Click Here for Online Notary Applications
General Information
A Notary Public is a public official whose powers and duties are defined by statute. A Notary has the power to acknowledge signatures upon personal knowledge or satisfactory proof, administer oaths, record and/or transcribe depositions, and confirm the authenticity of signatures on affidavits. A Notary’s powers and duties can be exercised in all counties in the State of Tennessee.
Qualifications
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the county, or maintain a principal place of business in the county from which they are elected.
How to Become a Notary Public
- Application and Fee
Applicants may either complete the online application at the link above, or download and print the Application for Notary Public. Mail the completed, notarized application along with the fee of $12.00 payable to “Knox County Clerk” to: Knox County Clerk’s Office Notary Division, P.O. Box 1566, Knoxville, TN 37901.
Those who prefer to apply in person may do so at any of the Clerk's Office Locations. Please bring the completed, notarized application and fee of $12.00. The Knox County Clerk’s office can notarize the applicant’s signature while in our office for an additional $5.00 fee. Monthly deadlines for applications vary from month to month based on the meeting schedule of the Knox County Commission, but it is always the Thursday before the Commission meeting. Please review this calendar of deadlines for more information. - Obtain Commission Dates
Following the commission meeting, the Clerk's office forwards elected notary applications to the Secretary of State's Office. The Secretary of State will assign commission dates and print Notary Certificates of Commission for each applicant. To search for a Notary Commission by name, please visit the Secretary of State’s website here: Notary Commission Search Please review this calendar of expected commission delivery dates to get an idea about when to expect your certificate of commission to be returned to this office. We will email those applicants who provided an email address to notify them that their certificate has been delivered. By responding to the email, applicants will have the opportunity to choose an office they wish to have their certificate to be delivered. Applicants that do not provide an email address with their application may call our office at (865) 215-2383 or (865) 215-3619 on or after the expected delivery date to receive their commission dates and choose an office to have their certificate to be delivered. - Surety Bond
Once the commission dates are obtained, please contact any surety company authorized to do business as a surety in Tennessee, and purchase a Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000.00) surety bond. The bond is payable to the state and conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of a notary public. - Oath
After securing the bond, notaries must make a personal appearance at the office they choose for their certificate of commission to be delivered. At the office, the applicant will take the oath of office and file their surety bond. The fee to file this bond with the Knox County Clerk is $2.00. Please note: You are not authorized to act as a notary public until you received your commission from the Governor, filed your bond, and taken the oath of office.
Phone: 865.215.2383
Fax: 865.215.2620
Email: county.clerk@knoxcounty.org
Additional Notary Services
Notary Certifications
The Knox County Clerk’s Office certifies Notaries Public for apostilles, applications for adoption, court action and various other purposes. There is a $5.00 fee for Notary Certifications. This service is available at all Knox County Clerk locations.
Notarizing Documents
The Knox County Clerk’s Office can notarize various documents for a fee of $3.00. Please provide a government issued photo identification, such as a Tennessee Driver License.
Forms and Resources
Payment Information
