To be appointed as a notary public, an individual must: 1. Be at least 18 years old; 2.You'll need to complete a Notary training course as part of the application process. Complete and print an application form, using the online Notary Application Wizard. In Maryland, an individual who wishes to be commissioned as a notary public must complete an application on the Office of the Secretary of State's website. 1. Review the application requirements carefully. In Maryland, an individual who wishes to be commissioned as a notary public may obtain an application from Office of the Secretary of State. Here, you can learn how to become a notary, how to renew your notary commission, and where to find educational opportunities for notaries public. 1. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements to become a notary in Virginia (see below). 2. Complete and print the Virginia Notary Application.