How to Become a Notary Signing Agent in Tennessee: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
Tennessee does things differently: notaries are elected by the county legislative body and commissioned by the governor. No state exam — but the process runs through your county clerk, so timelines vary by county. Here's the full process — then what turns a Tennessee notary into a loan signing agent.
Step 1: Confirm you qualify
- At least 18 years old
- A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Living in, or keeping your principal place of business in, the county where you apply
- Never removed from the office of notary for misconduct, never had a commission revoked or suspended, and never found to have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law
Step 2: Apply through your county clerk
Get the notary application from your county clerk's office — it must be signed under oath in the presence of a notary. Submit it to the clerk ahead of the county legislative body's meeting (many counties require it at least 10 days before the meeting). The application fee is typically $12; county-level fees vary, so confirm with your clerk.
Step 3: Win election by the county legislative body
The county commission (county legislative body) elects notaries. Once elected, post a $10,000 surety bond from a surety company authorized in Tennessee, file it with the county clerk, and take the oath of office before the clerk.
Step 4: Receive your governor's commission
The clerk forwards everything to the Secretary of State, and the governor issues your commission for a term of four years. You are not authorized to act until you've received the commission, filed the bond, and taken the oath.
Commission term: 4 years.
Step 5: Get your seal and journal
Order your stamp once commissioned — check your county's stamp requirements (some Tennessee counties specify ink color). A journal isn't universally mandated by the state statute, but keeping one is standard professional practice among signing agents and your best protection if an act is ever questioned.
Tennessee doesn't set a fixed statutory maximum fee per act — notaries set their own reasonable fees.
From Tennessee notary to signing agent
Tennessee has no separate state signing-agent certification — the commission above is the legal credential. But the companies that hire signing agents (lenders, title companies, signing services) operate on industry credentials: training certification plus background screening.
To work as a signing agent in Tennessee, add:
- Background screening (the NNA's screening is the industry standard; ~$60–$80/year)
- Signing agent training on loan documents — see the startup cost breakdown and our Loan Signing System review
- E&O insurance — not required by the state, but required by most hiring companies
- A dual-tray laser printer and the rest of the mobile notary kit
Tennessee also authorizes online notarization, giving commissioned notaries a remote channel alongside in-person loan signings. Compare the two paths in our signing agent vs. general notary income guide.
Cost summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Application fee | ~$12 (county fees vary) |
|---|
| $10,000 bond | ~$45 premium for the term |
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| Seal + journal | ~$40–$85 |
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| Signing agent training + screening | $100–$500 |
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| Commission basics total | Roughly $100–$145 before training |
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Requirements from the Tennessee Secretary of State (T.C.A. § 8-16-101 et seq.), verified September 2026. Your county clerk's office is the authoritative source for local procedures — confirm with them before applying.