How to Become a Notary in Minnesota (2026 Guide)

Published February 14, 2023 · Updated May 21, 2026

Minnesota does not require a bond, exam, or training course to become a notary. The commission costs $120 (one of the highest state fees) and lasts 5 years. Remote online notarization is not yet available (SF3602 is pending). Here is how to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

To become a notary in Minnesota, you must:

not held a commission that has expired. If your commission has expired, you must check the “Re-appointment ” box on the application.
fill out the Notary Application and send it in the mail.
submit a non-refundable fee of $120.
pay by check or money order. Make the check or money order out to the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
be at least 18 years old.
be a resident of Minnesota or a county in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin. You will need to list the Minnesota county where you will file when you get your commission.

Application Process

Make sure you meet the requirements listed in the last section.
Fill out the Notary Application and mail it to the Minnesota Secretary of State.
You must pay a $120.00 fee when you file your application.
To complete the registration process, the Minnesota notary must pay a $20 filing fee and present their commission with an accompanying signature that matches their full name to the registrar’s office of residence. They must also provide a sample signature for all future notarial acts.
To become a notary public in Minnesota, nonresidents must pay the $20 filing fee and register with the local registrar of their designated county. During registration, they will be required to provide (a) their notary commission; (b) a signature that matches the full name on the commission; and (c) an example of how they plan to sign off on documents during notarial acts.

Costs to Become a Minnesota Notary

The commission fee is $120, plus a $20 filing fee with your county, for a total of $140. You will also need a notary stamp ($15-25) and, optionally, a journal ($10-50). Minnesota commissions last 5 years.

Training Requirements

No, there is no training requirement to become a notary in Minnesota.

However, a notary education course is recommended to learn the laws and regulations.

Exam Requirements

No, there is no exam requirement to become a notary in Minnesota.

Bond Requirements

No Minnesota has no surety bond requirement to become a notary.

E&O Insurance Requirements

No, Minnesota does not require a notary errors and omissions insurance policy.

However, most notaries carry E&O insurance for protection against claims.

Stamp Requirements

Yes, you must have a notary stamp in Minnesota.

Journal Requirements

No, a notary journal is not required by the state of Minnesota.

However, the Secretary of State recommends keeping a journal for your protection.

Timeline

Completing the Notary Public commission can take up to four weeks, depending on your availability and how quickly the Secretary of State processes your application and mails out your certificate.

Renewal Process

Minnesota notaries can apply for a new commission six months before their old one expires.

The new commission will last for five years.

If the notary’s old commission has already expired, they must fill out a new application and check the box that says ‘re-appointment.’ Then they must mail it in.

After renewing their commission, they will need to get a new notary stamp that shows the five-year extension.

Notarizing Across State Lines

No, conducting notarial acts outside of the state in which you are commissioned is prohibited. A Minnesota Notary cannot notarize documents in Wisconsin or any other state.

Remote Online Notarization

Not yet. Minnesota’s RON legislation (SF3602) is pending as of 2026.

Once enacted, qualified notaries will be able to perform notarial acts remotely.

The process will require a traditional notary commission, approved technology, and a secondary application.

Fee Schedule

Minnesota does not set a statutory maximum fee for notarizations. Notaries may charge a reasonable fee.

Becoming a Signing Agent

To become a Notary Signing Agent in Minnesota, you must first be an active notary. The state also requires that signing agents must be licensed closing agents, which is an additional state license.

You should also complete a signing agent training and certification program. Once these steps are completed, you will receive certification and can begin working as a Notary Signing Agent in the state.

Minnesota Fee Schedule

Minnesota does not set a statutory maximum fee for notarizations. Notaries may charge a reasonable fee. The state commission fee of $120 is among the highest in the country.

Notarizing for Family Members

Minnesota does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. You cannot notarize a document in which you have a direct financial interest.

Penalties for Notary Misconduct

Notarizing without authority: misdemeanor
Fraud or forgery: felony charges
Commission revocation, the Secretary of State can revoke your commission
Civil liability. You can be held personally liable for damages

Employer Obligations

Your commission is personal. It cannot be controlled by your employer
If you leave your job, your stamp goes with you
Your employer cannot require you to skip proper procedures

How Minnesota Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Minnesota	Wisconsin	North Dakota	Iowa
Bond	None	$500	$7,500	None
Exam	No	No	No	No
Training	No	No	No	No
Term	5 years	4 years	4 years	3 years
RON	Pending (SF3602)	Yes	Yes	Yes

Minnesota has no bond requirement and one of the highest commission fees ($120). Wisconsin requires a $500 bond. North Dakota requires $7,500. Minnesota’s RON legislation (SF3602) is pending as of 2026. Iowa has the shortest term at just 3 years.