What occurs if a notary public's commission expires before they submit their renewal application?

When a notary public's commission expires, the individual is no longer authorized to perform notarial acts. Therefore, for a notary whose commission has expired, the only option is to submit a new application to obtain a new commission. This process typically requires the individual to meet all the initial requirements again, as an expired commission means they cannot simply renew their credentials.

Renewal applications are generally designed to be submitted while the commission is still active. If the commission has already expired, it signals that the notary has allowed their authorization to lapse, and thus, a fresh application must be completed rather than a renewal process. This approach ensures that the notary has met the current standards and requirements set by the state for notaries.