Category: States

Key Takeaways You must be 18+, a Florida resident, and able to read and write English First-time applicants must complete a 3-hour education course (free…

Key Takeaways Standard notaries need no bond and no E&O, a $25,000 bond is required only for electronic estate planning notarizations (HB 315, April 2025)…

Key Takeaways No exam, no training, no bond required Application fee: $30 | Commission term: 3 years (1 year for border-state residents) Notary stamp required…

Key Takeaways No surety bond required: one of the few states without one Open book exam required (on the application form) Application fee: $50 |…

Wisconsin requires a $500 surety bond, a state tutorial and exam (90% to pass), and a $20 application fee. The commission lasts 4 years and…

Key Takeaways Exam required: administered by the Department of the Attorney General $1,000 surety bond required (must be authorized by a circuit court judge) Application…

Key Takeaways No exam or training course required $2,500 surety bond required (premium costs ~$50) Application fee: $40 | Commission term: 4 years Processing time:…

Key Takeaways $50,000 surety bond required: one of the highest in the country (premium ~$75) Mandatory online training required (since Sept 2023). No state exam.…

Key Takeaways New for February 2026: Surety bond increased from $10,000 to $50,000 State exam required (open-book, administered by Secretary of State) Lifetime commission (does…

Key Takeaways $10,000 surety bond required Journal required for all notarial acts No exam or training course required Application fee: $30 | Commission term: 4…

Key Takeaways No exam or training required $5,000 surety bond required Application fee: $25 | Commission term: 4 years Notary stamp required Maximum fee: $5…

Key Takeaways No exam, no training, and no bond required Application fee: $25 + $10 county filing | Commission term: 10 years Must be a…

Key Takeaways Major update May 2026: Indiana now requires a $25,000 surety bond, education course, and exam Background check required (Indiana State Police, within 6…

Key Takeaways No exam or training required No surety bond required Application fee: $120 | Commission term: 5 years Notary stamp required Maximum fee: $5…

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…

Key Takeaways New York requires notaries to be 18+, a US citizen or legal permanent resident, and a resident or worker in NY state You…

Key Takeaways No surety bond required (eliminated in 2018 by HB 4207) No exam or training course required Application fee: $52 | Commission term: 5…

Kentucky is one of the easiest states to become a notary. No exam, no training course, just a $1,000 surety bond, and no set fee…

Key Takeaways No exam or training required $10,000 surety bond required (raised from $1,000 by SB 1028, effective January 2026) Application fee: $25 | Commission…

Oregon requires notary training, a state exam, and a $40 application fee, but no bond. The commission lasts 4 years and the maximum fee is…