Mobile Notary Publics Professional Liability Insurance in Pennsylvania

Mobile Notary Publics in Pennsylvania at a glance

Mandatory Surety Bond

Fixed by state statute

Required by the Commonwealth to protect the public from notary errors.

Journal Requirement

Mandatory (RULONA)

Must record every notarial act in a paper or electronic journal.

Commission Term

4 Years

Notaries must renew their commission every four years to remain active.

Pennsylvania Notary Bond and E&O Insurance

In Pennsylvania, every notary is required to execute a surety bond within 45 days of their appointment. This bond is a financial guarantee to the Commonwealth that the notary will faithfully perform their duties. If a notary fails to do so and causes financial harm, the surety company pays the claimant up to the bond amount, but the notary is ultimately responsible for reimbursing the surety.

Because the mandatory bond only protects the public, mobile notaries should strongly consider Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. E&O insurance protects the notary’s personal and professional assets if they are sued for a mistake, such as failing to properly identify a signer or missing a signature on a complex loan package. For mobile notaries, this coverage is essential as they often work in high-pressure, non-traditional environments.

Journal Requirements and RULONA Compliance

Pennsylvania law (RULONA) requires all notaries to maintain a journal of all notarial acts. The journal can be in a tangible medium (paper) or an electronic format. Each entry must include the date and time of the act, the type of act, a description of the record, the full name and address of each individual, and the fee charged.

For mobile notaries, the journal serves as the primary defense against allegations of negligence or fraud. By documenting the specific steps taken to verify identity and the circumstances of the signing, notaries can provide evidence that they followed all statutory requirements, even years after the event occurred.

Mobile Notary Fees and Commission Rules

Pennsylvania notary commissions last for four years. Notaries are appointed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and must be a resident of or employed in Pennsylvania. When acting as a mobile notary, travel fees are not regulated by the state but must be agreed upon by the notary and the customer before the notarial act takes place.

It is best practice for mobile notaries to clearly separate the statutory notary fee (which is capped by the state) from the travel and convenience fees on their invoices and in their journals to ensure transparency and compliance with state regulations.

Mobile Notary Publics FAQs for Pennsylvania