How to Become an Online Notary in Tennessee

Tennessee opened remote online notarization (RON) to its notaries back in July 2019 – and the opportunity has only grown since. Whether you’re looking to build a side income or launch a full notary business from home, becoming an online notary in Tennessee is a clear, achievable process. This guide walks you through every step, from earning your traditional commission to activating your RON authority and landing your first clients.

Is Online Notarization Legal in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee is one of the growing number of U.S. states that has formally authorized remote online notarization. The state enacted RON legislation in 2019, permitting notaries to perform legally binding notarizations over live audio-video sessions with signers anywhere in the country. Both parties must be present in real time, and the platform used must meet Tennessee’s technical standards. There’s no workaround required; it’s fully legal and state-sanctioned.

If you’re already researching remote online notarization and how it works, that foundation will help you move through the Tennessee-specific requirements faster.

Tennessee Online Notary vs. Traditional Notary: What’s the Difference?

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand what you’re signing up for. Here’s how the two paths compare:

Online notarization removes geographic limits entirely. A Tennessee RON can legally serve a signer sitting in Florida, Ohio, or California — which is what makes the income potential so different.

Who Qualifies to Become an Online Notary in Tennessee?

To apply for RON authority in Tennessee, you must first meet the following baseline requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Hold a valid Tennessee driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Have an active Tennessee Notary Public commissio

You cannot skip straight to RON status. Tennessee law requires you to hold a traditional notary commission first. If you don’t have one yet, start with that — it’s covered in the next section.

Step 1: Get Your Tennessee Notary Public Commission

Here’s how to obtain your traditional notary commission in Tennessee. The process runs through your county clerk’s office:

• Pick up an application from your county clerk’s office (or download it from the Tennessee Secretary of State website)
• Submit the completed application along with the $12 fee to your county clerk
• The county legislative body (county commission) elects you as a Notary Public. Your county clerk certifies the election and forwards it to the Secretary of State
• The Secretary of State prepares your commission, which the Governor also signs. It’s then returned to your county clerk, who will contact you when it’s ready
• Obtain a $10,000 surety bond required before you take your oath
• Visit your county clerk’s office to take your oath of office and record your bond
• Collect your official Notary commission from the county clerk

Optional but strongly recommended: get Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance to protect yourself against liability on notarizations that go sideways.

Step 2: Apply for Tennessee Remote Online Notary (RON) Status

Once your traditional commission is active, here are the steps to become a Tennessee online notary:

• Read the applicable Tennessee RON statutes and administrative rules — this is required before applying
• Choose a RON technology provider that is approved under Tennessee’s requirements (such as BlueNotary)
• Collect the required vendor documents — your platform will tell you exactly what the state needs from them
• Complete the Online Notary Application through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website
• Attach your vendor’s documentation and submit the $75 application fee
• Await your online notary commission from the Secretary of State — once approved, you’re cleared to conduct RONs

For a broader view of what the RON process looks like across platforms, see this guide on remote online notary platforms explained.

Staying Compliant With Tennessee’s RON Laws

Getting commissioned is step one — staying compliant is ongoing. Tennessee requires active RON notaries to follow these rules:

• Maintain a complete digital record of every remote notarization session, including audio-video recordings
• Verify each signer’s identity through an approved method (knowledge-based authentication, credential analysis, or a credible witness)
• Be physically present in Tennessee during every remote notarization, you cannot conduct RONs while out of state
• Keep all digital documents and records secure, in line with the Tennessee Secretary of State’s guidelines
• Maintain an active, in-good-standing notary commission and stay current on applicable laws
• Follow your RON platform’s specific procedures, including any continuing education requirements they mandate

Understanding what it means to be legally notarized helps you explain your services to clients with confidence.

How Much Can You Earn as an Online Notary in Tennessee?

Income varies based on the type of work you take on and how much you hustle for clients. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

With BlueNotary, new notaries start at around $25 per online notarization. As you build volume and move into loan signings, the per-job income increases significantly. BlueNotary Pro-Hybrid members can also invoice clients directly at custom rates, giving you full control over your pricing.

The broader market is massive, approximately 1.25 billion notarizations are performed in the U.S. every year, and an accelerating share of those are moving to remote platforms.

To understand what notaries typically earn across the country, check out this detailed breakdown of notary public pay rates.

When Are Notaries Busiest in Tennessee?

Demand for notarization isn’t flat year-round. The heaviest volume typically falls during:

• Tax season (January–April): Tax-related documents frequently require notarization, and both individuals and businesses need services quickly.
• Real estate transaction peaks: Closings surge in spring and summer, creating strong demand for loan signing agents.
• Year-round commercial clients: Businesses, law firms, and lenders require regular notarizations throughout the year, making them your most reliable income source.

The most successful online notaries don’t wait for clients to find them. They build referral pipelines with local title companies, law firms, and real estate agents to maintain consistent work.

Quick Reference: Tennessee Online Notary Requirements

Why Now Is the Right Time to Become an Online Notary in Tennessee

The infrastructure is already in place, the law passed, the platforms exist, and client demand is accelerating. RON lets you work from anywhere in Tennessee, serve clients across the country, and set your own hours. That combination of flexibility and earning potential is genuinely rare.

You can learn more about what documents you’ll handle regularly by reviewing the most commonly notarized documents. Getting familiar with them now makes your first sessions go smoother.

Ready to get started? Create your BlueNotary account and follow the step-by-step onboarding. The platform includes training videos, a signing simulator, and a community of Tennessee notaries who have already been through this exact process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be a traditional notary before becoming an online notary in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee law requires you to hold an active Notary Public commission before you can apply for remote online notarization (RON) authority. You cannot apply for RON status as your first step; the traditional commission is a prerequisite.

Q: How long does it take to get approved as a Tennessee online notary? The county commission process for your traditional notary can take a few weeks depending on the county’s meeting schedule. Once you have your commission and submit the RON application with your $75 fee and vendor documents, approval from the Secretary of State typically takes a few business days to a few weeks.

Q: Can a Tennessee online notary serve clients in other states? Yes. One of the key advantages of RON is that your Tennessee online notary commission allows you to notarize documents for signers located anywhere in the United States, as long as you are physically present in Tennessee at the time of the session.

Q: What RON technology platform should I use in Tennessee? You must use a platform that meets Tennessee’s technical requirements, including support for real-time audio-video, identity verification, and secure digital recordkeeping. BlueNotary is a state-approved RON provider in Tennessee and includes onboarding tools, training resources, and a notary community.

Q: What does a Tennessee online notary charge per session? Standard single-document RON sessions typically start around $25. Loan signing packages — the higher-value work — typically pay $75 to $200 per closing, depending on the package and the client relationship. You can also set your own rates when invoicing clients outside a platform.

Q: Do I need E&O insurance to become an online notary in Tennessee? E&O (Errors & Omissions) insurance is not legally required, but it’s strongly recommended. It protects you financially if a notarization error leads to a legal claim. The cost is modest, often under $100 per year, relative to the protection it provides.

Q: What identity verification methods are approved for Tennessee RON? Tennessee approves knowledge-based authentication (KBA), credential analysis (scanning a government-issued ID), and credible witness identification. Most RON platforms handle these verification steps automatically within the session workflow.