Alabama Notary BondAct 2023-548 Changed Everything
Act 2023-548 doubled Alabama's notary bond from $25,000 to $50,000 effective September 1, 2023. Alabama is also unique: commissions are handled by your county probate judge, not the Secretary of State. Free mandatory training, no exam, and the highest standard notary bond requirement in the country. No credit check required for most applicants.
$0 upfront — pay only when your bond is issued
Get Your $50,000 Alabama Bond
Doubled in 2023 via Act 2023-548
Everything That Changed Under Act 2023-548
Effective September 1, 2023, this act overhauled Alabama's notary system. Understanding how surety bonds work helps contextualize the bond increase. See our surety bond glossary for key terms, and types of surety bonds to compare Alabama's notary bond to other bond categories.
Bond: $25K → $50,000
The highest standard notary bond in the US. Must be from an Alabama-licensed surety producer.
Commission Fee: $10 → $25
Paid to your county probate judge upon commissioning.
New $10 Application Fee
Added for the first time — separate from the commission fee.
Notarial Act Fee: $5 → $10
Maximum per notarial act doubled per amended §36-20-72.
Mandatory Training
Free online course from APJA + Alabama Law Institute. Must complete within 30 days of application. Attorneys exempt.
Updated Disqualification Rules
Added application denial grounds: wrong county, false info, bankruptcy, adjudicated incapacity, failure to complete training.
Alabama Notary Bond Increase
Bond Requirement Increase
Previous Requirement
$25,000
New Requirement
$50,000
Notaries commissioned before September 1, 2023 keep their $25,000 bond until renewal. New applicants and renewals require $50,000.
The County Probate Judge System
Unlike most states where the Secretary of State handles notary commissions, Alabama uses a county-based system. You apply to the Judge of Probate in your county of residence. This means fees, processing times, and procedures vary by county. For a comparison of filing methods across states, see notary bond requirements by state. Learn how to get a surety bond for a general step-by-step guide.
Alabama County Probate Office Fees (Sample)
| County | Recording/Filing Fee | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County | ~$75.25 total | madisoncountyal.gov |
| Montgomery County | ~$59 total | montgomeryprobatecourtal.gov |
| Autauga County | ~$58 total | Contact probate office |
| Blount County | ~$55 total | Contact probate office |
| Jefferson County | Varies | jeffcoprobatecourt.com |
| Mobile County | Varies | probate.mobilecountyal.gov |
All counties charge the $10 application fee + $25 commission fee mandated by §36-20-70. Recording/filing fees are additional and vary by county.
How Much Does an Alabama Notary Bond Cost?
The $50,000 Alabama notary bond typically costs $35–$100 for the full 4-year commission term. No credit check required for most applicants — most notary bonds are flat-rate. This covers your entire commission period with no annual renewals. For a detailed breakdown, see our surety bond cost guide or use the notary bond calculator. Check notary bond costs by state to see how Alabama compares. Alabama professionals can also browse all surety bonds at BuySuretyBonds.com.
How to Get Your Alabama Notary Commission
Apply at Your County Probate Office
Visit the Judge of Probate in your county of residence. Bring the completed application form (available at alpja.org). You must apply in the county where you reside — applying to the wrong county is grounds for denial.
Complete Free APJA Training
Within 30 days of submitting your application, complete the free online course at alpja.org. Course covers appointment, authority, duties, legal and ethical responsibilities. Includes section quizzes. Attorneys are exempt.
Purchase Your $50,000 Bond
Get instant approval through BuySuretyBonds.com. Must be from a surety licensed in Alabama. Download your bond certificate to bring to the probate office. Unsure of cost? Use our notary bond calculator.
Take Oath Before Probate Judge
Appear in person at the probate office. Present your training certificate and bond. Take the oath of office administered by the Judge of Probate. Pay the $10 application fee + $25 commission fee + county recording fee.
Begin Notarizing
Your 4-year commission is effective statewide. Maximum fee: $10 per notarial act (§36-20-72). The SOS will mail your commission certificate.
Official Alabama Requirements
"Every person appointed as a notary public shall give bond in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) payable to the State of Alabama, with a surety company authorized to do business in this state."Alabama Secretary of State • Code of Alabama §36-20-70 (as amended by Act 2023-548)
Get Your $50,000 Alabama Notary Bond
Instant approval, no credit check, download before visiting your probate judge.
Get Your Bond NowEligibility (§36-20-70)
- At least 18 years old
- Alabama resident
- Must be able to read and write
- No felony conviction
- No crime of moral turpitude
- Not in bankruptcy proceedings
- Not adjudicated incapacitated
- Complete APJA training within 30 days
RON in Alabama
Alabama permits remote online notarization under §36-20-73.1.
Unique rule: The signer must use an original physical document with wet-ink signature — e-signatures by the principal are NOT permitted.
Identity: Personal knowledge OR two valid government IDs on video + KBA.
Recording: Mandatory A/V, retained 7 years.
Restriction: RON prohibited for voting-related documents.
Enforcement (§36-20-75)
The probate judge has authority to warn, restrict, suspend, or revoke your commission.
Class C misdemeanor: Basic notary violations.
Class D felony: Serious violations (fraud, falsification).
Alabama's probate judges actively enforce these provisions — this isn't a paper statute.
Compare with neighbors: Florida ($7.5K-$25K), Tennessee ($10K), Mississippi ($25K), Georgia notary bond. See all bond types, check our notary requirements by state, or read about bond vs. insurance. Use the notary bond cost calculator to estimate your premium. Compare bond vs. cash deposit options.
Alabama Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Alabama double the notary bond to $50,000?
Act 2023-548 (Senate Bill 322) increased the bond from $25,000 to $50,000 effective September 1, 2023 to provide greater public protection. The same act also raised the commission fee from $10 to $25, added a $10 application fee, increased the maximum notarial act fee from $5 to $10, and introduced mandatory training for all applicants.
Why do I file with a probate judge instead of the Secretary of State?
Alabama uses a county-based notary commission system — unique among most states. You apply to and are commissioned by the Judge of Probate in your county of residence. The probate judge administers the oath, accepts your bond, and processes your application. The Secretary of State maintains records and mails commission certificates, but the probate judge is your primary authority.
Is the Alabama notary training really free?
Yes. The mandatory training course is developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association (APJA) and the Alabama Law Institute and is available free online at alpja.org. You must complete it within 30 days of submitting your application. Failing to complete it results in application denial. Attorneys are exempt from the training requirement.
Do existing Alabama notaries with $25,000 bonds need to upgrade?
Not immediately. Notaries who were commissioned before September 1, 2023 may keep their $25,000 bond until their current 4-year commission expires. Upon renewal, the new $50,000 bond is required. All new applicants since September 1, 2023 must obtain the $50,000 bond.
How much does the Alabama notary bond cost?
The $50,000 bond typically costs $35-$100 for the full 4-year commission term, depending on your surety provider. No credit check is required for most applicants. Total government fees: $10 application fee + $25 commission fee + county recording (~$40-$75 depending on county). For general pricing, see /surety-bond-cost/.
What are the criminal penalties for Alabama notary violations?
Per §36-20-75, the probate judge can warn, restrict, suspend, or revoke a commission. Criminal violations are punishable as a Class C misdemeanor for basic offenses or a Class D felony for serious violations. Felony convictions and crimes of moral turpitude are disqualifying under §36-20-70.
How much is a notary bond in Alabama?
The $50,000 Alabama notary bond — the highest standard notary bond in the nation — typically costs $35-100 for the full 4-year commission term. Most applicants qualify for the lower end with no credit check required. You pay nothing until your bond is issued. Despite the large bond amount, the premium remains affordable because surety companies assess risk, not just bond size. See our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.
How do I get a notary bond in Alabama?
Purchase your $50,000 bond online through BuySuretyBonds.com for instant approval. After receiving your bond certificate, bring it to the Judge of Probate in your county of residence along with your APJA training completion certificate. The probate judge administers the oath, accepts your bond, and processes your application per Code of Alabama §36-20-70. Total government fees: $10 application + $25 commission + county recording ($40-75).
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks full reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you — it covers your legal defense and settlement costs. Most Alabama notaries carry both. Learn more in our bond vs. insurance comparison.
More Surety Bond Resources
Official Alabama Sources
Alabama SOS — Notaries
Overview, training, commission info
Act 2023-548 (Full Text)
Bond increase + all 2023 changes
APJA Training Course (Free)
Mandatory online training
§36-20-70 (Bond/Eligibility)
$50,000 bond, fees, denial grounds
§36-20-73.1 (RON)
Remote online notarization rules
§36-20-75 (Enforcement)
Penalties and commission revocation
Other Alabama Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Alabama
Alabama's Highest-in-the-Nation Notary Bond
$50,000 bond • Free training • File with your county probate judge