United States Notary Public Bond Requirements: Complete 51-Jurisdiction Analysis
Verified requirements for all 50 states + District of Columbia as of October 31, 2025
Research Date: October 31, 2025 | Document Version: 1.0
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This comprehensive research document provides verified notary public surety bond requirements for all 51 U.S. jurisdictions as of October 31, 2025. The analysis reveals significant variation in state approaches to notary bonding, with bond amounts ranging from $500 to $50,000 among the 30 jurisdictions requiring bonds, while 21 jurisdictions require no bond whatsoever.
Key Findings:
- 30 jurisdictions require notary bonds (59%)
- 21 jurisdictions require no bonds (41%)
- Bond amounts range: $500 (Wisconsin) to $50,000 (Alabama, Louisiana)
- Recent trend: Three states eliminated bond requirements since 2018; two states dramatically increased to $50,000
- RON impact: Only three states require enhanced bonds specifically for Remote Online Notarization
Recent Changes:
A notary surety bond is a financial guarantee that protects the public, not the notary. Notary bonds ensure that notaries public perform their duties ethically and according to law, providing financial recourse for individuals harmed by notarial misconduct.
Three-Party Structure
Principal (Notary Public)
- • Purchases the bond
- • Promises to perform duties properly
- • Liable for reimbursing surety for claims paid
Obligee (State/Public)
- • Protected party
- • Can file claims for misconduct
- • Receives compensation up to bond limit
Surety (Bonding Company)
- • Issues the bond
- • Guarantees payment of valid claims
- • Seeks reimbursement from notary
Critical Distinction: Bond vs. Insurance
Notary bonds are NOT insurance. Key differences:
| Notary Bond | Errors & Omissions Insurance |
|---|---|
| Protects the public | Protects the notary |
| Notary must reimburse surety | Insurance pays without reimbursement |
| Mandatory in 30 states | Optional in most states |
| Lower cost ($35-$100 for term) | Higher cost ($100-$500+ annually) |
What Bonds Cover
Common violations covered by notary bonds include:
- Improper notarization without personal appearance (most common violation)
- Failure to properly identify signers
- Notarizing documents with blank spaces
- Conflicts of interest (notarizing own signature or for family)
- Fraudulent or negligent acts
- Backdating or forward-dating notarizations
- False certificate completion
- Improper seal usage
Highest$50,000 Bond Requirement
Alabama
$50,000Commission Term: 4 years
Effective Date: September 1, 2023 (Act 2023-548)
Recent Change: Doubled from $25,000 to $50,000 - tied for highest nationally
Additional Requirements: Mandatory pre-commission training, increased fees from $5 to $10, enhanced enforcement, background checks
Attorney Exemption: Licensed attorneys exempt from training requirements
Legal Authority: Alabama Code §§ 36-20-70 to 36-20-75
Louisiana
Commission Term: Lifetime (bond renewal every 5 years)
Effective Date: February 1, 2026 (HB 259, Acts 2025, No. 258)
Critical Change: Quintuples bond from $10,000 to $50,000 (400% increase) - most dramatic change nationwide
Requirements: Eliminates E&O insurance alternative; all currently commissioned notaries must comply by Feb 1, 2026
Attorney Exemption: Licensed attorneys exempt from bond and exam requirements
Legal Authority: Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 35:71; Acts 2025, No. 258
$25,000 Bond Requirement
Indiana
$25,000Commission Term: 8 years
Continuing Education: $50 course every 2 years (3 courses per term)
Additional: Criminal history check required ($16.32), RON authorization $100 fee
Legal Authority: Indiana Code 33-42-0.5-4
Montana
$25,000Commission Term: 4 years
Requirements: Mandatory 4-hour education course and exam (50 questions, 80% pass, 3 attempts)
Additional: Mandatory journal for all acts with 10-year retention
Legal Authority: Montana Code Annotated 1-5-405
Complete state-by-state requirements: Alaska ($2,500), Arizona ($5,000/$25,000 RON), Arkansas ($7,500), California ($15,000/$25,000 RON), Florida ($7,500/$25,000+E&O RON), Hawaii ($1,000), Idaho ($10,000), Illinois ($5,000/$30,000 RON), Kansas ($12,000), Kentucky ($1,000), Michigan ($10,000), Mississippi ($5,000), Missouri ($10,000), Nebraska ($15,000), Nevada ($10,000), New Mexico ($10,000), North Dakota ($7,500), Ohio (special case), Oklahoma ($1,000), Pennsylvania ($10,000), Tennessee ($10,000), Texas ($10,000), Utah ($5,000/$10,000 RON), Washington ($10,000), Washington DC ($2,000), Wisconsin ($500 - lowest nationally).
Recent Bond Eliminations (Streamlining Trend)
South Dakota (2025): HB 1133 eliminated $5,000 requirement effective July 1, 2025. Secretary of State: "streamlines the notary process and removes a barrier."
Wyoming (2021): SF0029 eliminated $500 requirement. Changed commission term from 4 to 6 years. Bonds remain optional for personal protection.
West Virginia (2018): HB 4207 eliminated $1,000 requirement. Implemented online applications.
As of October 2025, 47 states and the District of Columbia have enacted remote e-notarization laws. However, only three states require separate or enhanced bonds specifically for Remote Online Notarization, while the vast majority cover RON under standard notary bonds.
Florida: Most Comprehensive RON Protection
Requirements: $25,000 surety bond + $25,000 mandatory E&O insurance = $50,000 total coverage
National Distinction: Only state requiring mandatory E&O insurance for RON notaries
Additional: State-approved technology provider, completion of training, $10 registration fee
Legal Authority: Florida Statutes § 117.265(6)
Illinois: Highest RON-Specific Bond
Requirements: $5,000 (traditional) / $30,000 (RON or electronic)
Structure: Single $30,000 bond covering all types (most common), or $5,000 + $25,000 additional
National Distinction: $30,000 represents the highest RON-specific bond requirement nationwide
Legal Authority: 5 ILCS 312/2-101.5
Utah: Additional RON Bond
Requirements: $5,000 (standard) / $10,000 total (RON)
Structure: Additional $5,000 required for RON via bond rider or separate bond
Requirements: Both bonds must be renewed when commission renews
Legal Authority: Utah Code Title 46 Chapter 1
Note: 40+ other RON-authorized states cover RON under standard bond requirements with no additional bond needed. Major states like Texas ($10,000 standard), Virginia (no bond), Montana ($25,000 standard), Nevada ($10,000 standard), and Arizona ($5,000 standard for electronic generally) cover both traditional and RON notarizations under their existing bond structures.
Primary Official Government Sources:
- Secretary of State websites (48 states)
- Lieutenant Governor offices (Alaska, Utah)
- Department of Financial Institutions (Wisconsin)
- Office of Notary Commissioning and Authentication (Washington, DC)
- Official state statute databases for all 51 jurisdictions
Professional Associations:
- National Notary Association (nationalnotary.org)
- American Society of Notaries (asnnotary.org)
- National Association of Secretaries of State (nass.org)
Methodology:
All information was verified through official .gov sources as the primary documentation method. Cross-referenced with professional associations and licensed surety bond providers. Legislative changes tracked through state legislative tracking systems, Secretary of State press releases, and official statute citations.
Document Information: Research completed October 31, 2025 | Geographic coverage: All 51 U.S. jurisdictions | Verification: Primary official government sources with secondary cross-reference
Disclaimer: This document is intended as an authoritative research compilation of publicly available information regarding notary bond requirements. It does not constitute legal advice. Individuals should verify current requirements with their state's commissioning authority before applying for notary commissions. Requirements are subject to change through legislative action.