Errors and Omissions Insurance for Notaries Public
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Notary errors and omissions insurance (E&O) is voluntary in every state, costs roughly $50 to $100 a year for $100,000 of coverage from notary-specialty insurers, and pays your legal defense and settlements if a claimant says you made a notarial mistake. It is the only coverage that protects you rather than the public, which is why most signing agents carry it. A state-required bond, where you have one, does the opposite job.
What Notary E&O Insurance Covers
E&O insurance covers you if a client or third party claims you made an error, omitted a required step, or acted negligently while performing notarial duties. It pays for your legal defense and any resulting judgment or settlement, up to the policy limit.
Typical covered claims: notarizing for an improperly identified signer, failing to confirm the signer’s willingness, stamping a document outside your commission area, or making an error on a notarial certificate. Excluded are intentional fraud, criminal acts, and claims arising from services beyond your notary duties.
E&O Insurance vs. a Surety Bond
| Surety Bond | E&O Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it protects | The public | The notary |
| Required? | Required in about 20 states | Voluntary in all states |
| If a claim is paid | You must repay the surety company | Insurance covers it; you pay only the deductible |
| Typical amount | $1,000-$50,000 (set by state law) | $5,000-$100,000 typical (you choose; higher limits exist) |
The bond exists for the public: if a notary’s error causes a loss, the surety company pays the injured party, then comes to the notary for reimbursement. E&O works the other way around, paying your defense and judgment with no repayment. Notaries in bond states usually carry both. For a deeper look at the bond side, see how notary bonds actually work.
What It Costs
| Coverage Amount | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | $15-$30 |
| $50,000 | $25-$50 |
| $100,000 | $50-$100 |
| Above $100,000 | General professional-liability pricing, often several hundred dollars a year |
Prices move with the insurer, the coverage amount, the deductible, and whether you work as a signing agent. Notary-specialty insurers sell $100,000 for roughly $50-$100 a year; broader small-business E&O policies average several hundred. Some policies come with zero deductibles, others make you pay the first $250 or $500 of a claim.
How Much Coverage to Carry
An occasional traditional notary, doing acknowledgments and jurats a few times a month, is reasonably protected at $25,000 to $50,000. Volume raises the ceiling: mobile notaries handling daily appointments should think about $50,000 to $100,000, because more transactions mean more exposure.
Signing agents are a different category. A single error on a mortgage closing, a misdated deed of trust, a missed borrower signature, can ripple into a six-figure claim from the lender, title company, or borrower. Carry at least $100,000, and confirm the policy specifically covers loan signing work, because some general notary policies exclude it. For the role itself, see how to become a notary signing agent and our signing-agent E&O guide.
Where to Buy It
- NNA (National Notary Association): policies bundled with supplies and commission packages, popular for convenience
- NotaryRotary: standalone E&O policies at multiple coverage levels
- Budget Notary Insurance: competitive pricing on E&O and bond packages
- Colonial Surety: direct provider of notary bonds and E&O
- Your current insurance agent: some independent agents can add a notary E&O endorsement to an existing business liability policy
Get two or three quotes before buying, and compare the deductible, the term (some policies match your commission term, others renew annually), and whether signing agent work is covered or excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E&O insurance required for notaries?
No. E&O insurance is voluntary in all 50 states. What is required, in about 20 states, is a surety bond, and that protects the public rather than you. Title companies and signing services, though, routinely require their signing agents to carry $25,000 to $100,000 of E&O.
Does E&O insurance cover intentional fraud?
No. E&O covers honest mistakes and negligence, such as a certificate error or a botched ID check. Intentional fraud, criminal acts, and dishonest conduct are excluded.
Can I buy E&O insurance that matches my commission term?
Yes. Some insurers sell policies lasting 4, 5, or 7 years to match your commission term, so you buy once per term instead of renewing annually.
What happens if a claim exceeds my coverage limit?
You are personally responsible for everything above the policy limit. That is the main reason signing agents, whose errors can cascade through a six-figure closing, carry higher limits than occasional notaries.
Is a surety bond enough protection?
Not for you. A bond protects the public, and if the surety pays a claim you must repay the surety. E&O is the coverage that pays your defense and judgment, with no repayment.
Updated October 2026. Pricing reflects current notary-specialty insurer schedules; verify quotes before purchase.
I am considering starting a notary business possibly in Azizona or Connecticut. Will you kindly describe the regirements for becoming a notary agent for both states please. Thankyou.
Here are a couple articles we’ve written:
https://notarytrainingschool.com/how-to-become-a-notary-in-arizona/
https://notarytrainingschool.com/how-to-become-a-notary-in-ct/