When does the notary's commission begin?

A notary public's commission officially begins after taking the oath of office. This is a crucial step because the oath affirms the notary's commitment to perform their duties faithfully and ethically according to the laws governing notarial acts. This process typically follows the completion of any required examinations and submission of necessary documents, including securing a bond.

While completing the exam and obtaining a bond are important milestones in the notarial commissioning process, they do not mark the official commencement of the commission. The oath is the final act that formally endows the individual with the authority to perform notarial acts, signifying that they are now a commissioned notary public ready to carry out their responsibilities.