The Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change is the Rutherford County Clerk's application, printed as Application for Name Change of Tennessee Notary Public-at-Large, for putting a new name on an existing Tennessee Notary Public at Large commission. A notary who changed their name through marriage, divorce, a court order or another reason files it together with a rider bond, proof of the name change and the original commission. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Rutherford County Clerk publishes the form and receives the filing at its Murfreesboro office.
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What is Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change – Rutherford County, TN?
The Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change is the Rutherford County Clerk's form for changing the name on an existing Tennessee Notary Public at Large commission after a marriage, divorce, legal name change or another reason.
The printed title is Application for Name Change of Tennessee Notary Public-at-Large, and it follows a one-page set of instructions from the Rutherford County Clerk. The application asks for your full legal name, the name on your existing commission, the date that commission expires, the name you want on the new commission, the reason for the change, your contact details, and the name to appear on your notary seal. It also carries a sworn statement that you meet the qualifications for a Tennessee Notary Public-at-Large and that your answers are true, and an Oath of Office block for the County Clerk's office.
The application is only one part of the filing. The instructions also require a rider bond showing the new name, a certified copy of the document proving the change, the original commission issued by the Secretary of State, and a recording fee. Once these are filed, the County Clerk orders the commission from the Tennessee Secretary of State. The form changes the name on an existing commission; it is not an application for a first commission.
Who needs to file Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change – Rutherford County, TN?
Tennessee Notaries Public at Large who hold an existing commission through the Rutherford County Clerk and need a different name on it use this form. The application lists four reasons, and you mark one: Marriage, Divorce, Legal Name Change or Other (specify).
The instructions tie the form to a filing package, so you need all of these together with the application:
- a rider bond showing the new name;
- a certified copy of the document proving the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court name change order;
- your original Notary Public at Large Commission issued by the Secretary of State.
Personal sureties on your original bond are involved if you used a personal surety bond: both of them must appear in person to sign the bond under the new name.
Do not use this form to obtain a first commission: the instructions open with "to change the name on an existing Tennessee Notary Public at Large commission." The form describes no representative who may file or sign for you. The applicant must sign before a notary public and must later take the Oath of Office in person before the County Clerk.
When to file Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change – Rutherford County, TN
File this application after your name has changed, once you hold the documents the instructions require: the rider bond showing the new name, a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree or court name change order, and your original commission. The form prints no deadline and no filing window.
The steps run in this order. You file everything with the Rutherford County Clerk. The County Clerk then orders your Notary Public at Large Commission from the Tennessee Secretary of State. When the commission has been issued, the Clerk notifies you to appear in person to take the Oath of Office before obtaining the commission. The instructions give no processing time.
Documents you need
- A rider bond showing the name change, issued by the insurance company that issued your original notary bond, if your original bond was an insurance company bond.
- A personal surety bond signed under your new name, if your original bond was a personal surety bond: both personal sureties who signed the original bond must appear in person to sign it.
- A certified copy of the document proving the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or name change order from the court.
- Your original Notary Public at Large Commission issued by the Secretary of State.
How to fill out Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change – Rutherford County, TN
Enter your full legal name
Print in black ink or type. Write your current full legal name in the three spaces: First, Middle and Last.
Give your existing commission details
Enter the name appearing on your existing Notary Public at Large commission and the date that commission expires.
Enter the name for the new commission
In Name to Appear on Commission, write the name as you want it printed after the change.
Mark the reason for the change
Mark one box: Marriage, Divorce, Legal Name Change or Other. If you mark Other, write the reason on the line provided.
Add personal and home details
Enter your date of birth, home street address, city, state and ZIP code, e-mail address and home telephone number.
Add employer and business details
Enter your employer, business street address, city, state and ZIP code, e-mail address and business telephone number.
Print the name for your notary seal
Under the sworn statement, write in Print Name to Appear on Notary Seal the name that will appear on your seal.
Sign before a notary public
Sign on the Signature of Applicant line, exactly as the name is printed above it, in front of a notary public. The notary completes the sworn-to-and-subscribed block with date, seal and commission expiration.
Leave the office-use and oath areas
Do not write in the For Office Use Only box. The Oath of Office is taken in person before the County Clerk after the new commission is issued.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every name against your certified name-change document. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then assemble the bond, proof and original commission as described under How to submit.
How to submit Notary Public at Large Application - Name Change – Rutherford County, TN
The instructions direct you to file the application and its supporting items in the Office of the Rutherford County Clerk; the form names no mail, fax or online channel.
- In person: Rutherford County Clerk, 319 North Maple Street, Suite 121, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130. The county's Clerk page lists this office as open 8AM - 4PM Monday-Thursday and 8AM - 5PM Friday. The phone number on the form is (615) 898-7800.
Bring or include with the application:
- a rider bond showing the name change (an insurance company bond from the company that issued your original bond, or a personal surety bond signed in person by both original sureties under the new name);
- a certified copy of the document proving the name change;
- your original Notary Public at Large Commission;
- the recording fee. A fee applies; ask the Clerk's office for the current amount.
The Clerk's office accepts notarized applications only. If you arrive with an unsigned application, a member of the Clerk's staff will witness your signature and notarize it for an additional fee.
After filing, wait for the Clerk's notice that the new commission has been issued, then appear in person before the County Clerk to take the Oath of Office. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the application without signing it before a notary public; the Clerk's office accepts notarized applications only, and staff notarization of an unsigned application costs an additional fee.
- Filing an ordinary photocopy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order instead of a certified copy.
- Keeping your original commission instead of filing it with the application.
- Filing a rider bond from a different insurance company than the one that issued your original notary bond.
- Having only one personal surety sign the new bond; both sureties from your original bond must appear in person.
- Marking more than one reason for the name change; the form says to mark one.
- Signing with a name that differs from the name printed on the signature line; the form says to sign exactly as printed above.
- Skipping the in-person Oath of Office; the Clerk notifies you to appear before you receive the commission.
- Filling in the For Office Use Only block, which holds the fee, date paid and receipt number for the Clerk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Notary Public at Large name change application?
It is the Rutherford County Clerk's application for changing the name on an existing Tennessee Notary Public at Large commission. You file it with a rider bond, a certified copy of the name-change document and your original commission; the Clerk then orders the new commission from the Secretary of State.
Is this a Rutherford County property tax form?
No. This is a notary form issued by the Rutherford County Clerk. It is used only to change the name on a Tennessee Notary Public at Large commission and has nothing to do with property tax.
What documents do I file with the name change application?
File a rider bond showing the new name, a certified copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court name change order, and your original Notary Public at Large Commission from the Secretary of State. The recording fee is also due with the filing.
Does the name change application have to be notarized?
Yes. The Clerk's office accepts notarized applications only, so sign before a notary public. If you appear with an unsigned application, Clerk staff will witness your signature and notarize it for an additional fee.
Who signs the bond if I use personal sureties?
Both personal sureties who signed your original notary bond must appear in person to sign the bond under your new name. If you used an insurance company bond, file a rider bond showing the name change from the company that issued the original.
Do I have to take an oath after changing my name as a notary?
Yes. After the Secretary of State issues the new commission, the County Clerk notifies you to appear in person before the County Clerk to take your Oath of Office. You receive the commission only after that step.
Is there a fee to change the name on a notary commission?
Yes. The instructions require a recording fee, and an additional fee applies if Clerk staff must notarize your unsigned application. Ask the Rutherford County Clerk at (615) 898-7800 for the current amounts.
Can I fill out the notary name change application online?
You can complete the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Rutherford County, does not file the application and does not notarize it; you bring it to the County Clerk's office yourself.
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