What determines the jurisdiction of a Notary Public in Pennsylvania?

The jurisdiction of a Notary Public in Pennsylvania is primarily determined by the state of commission. This means that once a Notary Public is commissioned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, they have jurisdiction throughout the entire state, regardless of their specific county of residence. Therefore, a Notary can perform their duties anywhere within Pennsylvania as long as they are acting within the scope of their official capacity.

The answer highlights the significance of a state commission, which grants Notaries the authority to notarize documents statewide rather than being limited by geographical boundaries such as county or local government jurisdictions. This state-wide authority is critical for Notaries to perform their functions effectively, as it allows them to serve individuals and entities located in different areas of the state, ensuring accessibility to notarial services.

While other options might hint at jurisdictional factors, they do not encompass the entirety of what establishes a Notary's legal authority. A Notary's residence county and local government regulations do not define their jurisdiction in a broad legal sense within Pennsylvania. Similarly, working in various states does not confer authority outside of the Notary's commission from Pennsylvania. Thus, the state of commission is the definitive factor in determining a Notary's jurisdiction in the Commonwealth.