How to Become a Notary in Indiana (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- $25,000 surety bond required since July 2018 (bond certificate submitted with the application)
- State education course and exam required, completed inside the INBiz application flow ($75 application fee)
- Must be 18+, an IN resident or working in IN, and have no felony convictions
- Commission term: 8 years with continuing education every 2 years ($50 per course; a missed deadline permanently expires the commission)
- RON (remote online notarization) available since 2018
Indiana runs everything through INBiz, the state’s online business portal: the $75 application, the required education course and exam (unlocked once you pay), the $25,000 bond certificate, and a state police background check no older than 30 days. The reward is one of the longest commissions in the country, eight years, with continuing education every two years to keep it. The state’s own page totals the traditional journey at $241.32.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be an Indiana resident or have a principal place of business in the state
- Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
- Not be disqualified under IC 33-4-13 (an offense involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud) or IC 5-8-3-1 (a sentence exceeding six months)
- Be able to read and write English
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Submit Your Application Online
Start the application at the INBiz portal and pay the $75 fee (card payment adds a convenience fee and is nonrefundable). Paying unlocks the state’s education course and exam, which you complete inside the same flow. Your file also needs a $25,000 bond certificate (bonds have been required since July 2018) and an Indiana State Police limited criminal history record no older than 30 days at application ($16.32 ISP fee; download it within 14 days of request). Processing runs 5 to 10 business days once your file is complete.
Step 2: Receive Your Commission
Once the state approves your application, your commission certificate is issued through the portal. The commission lasts 8 years, one of the longest terms in the country.
Step 3: Buy Your Supplies
Once commissioned, purchase your notary stamp (required) and a journal (required for electronic notarizations, recommended for everything else). Stamps cost $15-$25, journals $10-$50. You can start notarizing immediately once you have your stamp and certificate.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee (INBiz) | $75 |
| Education course + exam | Included with the application |
| ISP background check | $16.32 |
| $25,000 surety bond premium | Varies by surety |
| Continuing education (3 courses per term) | $50 each |
| Notary stamp | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total (state-stated) | $241.32 traditional / $341.32 remote |
The state-stated totals assume its own fees, the ISP record, and typical supply pricing; your bond premium and seal choice move the number. Report changes to your information within 30 days through INBiz.
How Much You Can Charge
Indiana’s commonly published maximum is $10 per notarial act, with remote online notarizations at $25 (figures carried by the national fee tables; confirm current amounts with the Secretary of State before printing a fee schedule). Electronic notarizations may carry the higher rate set by the SOS.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Take verifications on oath or affirmation
- Witness or attest signatures
- Certify copies of documents
- Protest negotiable instruments
Notary Stamp Requirements
Indiana requires a notary stamp or seal. It must include your name as it appears on your commission, “Notary Public,” “State of Indiana,” and your commission expiration date. You must use your stamp on every notarial certificate.
Notarizing for Family Members
Indiana does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. The standard conflict-of-interest rules apply: you cannot notarize documents in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest. Use caution when notarizing for a spouse or close family members on financial documents.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but recommended. Indiana’s $25,000 bond protects the public, not you, and you repay the surety for any claim paid out. E&O insurance is your personal protection — roughly $19 a year for $25,000 of coverage in the notary specialty market, about $75 for $100,000.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
Notarizing without authority is a misdemeanor; fraud or forgery tied to a notarial act is a felony. The Secretary of State can revoke a commission at any time for cause — and claims against your bond get repaid to the surety, which is exactly what E&O is for.
Your Commission Belongs to You
Your commission is personal: it does not belong to your employer, and your stamp and journal go with you when you change jobs. No employer can require you to skip proper procedure, and one who pressures you into misconduct can share the liability for it.
Renewal
Indiana notary commissions last 8 years, one of the longest terms in the country. Renew through INBiz within 90 days of expiration. The continuing-education clock runs the whole term: one $50 course every two years, three per term, and a missed deadline permanently expires the commission (you would apply again as a brand-new notary, not renew). Report name or residence changes within 30 days.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Indiana authorized remote online notarization in 2018. To perform RON, hold an active Indiana notary commission, pay the $100 remote notary authorization fee, complete the remote course and exam, and register as an electronic notary through the Secretary of State using an approved RON technology provider.
Becoming a Signing Agent
Indiana is not an attorney state for real estate closings, so signing agents can handle loan document signings without attorney involvement. After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification course. Indianapolis and the Chicago suburbs in northwest Indiana are the top markets.
How Indiana Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | Indiana | Ohio | Illinois | Michigan | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | $25,000 | None | $5,000 | $10,000 | $1,000 |
| Exam | Yes | Yes | Yes (85%) | No | No |
| Training | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Term | 8 years | 5 years | 4 years | 6 years | 4 years |
| Max Fee | $10 | $5 | $5 | $10 | None |
| RON | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indiana carries the region’s biggest bond at $25,000 and backs it with a course, exam, and biennial continuing education, in exchange for the longest term at 8 years. Michigan pairs a $10,000 bond with the region’s highest fee cap ($10), Ohio requires education, testing, and a BCI check with no bond, and Illinois layers its 3-hour course and 85% exam on a $5,000 bond. Full guides: Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Indiana?
No, not under the last-verified rules. Indiana requires no course or exam for a traditional commission; claims of a 2026 exam requirement could not be confirmed in official sources.
Do I need a surety bond in Indiana?
No. Indiana requires no surety bond for a traditional notary commission.
How long does an Indiana notary commission last?
8 years. Indiana has one of the longest commission terms in the country.
Is a notary journal required in Indiana?
For electronic notarizations, yes. Traditional paper notarizations have no journal mandate, though keeping one is strongly recommended.
Can Indiana notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Indiana authorized RON in 2018. Register as an electronic notary through the Secretary of State.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Indiana Secretary of State and IC 33-42.
