Indiana Notary Bond— $25,000 Bond • 8-Year Commission
Indiana requires one of the highest notary bonds and offers one of the longest commission terms in the country. The $25,000 surety bond per IC 33-42-12-1 covers a full 8-year term. Some websites incorrectly show a 4-year term — the statute is clear: it's 8 years. Learn what a surety bond is, explore all notary bond requirements by state, or read how to get a surety bond.
Never pay until your bond is filed — instant quote, no upfront cost
- Who requires it: Indiana law (IC 33-42-12-1); the bond and oath are filed with the Secretary of State within 14 days of appointment.
- Amount: $25,000 for an 8-year commission term.
- Typical cost (estimate): about $40–$75 for the full 8-year commission term. The surety sets the final price.
- Timing: Same-day submission; most quotes within one business day.
Indiana Notary Bond Premium by Credit Score
Based on a $25,000 bond amount
- Excellent (720+)Rate: 0.5-1%$40-50
- Good (660-719)Rate: 1-2%$50-75
- Fair (600-659)Rate: 2-4%$75-150
- Below Average (500-599)Rate: 4-8%$150-300
- Poor (below 500)Rate: 8-15%$300-600
Premium covers the full 8-year commission term — not annual. Most Indiana applicants pay $40-75 total for the entire 8 years.
Try our notary bond calculator for a quick estimate. See surety bond cost guide and notary bond costs by state. Compare with cash deposit alternatives.
What Does It Actually Cost to Become an Indiana Notary?
Every fee you'll pay, broken down. For broader bond pricing context, see our surety bond cost guide and surety bond basics. Indiana residents can purchase notary and other bonds from our surety bond specialists you can trust.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (via INBiz) | $75 |
| $25,000 surety bond (8-year term) | ~$40-75 |
| ISP background check | $16.32 |
| Total (upfront) | ~$131-166 |
| + Continuing education (3 courses over 8 years) | $150 |
| + RON authorization (optional) | $100 |
Filing Process — 14-Day Deadline
Per IC 33-42-12-3(c), your bond and oath must be filed with the Secretary of State within 14 days. Indiana uses the INBiz portal for all notary applications.
Apply via INBiz Portal
Pay the $75 fee, which unlocks the mandatory education course and exam. Complete the ~2-hour self-paced course.
Pass the 30-Question Exam
Multiple choice and true/false, 80% passing score (24/30). Taken online through INBiz after completing the course.
Get Background Check
Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record — $16.32. Must be no older than 30 days at application date. Request reason: "candidate for public office."
Purchase Your $25,000 Bond
Get an instant quote through BuySuretyBonds.com. Must be from a surety licensed in Indiana. Freehold bonds no longer permitted since July 1, 2018.
File Bond + Oath with SOS
Upload via INBiz within 14 days. Take the oath or certify under penalty of perjury via the application form.
Begin Notarizing
Your 8-year commission is effective. Max $10/act in-person, $25/act RON. Complete 3 CE courses over your commission term.
Official Indiana Requirements
"A notary commission is valid for eight (8) years after its effective date. An applicant shall post a corporate surety bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)."Indiana General Assembly • IC 33-42-12-1
$25,000 Indiana Bond — 8 Years of Coverage from ~$40
Instant quote, many notary bonds don’t require a credit check, file with INBiz in minutes.
Get Your Bond NowP.L.130-2024: Seal Change
Effective July 1, 2024, P.L.130-2024 removed the requirement that the word “seal” appear on your notary stamp. Your stamp must still include: name, commission number, expiration date, “notary public,” and “state of Indiana” — but the word “seal” is no longer mandatory per IC 33-42-10-2.
Disqualification
Sentence > 6 months: Any criminal conviction with a sentence exceeding 6 months (including probation/house arrest) is disqualifying, regardless of crime type.
Fraud/dishonesty: Any conviction or civil ruling involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud — regardless of sentence length.
Expungement available: Applicants may petition for expungement to clear disqualifying convictions.
Source: IC 33-42-13-3; IC 5-8-3-1
RON Authorization
Fee: $100 (non-refundable, separate from commission)
Prerequisite: Active commission with 90+ days remaining, all CE current
Process: Apply via INBiz → complete RON course + exam → select SOS-approved vendor → vendor approves you → SOS issues authorization
Max RON fee: $25/act (IC 33-42-17-9)
Recording: Mandatory A/V, retained 10+ years
Compare with neighboring states: Illinois notary bond ($5K-$30K, 4 years), Ohio notary bond (no bond for standard), Michigan notary bond ($10K, 6-7 years), Kentucky notary bond ($1K, 4 years), Wisconsin notary bond ($500, lowest in US), Missouri notary bond ($10K, 80% exam). See all bond types, the notary bond hub, or learn what a surety bond is. Understand bond vs. E&O insurance, explore types of surety bonds, and read the surety bond glossary.
Watch: Indiana Notary Bond — $25,000 (8-year term)
Indiana has the longest notary commission in the nation — 8 years — and one of the higher bonds at $25,000. An 80% exam is required. Here's the full Indiana notary process.
Key moments in this video
Indiana Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Indiana notary commission really 8 years?
Yes. Per IC 33-42-12-1(f), "A notary commission is valid for eight (8) years after its effective date." This is one of the longest commission terms in the United States — most states use 4-year terms. Some websites incorrectly state 4 years. Upon renewal, your commission extends 8 years from the expiration date of the current commission per IC 33-42-12-1(g).
How much does the Indiana notary bond cost?
The $25,000 bond typically costs $40-$75 for the full 8-year term — not annually. Most applicants qualify for the lower end. A credit check is usually not required for standard notary bonds. The total out-of-pocket to become an Indiana notary is approximately $131-$166: $75 application fee + $40-$75 bond + $16.32 background check. For general pricing, see /surety-bond-cost/.
What is the 14-day filing deadline?
Per IC 33-42-12-3(c), your bond and oath of office must be filed with the Secretary of State within 14 days of appointment. Indiana uses the INBiz portal (inbiz.in.gov) for online filing. Missing this deadline can void your commission.
What changed with the P.L.130-2024 seal amendment?
Effective July 1, 2024, P.L.130-2024 removed the requirement that the word "seal" appear on your notary stamp. Your seal must still include: your name, commission number, expiration date, "notary public," and "state of Indiana" — but the word "seal" itself is no longer mandatory per the amended IC 33-42-10-2.
What exam do Indiana notaries need to pass?
Indiana requires a 30-question multiple choice/true-false exam with a minimum passing score of 80% (24/30). The course and exam are accessed through the INBiz portal after paying the $75 application fee. The course is approximately 2 hours and self-paced. This has been mandatory since July 1, 2020.
What are the continuing education requirements?
Indiana requires 3 continuing education courses over your 8-year commission term — approximately one every 2 years. Each course costs $50 and covers notary duties, proper seal use, record-keeping, and state rules. Failure to complete CE can affect your commission validity.
How much can Indiana notaries charge per act?
IC 33-42-14-1 sets a maximum of $10 per notarial act (each signature notarized counts as one act). For remote online notarizations, the maximum is $25 per act per IC 33-42-17-9. Travel fees are permitted but cannot exceed federal GSA rates. You must display your fee schedule or advise signers before the act.
How much is a notary bond in Indiana?
The $25,000 Indiana notary bond typically costs $40-75 for the full 8-year commission term — one of the best values nationally since most states only offer 4-year terms. This is a one-time premium, not annual. Many notary bonds don’t require a credit check, and you pay nothing until your bond is issued. Total out-of-pocket to become an Indiana notary is approximately $131-166 including the $75 application fee and $16.32 background check. See our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.
How do I get my Indiana notary bond filed?
Purchase your $25,000 bond online through BuySuretyBonds.com for an instant quote. After receiving your bond, file it with the Secretary of State through the INBiz portal at inbiz.in.gov within 14 days of appointment per IC 33-42-12-3(c). Missing the 14-day deadline can void your commission. Indiana uses online filing exclusively through INBiz for all notary bond and oath submissions.
Who needs an Indiana notary bond?
Indiana notaries public. It is required by Indiana law (IC 33-42-12-1); the bond and oath are filed with the Secretary of State within 14 days of appointment. The bond amount is $25,000 for an 8-year commission term.
What happens after I apply?
A licensed agent submits your application the same day it arrives; most quotes come back within one business day. The carrier decides approval and the final premium, and you pay only when your bond is issued.
Official Indiana Sources
Track state bond law changes: 2025–2026 state bond changes. Need other bond types? See Indiana contractor license bonds, Indiana auto dealer bonds, or browse all bond types.
INBiz — Notary Application
Online application, course, exam
IC 33-42-12-1 (Bond + Term)
$25,000 bond, 8-year commission
IC 33-42-14-1 (Fee Schedule)
$10 max per notarial act
IC 33-42-17-9 (RON Fees)
$25 max per RON act
IC 33-42-10-2 (Seal)
Amended by P.L.130-2024
IC 33-42-13 (Disqualification)
Criminal conviction rules
Estimate Your Indiana Notary Bond Premium
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Other Indiana Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Indiana
Contractor licensing
DMV dealer licensing
NMLS mortgage licensing
All bond types
Construction & service contracts
Executors, administrators & guardians
FMCSA broker authority
Nearby States
Notary bonds in neighboring states
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
8 Years of Protection from ~$40
$25,000 Indiana notary bond • Instant quote • File within 14 days via INBiz