Notary Public at Large Application - New or Renewal – Rutherford County, TN

The Notary Public at Large Application - New or Renewal is the Rutherford County Clerk's application for a commission as a Notary Public for the State of Tennessee. The printed form is titled "Notary Public for the State of Tennessee Application, Rutherford County, Tennessee."

The applicant gives a name exactly as it should appear on the commission, bond and seal, plus contact details, date of birth, whether the application is new or a renewal (with the present expiration date), the type of bond and answers to eight yes-or-no questions. The applicant swears or affirms under penalties of perjury that the statements are true and signs before a notary public.

The Clerk presents a properly completed application to the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners at its next available meeting. If it is approved, the Clerk asks the Secretary of State to print the notary certificate. The applicant then files a surety bond, and the commission certificate is issued once the stated requirements are complete.

The form's instructions add three facts about the office itself. The term is four years. A Tennessee notary may notarize anywhere in the State of Tennessee. The notary must keep a record in a well-bound book of their acts, citing 2014 Tennessee Public Acts, ch. 805.

People who want to become a Notary Public for the State of Tennessee through the Rutherford County Clerk, and notaries renewing an existing commission, use this application. The instructions set these conditions:

• The applicant must reside in Rutherford County or have their principal place of business there.
• The applicant must be 18 or older and meet the constitutional and legal qualifications to hold office in the state.
• The form states that Tennessee law requires the applicant to be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident, and asks for proof of citizenship or residency.

The instructions list who is not qualified:

• A person convicted of offering or giving a bribe, dueling, larceny or another offense declared infamous by law, unless citizenship has been restored.
• A person with an unpaid judgment for money received in an official capacity and due to the United States, Tennessee or any Tennessee county.
• A defaulter to the Treasury at the time of election.
• A soldier, seaman, marine or airman in the regular army, navy or air force of the United States, or a member of Congress.
• A person holding any office of profit or trust under a foreign power, another state or the United States.

Taking office while a disqualification exists is a Class C misdemeanor.

Applications must be received by the close of business on the day before the regularly scheduled County Commission meeting. There is no County Commission meeting in July. A properly completed application is considered at the next available meeting, so a late application waits for a later one.

The form has no separate renewal deadline. A renewing notary checks RENEWAL–PRESENT EXPIRATION DATE and enters the current expiration date. The term of a Tennessee notary is four years.

After approval, the Clerk's office notifies you by email when it is time to secure and file your surety bond. If you use personal sureties, both must appear in person at the Clerk's office to sign the bond once the Clerk emails that your commission has been received.

Submit the completed, notarized application with payment to the Rutherford County Clerk, who accepts notarized applications only. The instructions give no mailing or online channel; they name the Clerk's office and its phone numbers.

• Clerk's office: Rutherford County Clerk, 319 North Maple Street, Suite 121, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130, phone (615) 898-7800. The application header also lists a Smyrna phone number, 615-459-9692.
• Payment: it must accompany the completed application and be made payable to RUTHERFORD COUNTY CLERK. A fee applies; ask the Clerk's office for the current amount.
• Unsigned application: if you arrive without a notarized signature, Clerk's staff will witness your signature and notarize it for an additional fee.
• Bond: after approval, file your surety bond in person at 319 North Maple Street, Murfreesboro, TN, when the Clerk emails you.

The Clerk's forms page lists office hours of 8AM–4PM Monday–Thursday and 8AM–5PM Friday for the Murfreesboro, Blackman and Smyrna offices. Provide an accurate email address, because the Clerk notifies you by email. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.