How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Tennessee (2026)

Overview

Tennessee’s $50 RON registration fee stands out nationally – most states charge $10-$25 for the RON authorization. The $10,000 commission bond is mid-range. Tennessee’s real estate market – especially the Nashville metro, Memphis, and Knoxville areas – provides strong RON demand, and the ability to serve national signers makes Tennessee a viable multi-market RON state.

Tennessee RON Legal Framework

Tennessee’s RON requirements (authorized 2020):

• Active Tennessee notary commission (4-year term) issued by the Secretary of State
• $10,000 surety bond required for the traditional commission
• Tennessee residency or place of business/employment in the state
• Completion of required RON training
• RON registration application submitted to and approved by the Secretary of State
• $50 RON registration fee
• Use of a Secretary of State-approved RON platform
• Two-way real-time audio-visual communication for every remote session
• Identity verification using approved methods (credential analysis and/or KBA)
• Electronic journal entry required per notarial act
• Audio-visual recording retained per state requirements

Tennessee’s $50 RON Registration Fee

Tennessee charges $50 for the RON registration – higher than the $10-$25 most states charge. For context:

• Tennessee RON registration: $50
• North Carolina eNotary registration: $50 (similar)
• Pennsylvania RON license: $42
• Minnesota RON registration: $20
• Nebraska RON registration: $20
• Washington RON application: $10

Factor this higher fee into the total startup cost calculation alongside the commission bond, training, and platform setup. Verify the current fee at sos.tn.gov/notary as fees may be updated.

Tennessee’s $10,000 Bond Requirement

Tennessee requires a $10,000 surety bond as part of the traditional notary commission application. The bond is submitted with the commission application – before the RON registration. Annual premium for a $10,000 bond typically runs $50-$100. The bond covers all notarial conduct including RON activities under the same commission. Verify current requirements at sos.tn.gov/notary.

Tennessee RON Training Requirement

Tennessee requires completion of RON training before the registration application. Training covers Tennessee RON law, remote session procedures, identity verification methods (credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication), and electronic journal requirements. Verify the current approved training at sos.tn.gov/notary before enrolling. Keep the completion certificate to submit with the registration application.

Tennessee-Approved RON Platforms

Tennessee requires use of a Secretary of State-approved RON platform. Platforms that have been approved for Tennessee RON include:

• Notarize (Proof) – high consumer session volume, strong Tennessee market
• NotaryLive – scheduling and session management
• DocVerify – enterprise and financial document workflows
• SIGNiX – mortgage and title integrations
• Pavaso – real estate and mortgage document focus

Verify the current Tennessee-approved list at sos.tn.gov/notary before the registration application.

What Tennessee RON Notaries Can Notarize

Tennessee RON covers acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, jurats, and signature witnessing. Volume areas:

• Real estate and mortgage documents – Tennessee’s high-growth residential markets in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
• Legal documents – powers of attorney, affidavits, estate documents
• Business documents – corporate and LLC documents, financial agreements
• Out-of-state signers – Tennessee RON notaries can serve signers anywhere nationally

Common Mistakes Tennessee RON Notaries Make

• Not budgeting for the $50 RON registration fee – higher than most states
• Not having the $10,000 bond in place before the commission application
• Using a platform not on Tennessee’s current SoS-approved list
• Performing remote sessions before receiving registration confirmation

Before You Start

Tennessee RON requires SoS registration before any remote session. Secure the $10,000 commission bond, complete the commission application, complete required training, submit the RON registration with platform information, pay the $50 fee, and wait for confirmation. Official reference: Tennessee Secretary of State – Notary Public.

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