Missouri Notary Bond$10,000 • 80% Exam • Two Deadlines That Trip Up New Notaries
Missouri requires an in-person appearance at your county clerk plus a 7-day mailing deadline that catches first-timers off guard. The $10,000 bond per RSMo §486.615 must be from a licensed Missouri surety. If your bond is exhausted by claims, your commission is automatically suspended. And unlike most states, you must pass an 80% exam. Learn what a surety bond is, explore all notary bond requirements, or read how to get a surety bond.
County-clerk-ready guarantee: your Missouri bond arrives with dates pre-matched to your commission so the county clerk accepts it and you stay within the 7-day mailing window.
Get Your $10,000 Missouri Bond
4-year term • Instant approval
Missouri Notary Qualification Process
Missouri has a multi-step process with an in-person county clerk visit AND a 7-day mailing deadline. You have 60 days from commission issue to qualify. Source: MO SOS — Qualifying. See notary bond requirements by state and surety bond requirements.
Study + Pass the 80% Exam
Read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook (free at sos.mo.gov) OR complete SOS-prescribed training, then pass the exam. Required for both new and renewal applicants per RSMo §486.605.
Apply + Pay $25 to SOS
Submit application online or by mail marked "new" or "reappointment." $25 fee payable to Secretary of State.
Purchase Your $10,000 Bond
Get instant approval through BuySuretyBonds.com. Must be from a licensed Missouri surety. Bond dates must match your commission dates exactly.
Qualify at County Clerk (60 days)
Appear in person at the county clerk in your county of residence or regular place of business. Present your bond. County clerk administers the oath and you provide a handwritten signature specimen. Pay county fee ($3-$6.50).
Mail Oath + Bond to SOS (7 days)
Postmark within 7 days of oath date. Include oath, bond, and surety's power of attorney. Mail to: Secretary of State, 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Begin Notarizing
Commission effective after SOS processes filing. Maintain your journal (10-year retention). New seal required for each commission term.
Missouri's Unique Compliance Rules
The 7-Day Mailing Rule (§486.620)
After taking the oath at the county clerk, you must mail the oath and bond to the SOS with a postmark not exceeding 7 days from the oath date. This is a compliance requirement that no competitor warns about.
Mail to: Secretary of State, 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101. Or call (573) 751-2783 / toll-free (866) 223-6535 option 3.
Bond Exhaustion = Automatic Suspension
Per RSMo §486.615, if claims against your bond exhaust the $10,000, the Secretary shall suspend your commission until you obtain a new bond AND your fitness to serve is determined. The surety must report all claims to the SOS.
This is unique — most states don't have explicit bond exhaustion suspension provisions. Understanding the difference between a bond and E&O insurance is critical here. See also bond vs. cash deposit and the surety bond glossary.
Official Missouri Requirements
"Each notary public shall maintain a surety bond in the sum of ten thousand dollars, executed by a surety licensed in this state, conditioned on the faithful performance of all notarial acts."Missouri Secretary of State • RSMo §486.615
Missouri Notary Bond Premium by Credit
Based on a $10,000 bond amount
- Excellent (720+)Rate: 1-2%$25-40
- Good (660-719)Rate: 2-3%$40-55
- Fair (600-659)Rate: 3-5%$55-100
- Below Average (500-599)Rate: 5-8%$100-200
- Poor (below 500)Rate: 8-15%$200-375
Premium covers the full 4-year commission. Most MO applicants pay $30-50 total. No credit check for standard notary bonds.
Try our notary bond calculator. Full pricing guide at surety bond cost. Compare notary bond costs by state.
How Much Does a Missouri Notary Bond Cost?
The $10,000 Missouri notary bond typically costs $30–50 for the full 4-year term. Most notary bonds are flat-rate with no credit check. See our surety bond cost guide or notary bond calculator.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks reimbursement from you. E&O insurance protects you — covering legal defense and settlements. Most Missouri notaries carry both. Missouri's mandatory bond exhaustion suspension makes this distinction especially important. See our bond vs. insurance guide.
Get Your Missouri Notary Bond
$10,000 bond, instant approval. Have it ready for your county clerk visit.
Get Your Bond NowEligibility (RSMo §486.605)
- Age 18+
- Missouri resident OR regular place of work/business in MO
- Legal U.S. resident
- Read and write English
- No commission revoked in MO (5 years) or any state (non-residents, 5 years)
- No felony/dishonesty/moral turpitude conviction (5 years)
- Pass 80% exam
Revocation (RSMo §486.645)
Mandatory revocation: Loss of MO residency/work nexus or U.S. legal resident status.
Discretionary: Material misstatement on application, felony/official misconduct conviction, fraud adjudication, false advertising, failure to comply with Chapter 486.
Immediate suspension: SOS may suspend via certified mail if situation has serious unlawful effect on the general public.
Notary has right to notice, hearing, and appeal before revocation.
RON Since Aug 2020
Missouri authorized RON August 28, 2020 via the Revised Notary Act.
Same $10,000 bond — no separate RON bond required.
Must complete SOS-approved RON training + exam. Select approved technology platform.
Electronic journal required, 10-year retention. A/V recording of each session, 10-year retention.
Source: MO SOS — Electronic Notary
Compare neighboring states: Illinois notary bond ($5K-$30K, 85% exam), Kansas notary bond ($7.5K), Kentucky notary bond ($1K, no exam), Iowa notary bond, Arkansas notary bond ($7.5K), Tennessee notary bond ($10K, elected), Oklahoma notary bond ($10K, SB 1028). See all bond types, the notary bond hub, or requirements by state. Also explore types of surety bonds.
Missouri Notary Bond — FAQs
What is the 7-day mailing rule?
After qualifying at the county clerk (taking the oath, filing the bond), you must mail the completed oath and bond to the Secretary of State within 7 days — the postmark must be within 7 days of the oath date per RSMo §486.620. Miss this and you cannot act as a notary until the SOS processes your filing.
What happens if my bond is exhausted by claims?
Per RSMo §486.615, if your $10,000 bond is exhausted by paid claims, the Secretary of State SHALL suspend your notary commission until you obtain a new bond AND your fitness to serve is determined. The surety must report all claims to the SOS. This is a mandatory suspension — not discretionary.
What exam does Missouri require?
Missouri requires all applicants (new and renewal) to pass an examination with a score of 80% or better. The exam is administered by the Secretary of State, typically through an online course + exam format. You must either read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook or complete SOS-prescribed training before taking the exam. Source: RSMo §486.605.
Do non-residents qualify for a Missouri notary commission?
Yes, if you have a regular place of work or business in Missouri. You must use your commission only for Missouri employment, and your work address must be in the county where you apply. You cannot use a Missouri notary commission for personal acts outside Missouri.
What is the 60-day qualification deadline?
You have 60 days from your commission issue date to qualify at the county clerk. If you miss this deadline, the county clerk marks your commission "not qualified" and returns it to the SOS within 15 days per RSMo §486.620. You would need to reapply.
How much does it cost total to become a Missouri notary?
Approximately $58-85: $25 SOS application fee + $30-50 bond premium (4-year term) + $3-6.50 county clerk fee (varies by county). New seal/stamp: ~$20-30 additional. For general pricing, see /surety-bond-cost/.
How much is a notary bond in Missouri?
The $10,000 Missouri notary bond typically costs $30-50 for the full 4-year commission term. This is a one-time premium, not an annual fee. Most applicants qualify with no credit check required, and you pay nothing until your bond is issued. The bond must be from a surety licensed in Missouri per RSMo §486.615. Use our notary bond calculator at /tools/calculator/notary-bond/ for a personalized estimate.
How do I get a notary bond in Missouri?
Purchase your $10,000 bond online through BuySuretyBonds.com for instant approval. You will receive your bond certificate ready for your in-person county clerk visit. After taking the oath at the county clerk, you must mail the oath and bond to the Secretary of State at 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101 within 7 days per RSMo §486.620. We pre-match bond dates to your commission so the county clerk accepts it.
More Surety Bond Resources
Official Missouri Sources
Track regulatory updates at our 2025–2026 state bond changes blog. Need other bond types? See contractor license bonds or auto dealer bonds.
MO SOS — Notary Bond
$10,000 requirement, surety rules, E&O distinction
RSMo §486.615 (Bond Statute)
Bond amount, exhaustion suspension
RSMo §486.620 (Qualification)
County clerk process, 7-day mailing rule
MO SOS — Qualifying
In-person county clerk steps
Notary Handbook (PDF)
Free study guide + exam prep
County Clerk Fees
Fee by county ($3-$6.50)
Other Missouri Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Missouri
Ready for Your County Clerk Visit?
$10,000 Missouri notary bond • 80% exam • 7-day mailing rule • Instant approval