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Notary Bond Requirements Guide
Complete state-by-state guide to notary bond requirements. Learn which 30 states require bonds, specific amounts ($500-$25,000), terms, age requirements, education, and exam requirements. Expert insights from state officials and commissioning authorities.
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Notary Bond Requirements at a Glance
30
States Require Bonds
$500-$25K
Bond Amount Range
4-8
Years Term Length
8
States Require Education
Bond Amounts by Range
States are grouped by their bond amount requirements
$500 - $1,000
Lowest bond requirements
$1,500
Low bond amount
$5,000 - $7,500
Mid-range requirements
$10,000 - $15,000
Standard bond amounts
California notary bond requirementsColorado $10,000 notary bondIdaho notary commission bondKansas notary bond requirementsLouisiana $10,000 notary bondMichigan notary commission bondMissouri notary bond requirementsNebraska $15,000 notary bondNevada notary commission bondNew York notary bond requirementsOhio $15,000 notary bondOregon notary commission bondPennsylvania notary bond requirementsTennessee $10,000 notary bondTexas notary commission bondVirginia notary bond requirementsWashington $10,000 notary bond
$25,000
Highest bond requirements
General Requirements Across States
Common requirements that apply to most notary commissioning processes
Age Requirements
- Most states: 18 years old minimum
- Alabama: 21 years old minimum
- Nebraska: 19 years old minimum
- Some states may have additional age-related restrictions
Residency Requirements
- Must be a resident of the commissioning state (most states)
- Some states allow non-residents with business presence
- Military personnel may have special provisions
- Border state reciprocity in some cases
Background Requirements
- Clean criminal background (varies by state)
- No felony convictions (most states)
- No notary-related violations in past
- Good moral character requirement
Education Requirements
- Required in: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, Washington
- State-approved courses only
- Typically 3-6 hours of instruction
- Some states require periodic renewal education
Examination Requirements
- Required in: Arizona (2025), California, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio
- Covers state notary laws and procedures
- Passing score typically 70-80%
- May be retaken if failed (fees apply)
Step-by-Step Application Process
General process for obtaining a notary commission in bond-required states
1
Check State Requirements
Verify if your state requires a notary bond and determine the specific amount and term.
- State residency verification
- Age requirement check
- Background eligibility
2
Complete Education (If Required)
Take state-approved notary education course in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, or Washington.
- State-approved course provider
- 3-6 hours instruction
- Certificate of completion
3
Pass State Exam (If Required)
Take and pass the notary exam in Arizona, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, or Ohio.
- Study state notary laws
- Schedule exam appointment
- Achieve passing score
4
Obtain Notary Bond
Purchase your required notary bond before submitting commission application.
- Choose licensed surety
- Pay bond premium
- Receive bond certificate
5
Submit Commission Application
File complete application package with state commissioning authority.
- Completed application form
- Bond certificate
- Education/exam certificates
- Application fee
6
Take Oath of Office
Complete oath of office and file with appropriate county or state office.
- Oath ceremony attendance
- Oath filing
- Commission certificate receipt
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Get Instant Bond NowComplete State-by-State Requirements
Detailed requirements for all 30 states that require notary bonds
| State | Bond Amount | Term | Min Age | Exam | Education | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama notary bonds | $25,000 | 4 years | 21 | No | No | 21+ age requirement, highest bond amount |
| Arizona notary bonds | $5,000 | 4 years | 18 | Required | No | Exam required starting 2025 |
| Arkansas notary bonds | $7,500 | 4 years | 18 | No | Required | Education required |
| California notary bonds | $15,000 | 4 years | 18 | Required | No | Exam required, second highest bond amount |
| Colorado notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | Required | Education required |
| Florida notary bonds | $7,500 | 4 years | 18 | No | Required | Education mandatory |
| Hawaii notary bonds | $1,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Island state, low bond amount |
| Idaho notary bonds | $10,000 | 6 years | 18 | No | No | 6-year term |
| Illinois notary bonds | $5,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | $25,000 for e-notaries |
| Indiana notary bonds | $25,000 | 8 years | 18 | No | No | Longest term in nation (8 years) |
| Kansas notary bonds | $12,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | $12,000 bond required |
| Kentucky notary bonds | $1,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Lowest bond in nation |
| Louisiana notary bonds | $10,000 | Life years | 18 | Required | Required | Life commission, exam + education required |
| Michigan notary bonds | $10,000 | 6 years | 18 | No | No | 6-year term |
| Minnesota notary bonds | $1,500 | 5 years | 18 | No | No | 5-year term |
| Mississippi notary bonds | $5,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | 60-day filing deadline |
| Missouri notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | Required | Required | Handbook OR training + exam required |
| Montana notary bonds | $25,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Highest bond requirement |
| Nebraska notary bonds | $15,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Higher bond amount |
| Nevada notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | Required | Required | 3-hour course + exam required |
| New York notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | Required | No | Exam required |
| Ohio notary bonds | $15,000 | 5 years | 18 | No | No | 5-year term, electronic estate planning |
| Oklahoma notary bonds | $1,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Low bond amount |
| Oregon notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Standard requirements |
| Pennsylvania notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | File within 45 days |
| Tennessee notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Standard requirements |
| Texas notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | Required | Education required |
| Virginia notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Standard requirements |
| Washington notary bonds | $10,000 | 4 years | 18 | No | Required | Education required |
| Wisconsin notary bonds | $500 | 4 years | 18 | No | No | Lowest bond amount ($500) |
States That Don't Require Notary Bonds
The following 19 states do not require notary bonds for commissioning
Alaska
Connecticut
Delaware
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming
While these states don't require bonds, E&O insurance is still strongly recommended for professional protection.
Ask About E&O Insurance OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about notary bond requirements across states
State-Specific Notary Bond Pages
Click any state below for detailed requirements and instant bond quotes
Need Help Choosing?
Not sure about your state's requirements? Our experts can help you navigate the process.
Official Government Bond Resources
Authoritative information on notary bond requirements and surety regulations
U.S. Department of Treasury - Surety Bond Program →
Official list of Treasury-certified surety companies authorized to write bonds
State-Specific Resources:
For state-specific notary bond requirements, visit your state Secretary of State website or licensing authority. All 30 bond-required states provide detailed commissioning requirements on their official .gov websites.
Written by BuySuretyBonds.com
Licensed surety bond agency operating nationwide with direct integrations to Treasury-certified surety carriers. Our platform enables instant approval for license and notary bonds, with 24-48 hour underwriting for commercial bonds. All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and reviewed by licensed insurance professionals.
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