit payment is handled through a payment link after the Secretary of State receives the application.  

The $25 state filing fee is not included in our $75 Startup Package. 

The application must be mailed to the legislative delegation office for the county where the applicant lives. If the county does not have a delegation office listed on the application, it goes to the South Carolina House of Representatives. The delegation reviews the application and forwards it to the Secretary of State. 

 Processing times vary by county. The South Carolina Secretary of State's Notary Public Reference Manual states that the application process may take approximately 2–12 weeks. 

Once commissioned, South Carolina notaries are instructed to enroll their commission with the Clerk of Court in the county where they live, generally within 15 days of being commissioned. The clerk may require identification and a filing fee. 

 South Carolina notaries need a seal or stamp containing:

• the notary's name 
• the words “Notary Public” 
• the words “State of South Carolina” 

A rubber stamp or embosser may be used.

Our $75 South Carolina Notary Startup Package is designed for new notaries in the Columbia area who want help completing the application and getting ready to begin after their commission is approved.

Your Package Includes:

South Carolina Notary Application Assistance
We help you complete your application and review it for common completion errors before submission.

Application Notarization
Your application signature is notarized at our iShip&Pack location at 4508 Saint Andrews Road, Suite B, Columbia, SC 29210.

Custom South Carolina Notary Stamp
After your commission is approved, we produce your personalized South Carolina notary stamp using the name shown on your commission.

Notary Record Book
Receive a premium notary journal to help keep organized records of your notarial work.

100 Custom Business Cards
Start promoting your new notary service with 100 personalized business cards.

Additional Notary Date Stamp 

State filing fees and any Clerk of Court enrollment fees are not included.

Once your South Carolina notary commission arrives, bring your commission to our Columbia location so we can prepare the personalized supplies included with your Startup Package.

You should also enroll your commission with the Clerk of Court in the South Carolina county where you reside. The Secretary of State recommends completing enrollment within 15 days after commissioning. 

After your commission information has been confirmed, we can prepare your South Carolina notary stamp, record book and custom business cards.

Before performing notarizations, new notaries should also familiarize themselves with South Carolina notary law and the Secretary of State's Notary Public Reference Manual. The Secretary of State specifically states that maintaining appropriate education regarding notarial duties is the responsibility of the commissioned notary. 

Columbia SC Traveling Notary and iShip&Pack are private businesses and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the South Carolina Secretary of State, any county legislative delegation or any other government agency.

Purchase of the $75 South Carolina Notary Startup Package does not guarantee approval of a notary application or accelerate the state's application process.

Applicants are responsible for meeting all eligibility requirements established by South Carolina law. Application processing times are controlled by the applicant's legislative delegation and the South Carolina Secretary of State.

The $25 South Carolina filing fee, Clerk of Court enrollment fees and optional business services are separate from the $75 Startup Package unless specifically stated otherwise