How to Become a Notary Public

Becoming a notary public is relatively straightforward in most states, though requirements vary significantly from state to state. Whether you want to notarize documents as a side income, serve your employer, or build a mobile notary business, here is what the process typically involves.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Most states require notary applicants to meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a legal resident of the state (or have a place of employment there)
• Not have certain criminal convictions
• Be able to read and write English

Some states have additional requirements — for example, California requires completion of a state-approved notary education course and passing a state examination.

The Application Process

While the specific steps vary by state, the typical process includes the following:

• Complete any required education or training — several states (including California, Colorado, Florida, and Montana) require a state-approved notary course before applying
• Pass a state exam where required — California, New York, and a handful of other states require a written examination
• Submit your application — typically filed with the Secretary of State's office, along with an application fee (usually $10–$100 depending on the state)
• Obtain a surety bond — most states require a notary bond ($5,000–$15,000 coverage) to protect the public from errors; bond premiums typically cost $30–$100 for a 4-year term
• Take your oath of office — after your commission is approved, file your oath (and sometimes your bond) with the appropriate county office
• Purchase your notary supplies — an official stamp or seal and a notary journal are required or strongly recommended in most states

Requirements by State — Commission Term, Bond, Exam, and Cost

This is the single biggest source of confusion about becoming a notary: there is no national process, and the differences aren't small. Louisiana grants a lifetime commission (renewed by re-filing a $50,000 bond every 5 years, not by reapplying); Delaware issues just a 2-year initial term. Wisconsin's bond is $500; Louisiana's and Alabama's are $50,000. Twenty-three states — including New York, Massachusetts, and Georgia — require no bond at all. The total startup cost genuinely ranges from about $30 (Vermont) to nearly $600 (California, which is also one of only 18 states requiring a state exam). Confirm your own state's row below, then verify it against your Secretary of State before applying — this is dated and sourced, but state legislatures amend these figures periodically.

"Approx. Total Cost" bundles the application fee, bond premium (not the full bond coverage amount — a $10,000 bond typically costs $50–$100 in annual premium, not $10,000 out of pocket), required training course, and supplies, sourced per state from the National Notary Association's own state-by-state cost tables. Where a state requires no bond and no training, the cost is mostly just the application fee and a stamp.

Career Opportunities

Many notaries work part-time or occasionally alongside another career, notarizing documents for employers, neighbors, or clients. However, building a mobile notary or loan signing agent business can be lucrative — particularly in active real estate markets where loan signing appointments pay $75–$200 each. A full-time loan signing agent in a major metro area can complete several appointments per day, making it a viable primary income.