In addition to taking the oath of office and recording the oath, completed bond and commission in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, notaries also must register their signature with the Prothonotary of the county wherein the notary public maintains an office within 45 days after appointment or reappointment. For counties of the second class, the appropriate office to register the notary signature is the office of the Clerk of Courts.  Starting January 3, 2023, applicants may register their signature in the office of Recorder of Deeds instead of the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts.

If a notary public subsequently moves their business/office address to another county, the notary must register their signature in the new county within 30 days.

When registering a signature, the notary public must sign the notary public's name exactly and only as it appears on the commission.

If the signature registration and recording requirements are not met within the 45-day period, the notary commission becomes null and void. Applicants must then begin the process again by submitting a new application, the application fee and meeting all other requirements for appointment to a new commission and a new appointment date.