Utah Notary Bond— $5,000 Standard | $10,000 for RON
Utah's notary exam demands 61 out of 65 points — roughly 94% — making it one of the toughest pass thresholds in the country. Once you clear that hurdle, you need a $5,000 surety bond (or $10,000 for Remote Online Notarization) filed with the Lieutenant Governor's office per UCA §46-1-4. Not the Secretary of State — Utah doesn't have one. Explore all state notary bond requirements.
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Lt. Governor Source-Verified Content
Every requirement on this page is verified against the Utah Lieutenant Governor's notary portal and Utah Code Title 46. We update within 48 hours of any legislative or administrative change. Get your bond from the surety bond marketplace that professionals trust.
The 61/65 Exam — Why Utah's Is Different
Most states either have no exam (North Dakota, Alaska) or set passing at 70-80%. Utah demands ~94%. Here is what to expect. Learn how to get a surety bond once you pass.
Exam Structure
Exam portal: secure.utah.gov/notary
The Math: You Can Only Miss 4 Points
Missing just one 4-point question puts you at 61 — the absolute minimum. Miss two, and you fail. The 10 high-value questions likely cover core notarial duties (acknowledgments, jurats, oath requirements). Focus your study there.
Retake Policy
Within 30 days of a failed attempt: $40 retake fee. After 30 days: you must pay the full $95 again (application + exam). There is no limit on retake attempts, but the cost adds up fast. Source: notary.utah.gov.
Background Check (Mandatory Since Nov 2019)
All applicants undergo a background check. Disqualifying factors per UCA §46-1-7: convictions for dishonesty or moral turpitude (forgery, counterfeiting, fraud), prior commission revocation, or notarial misconduct. You can upload a separate explanation document with your criminal history during the application.
Compare Exam Requirements
California: 6-hour course + 70% exam. Florida: 3-hour course, no exam. Texas: 2-hour course, no exam. North Dakota: no course, no exam. Utah: no course, but 94% exam threshold.
After You Buy Your Bond — The Filing Walkthrough
Every competitor's page stops at “buy the bond.” Here is what actually happens next. Since April 6, 2022, all Utah notary submissions are online-only.
Execute Your Bond
Sign the bond in the presence of a notary public. The oath printed on the bond must also be notarized. Your name on the bond must match your application exactly — mismatches mean your application gets returned.
Date the Bond Correctly (90-Day Rule)
New applicants: use the current date. Renewals: use your previous commission's expiration date. The bond date must fall within 90 days of your commission approval — outside that window, the Lt. Governor will reject it.
Submit Online at notary.utah.gov
Upload your executed bond, pay the $95 fee ($55 application + $40 exam), and submit through the portal. No paper submissions accepted since April 2022.
Wait for Processing (~2 Weeks)
The Lt. Governor's office reviews applications in order received. You'll receive your commission certificate electronically.
Purchase Your Stamp
Rectangular format, max 1" × 2.5". Must include your name, commission number, expiration date, and "State of Utah Notary Public." Cost: approximately $25.
Questions? Contact the Lt. Governor's office: notary@utah.gov or (801) 538-1041. For RON, add the $50 RON application and a notarized RON Oath. Source: notary.utah.gov RON process.
The Real Cost to Become a Utah Notary
Every competitor lists the bond premium in isolation. Here is the full picture — verified from notary.utah.gov/faqs. Understanding how surety bond pricing works helps separate the bond premium from state fees.
Try our notary bond calculator for a personalized estimate. For RON applicants, add the $50 RON application fee to the total above. Compare with notary bond costs by state. See bond vs. cash deposit options.
Official Utah Requirements
"An applicant shall obtain an assurance in the form of a surety bond in the amount of $5,000 ($10,000 for remote online notary)."Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office • UCA §46-1-4
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your $5,000 surety bond protects the public — if the surety pays a claim, they seek reimbursement from you. Per UCA §46-1-18, the surety's liability is capped at the bond amount. E&O insurance protects you from personal liability. Utah does not require E&O, but RON notaries should strongly consider it. See our bond vs. insurance guide.
Passed the Exam? Get Your Utah Bond Now
$5,000 standard or $10,000 RON — instant approval, file online with the Lt. Governor.
Get Your Bond NowCompare Utah to Neighboring States
See all bond types, the notary bond hub, or requirements by state. Understand bond vs. E&O insurance, read the surety bond glossary, or learn how to get a surety bond. Utah professionals may also need a Utah contractor license bond or a Utah auto dealer bond. Browse the full bond directory. Track 2025–2026 state bond changes. Explore what a surety bond is, types of surety bonds, and surety bond requirements.
Utah Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Utah notary exam, and what should I study?
The exam has 35 questions worth a combined 65 points: 10 questions at 4 points each and 25 at 1 point each. You need 61 out of 65 to pass — a ~93.8% threshold, one of the strictest nationally. It is administered online at secure.utah.gov/notary. The official study material is Utah Code Title 46. The $95 fee covers both the exam ($40) and the application ($55), and both portions are non-refundable.
Why does the bond amount double for Remote Online Notarization?
Standard notaries carry a $5,000 bond. RON notaries must carry $10,000 total per UCA §46-1-4 — typically by adding a $5,000 rider to the existing bond. The higher amount reflects added risk in remote transactions. RON also requires an approved technology vendor, a notarized RON Oath, an additional $50 fee, and audio-video recording of each session (§46-1-3.6, effective May 1, 2024).
What is the 90-day bond dating rule?
New applicants must date their bond with the current date. Renewals must date the bond with their previous commission's expiration date to prevent overlapping terms. In both cases, the bond date must fall within 90 days of commission approval — if it falls outside that window, the Lt. Governor's office will reject it. Source: notary.utah.gov/notarial-bond/.
What happens if my bond name doesn't match my application?
The Lieutenant Governor's office will return your application. The name on your bond must match your notary application exactly — no nicknames, no abbreviations, no maiden vs. married name variations. This is a common cause of processing delays. Double-check before you submit.
Does my bond protect me or the public?
The public — not you. If someone files a valid claim against your bond and the surety pays, the surety company will seek full reimbursement from you personally. This is called indemnification. Per UCA §46-1-18, the surety's total liability is capped at the bond amount regardless of how many claims are filed. Consider E&O insurance for personal protection — see our bond vs. insurance guide at /bond-vs-insurance/.
How do I actually file my bond after purchasing it?
Since April 6, 2022, all submissions go through the online portal at notary.utah.gov. Upload your executed bond (with notarized oath), pay the $95 fee, and submit. The Lt. Governor's office processes applications in approximately two weeks. You'll receive your commission certificate electronically. Contact: notary@utah.gov or (801) 538-1041.
How do I get a notary bond in Utah?
Purchase your $5,000 bond (or $10,000 for RON) online through BuySuretyBonds.com for instant approval. You pay nothing until your bond is issued. After purchasing, have your bond oath notarized, then upload everything to the online portal at notary.utah.gov with your $95 application fee. The bond date must fall within 90 days of commission approval or the Lt. Governor will reject it per Utah naming rules.
How much does a Utah notary bond cost?
The $5,000 standard Utah notary bond typically costs $25-50 for the full 4-year term. RON notaries need a $10,000 bond costing $40-75. These are one-time premiums, not annual fees. No credit check is required for most applicants. Total out-of-pocket is approximately $120-145 including the $95 combined application/exam fee. The exam requires 61/65 points (~94%) — one of the strictest nationally. See our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.
More resources: Learning Center • Surety bond basics • Surety bond requirements • Types of surety bonds • Bond cost calculator
Official Utah Sources
Utah Lt. Gov — Notary Portal
Main portal, FAQ, forms, filing
UCA §46-1-4 (Bond)
$5,000 standard / $10,000 RON requirement
Qualifications & Process
Exam, background check, eligibility
Online Exam Portal
Take the 61/65 exam here
RON Application Process
$10K bond + $50 RON fee
Utah Code Title 46
Full notary statutes
Other Utah Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Utah
Pass the Toughest Exam, Get the Easiest Bond
$5,000 Utah notary bond • $10,000 RON • 90-day dating rule handled • Instant approval