Wisconsin Notary Bond— $500 — The Lowest Bond in America
At $500, Wisconsin has the lowest notary bond requirement in the entire country — about 100x less than Alabama's $50,000. Per Wis. Stat. §140.02(1)(d) (NOT the repealed §137.01 that some competitors still cite). The bond is non-cancelable once filed, requires a 90% exam score, and attorneys get a permanent commission with no bond needed. Learn what a surety bond is or see all state notary bond requirements.
Get Your $500 Wisconsin Bond
Lowest bond amount in the US • Instant approval
Statute-Corrected Content
Many competitor sites cite the repealed Wis. Stat. §137.01. This page uses the correct current citation: Chapter 140 (enacted by 2019 Wisconsin Act 125). We verify against WDFI official publications. Wisconsin notaries trust BuySuretyBonds.com for fast, accurate bonding.
How $500 Compares to Other States
Wisconsin's bond is dramatically lower than the national average. For context on how surety bonds work and why amounts vary, see our guide. Use our notary bond calculator or read our notary bond cost guide. Note: Indiana's $25,000 bond in the table below links to Indiana notary bond details.
Notary Bond: Wisconsin vs. Other States
| State | Bond Amount | Commission | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $500 (lowest) | 4 years | Yes (90%) |
| Kentucky | $1,000 | 4 years | No |
| Hawaii | $1,000 | 4 years | Yes (80%) |
| Arizona | $5,000 | 4 years | Yes (80%) |
| Texas | $10,000 | 4 years | No |
| California | $15,000 | 4 years | Yes (70%) |
| Indiana | $25,000 | 8 years | Yes (80%) |
| Alabama | $50,000 | 4 years | No (training) |
| Louisiana | $50,000 | Lifetime | Yes (~20%) |
Sources: Individual state statutes. See each state's page for .gov citations.
Non-Cancelable Bond
Unlike most states where the surety can cancel with 30-day notice, a Wisconsin notary bond cannot be cancelled once filed. It runs the full 4-year term. This protects the public but means you can't get a refund if you decide not to use your commission.
A blanket bond does NOT qualify — the WDFI explicitly requires a separate, specific $500 bond. Source: WDFI Bond Information.
Statute Correction
Many competitor sites cite Wis. Stat. §137.01 for the Wisconsin notary bond. This is wrong — Chapter 137 was repealed by 2019 Wisconsin Act 125 and reorganized into Chapter 140.
The correct citation is Wis. Stat. §140.02(1)(d). Source: Wisconsin Legislature.
90% Exam + Eligibility
90% passing score — one of the highest nationally. Free online tutorial/exam at WDFI portal.
Unlimited retakes. Must pass within 1 year of application.
Eligibility: Age 18+, U.S. resident (no WI residency required), equivalent of 8th grade education.
Disqualifications: Any felony, or misdemeanor involving “violation of public trust” — case-by-case WDFI review. Pardoned felons may be eligible.
Application: $20 fee via apps.dfi.wi.gov.
Attorney Permanent Commission
Licensed WI attorneys may apply under §140.02(2)(a) for a permanent commission ($50 fee).
Exempt from both the $500 bond AND the exam.
Submit certificate of good standing from the State Bar instead.
Permanent commissions do not expire — valid as long as bar membership is active.
RON Since May 2020
2019 Act 125 / Assembly Bill 293, effective May 1, 2020.
Must use WDFI-approved RON technology provider.
Prohibited for RON (unless attorney-supervised): wills, trusts, POAs, marital property agreements, health care POAs.
A/V recording retention: 7 years.
Notary must be physically in Wisconsin.
Compare neighboring states: Illinois notary bond ($5K-$30K), Michigan notary bond ($10K), Indiana notary bond ($25K, 8 years), Minnesota notary bond, Iowa notary bond. See all bond types, the notary bond hub, or requirements by state. See bond cost guide, learn how to get a surety bond, and read the surety bond glossary.
How Much Does a Wisconsin Notary Bond Cost?
The $500 Wisconsin notary bond costs approximately $25–$50 for the full 4-year term — the lowest bond premium in the country. No credit check required. Once filed with the DFI, the bond is non-cancelable for the entire commission term. See our surety bond cost guide or notary bond calculator. Compare notary bond costs by state.
Official Wisconsin Requirements
"Execute and file an official bond in the sum of $500, with a surety executed by a surety company and approved by the department."Wisconsin DFI • Wis. Stat. §140.02(1)(d)
$0.50 Fee Cap
Wisconsin caps notary fees at just $0.50 per signature — the lowest cap nationally. This makes Wisconsin notary commissions primarily professional conveniences, not income generators. Government notaries may not charge at all.
Seal Requirements
Rubber stamp only (no embosser). Must include: name, “Notary Public,” “State of Wisconsin,” commission expiration. New seal designs must be WDFI-approved before use.
Renewal
Renew up to 6 months early. New $500 bond required at each renewal. E&O is optional but recommended — your bond protects the public, not you. See bond vs. insurance and bond vs. cash deposit. Use our bond calculator to estimate your cost.
America's Most Affordable Notary Bond
$500 Wisconsin bond, 90% exam, non-cancelable, instant approval from ~$25.
Get Your Bond NowWisconsin Notary Bond — FAQs
Why is the Wisconsin notary bond only $500?
Wisconsin has the lowest notary bond in the United States at $500, per Wis. Stat. §140.02(1)(d). For context, the national average is approximately $8,950. Wisconsin's approach reflects a view that the notary role carries limited financial risk compared to states like Louisiana ($50,000) or Alabama ($50,000) where notaries have expanded legal powers.
Can the Wisconsin notary bond be cancelled?
No. Once filed with the WDFI, the $500 bond cannot be cancelled — it runs the full 4-year term regardless. This is unusual; in most states, sureties can cancel with 30-day notice. Wisconsin's non-cancelable bond protects the public for the entire commission term. A new $500 bond is required at each renewal.
What exam score does Wisconsin require?
Wisconsin requires 90% or better on the DFI online tutorial/exam — one of the highest passing thresholds nationally. The exam is accessible at apps.dfi.wi.gov, has unlimited retakes, and must be passed within 1 year of your application. It is free. Attorneys on permanent commissions use a different process (certificate of good standing) and do not take this exam.
Are Wisconsin attorneys exempt from the bond?
Yes. Licensed Wisconsin attorneys may apply for a permanent notary commission (not 4-year) under §140.02(2)(a) for $50. Attorneys are exempt from both the $500 bond AND the DFI exam. They submit a certificate of good standing from the State Bar instead. Attorneys' permanent commissions do not expire.
What is the maximum fee a Wisconsin notary can charge?
Wisconsin caps notary fees at just $0.50 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats — the lowest fee cap in the country. This means Wisconsin notary commissions are rarely a significant income source and are primarily held for professional convenience.
What documents cannot be notarized via RON in Wisconsin?
Per the WDFI RON Guide, the following are prohibited from remote online notarization UNLESS supervised by a Wisconsin-licensed attorney: wills, testamentary trusts, living trusts, powers of attorney, marital property agreements, and health care powers of attorney. Traditional in-person notarization has no such restrictions.
More resources: Learning Center • Surety bond basics • Surety bond requirements • Types of surety bonds • Get a Wisconsin notary bond quote
Official Wisconsin Sources
Stay current on bond law changes: 2025–2026 state bond changes. Need a different bond type? Browse Wisconsin contractor license bonds, Wisconsin auto dealer bonds, or the full bond directory.
Wis. Stat. §140.02
Bond, commission, attorney exemption
WDFI — Notary Bond Info
Bond requirements, non-cancelable rule
WDFI — Tutorial & Exam
Free online exam (90% pass)
WDFI — RON Guide
RON requirements + prohibited docs
WDFI — Notary Application
$20 application portal
WDFI Contact
(608) 266-8915 / DFINotary@wi.gov
Estimate Your Wisconsin Notary Bond Premium
Free calculator — ballpark cost in under 60 seconds, no email required.
Other Wisconsin Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Wisconsin
Nearby States
Notary bonds in neighboring states
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and verified before publication. BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-certified, A- minimum rated surety carriers serving all 50 states.
The Country's Cheapest Notary Bond
$500 Wisconsin bond • Non-cancelable • 90% exam • From ~$25