How Much Does It Cost to Become a Notary? (2026 State-by-State Guide)

The cost to become a notary public ranges from under $50 in states with minimal requirements to over $500 in states that mandate training courses, exams, and high-value surety bonds. The national average runs between $100 and $250 for the initial commission, but that is just the starting point. This guide breaks down every cost you will encounter, state by state, so you know exactly what to budget. Once you are commissioned, our notary salary guide covers the income side.

What You Pay to Become a Notary

The upfront costs fall into a few categories. Not every state requires all of these. The complete list of what you might pay:

• State application fee: $10 to $120, paid to the Secretary of State or commissioning authority
• Surety bond: Required in about 30 states. The bond amount ranges from $500 (Wisconsin) to $50,000 (Alabama, Louisiana), but the premium you actually pay is typically 1% to 5% of the bond amount per term ($10 to $100)
• Training course: $20 to $200, required in states like California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Ohio
• State exam: $15 to $100, required in about a dozen states
• Background check: $20 to $75 (fingerprinting/Live Scan), required in California, Ohio, and a few others
• Notary seal (stamp): $15 to $50
• Notary journal: $10 to $30 (required or recommended in every state)
• Errors and Omissions insurance: Optional but recommended, $30 to $300 per year depending on coverage

Cost to Become a Notary by State

The table below shows the estimated total cost to obtain your initial notary commission in each state. Costs include application fees, bond premiums, training, exam fees, and basic supplies (seal and journal). These are ranges because training providers and bond companies charge different rates.

State requirements drive most of the bill. Our training-by-state map shows where a course is required before commission and what each state demands; the table below carries the full cost picture.

State	Bond	Training	Exam	Term	Est. Total Cost
Alabama	$50,000	Yes	No	4 years	$155–$225
Alaska	$2,500	No	No	4 years	$90–$130
Arizona	$5,000	No	Yes	4 years	$140–$180
Arkansas	$7,500	Yes	Yes	10 years	$70–$110
California	$15,000	Yes (6-hr)	Yes	4 years	$250–$400
Colorado	None	Yes	Yes	4 years	$70–$150
Connecticut	None	No	Yes	5 years	$140–$160
Delaware	None	No	No	2–4 years	$80–$130
Florida	$7,500	No	No	4 years	$120–$230
Georgia	None	Yes	No	4 years	$60–$120
Hawaii	$1,000	No	Yes	4 years	$186–$226
Idaho	$10,000	No	No	6 years	$100–$200
Illinois	$5,000	Yes	Yes	4 years	$105–$230
Indiana	$25,000	Yes	Yes	8 years	$20–$35
Iowa	None	No	No	3 years	$50–$70
Kansas	$12,000	No	No	4 years	$125–$235
Kentucky	$1,000	No	No	4 years	$99–$149
Louisiana	$50,000	Yes	Yes	Lifetime	$320–$500+
Maine	None	No	Yes	7 years	$70–$90
Maryland	None	Yes	Yes	4 years	$91–$161
Massachusetts	None	No	No	7 years	$80–$100
Michigan	$10,000	No	No	6–7 years	$90–$160
Minnesota	None	No	No	5 years	$160–$180
Mississippi	$5,000	No	No	4 years	$80–$120
Missouri	$10,000	Yes	Yes	4 years	$85–$135
Montana	$25,000	Yes (4-hr)	Yes	4 years	$135–$235
Nebraska	$15,000	No	Yes	4 years	$85–$125
Nevada	$10,000	Yes (3-hr)	Yes (in course)	4 years	$150–$210
New Hampshire	None	No	No	5 years	$95–$115
New Jersey	None	Yes	Yes	5 years	$60–$85
New Mexico	$10,000	Yes	Yes	4 years	$130–$230
New York	None	No	Yes	4 years	$95–$115
North Carolina	None	Yes (6-hr)	Yes	5 years	$130–$250
North Dakota	$7,500	No	No	4 years	$106–$126
Ohio	None	Yes	Yes	5 years	$165–$225
Oklahoma	$10,000	No	No	4 years	$135–$185
Oregon	None	Yes	Yes	4 years	$100–$180
Pennsylvania	$10,000 (rising to $25,000 for commissions on or after 3/28/2026)	Yes (3-hr)	Yes	4 years	$162–$332
Rhode Island	None	No	No	4 years	$100–$170
South Carolina	None	No	No	10 years	$50–$70
South Dakota	None	No	No	6 years	$80–$120
Tennessee	$10,000	No	No	4 years	$80–$120
Texas	None	Yes (2-hr, from 1/1/2026)	No	4 years	$100–$200
Utah	$5,000	No	Yes	4 years	$100–$150
Vermont	None	No	No	4 years	$90–$130
Virginia	None	No	No	4 years	$80–$130
Washington	$10,000	No	No	4 years	$100–$160
West Virginia	None	No	No	5 years	$80–$120
Wisconsin	$500	No	No	4 years	$80–$120
Wyoming	None	No	No	6 years	$80–$120

The Cheapest States to Become a Notary

If cost is your primary concern, look at the states with no bond, no exam, and no training. Iowa and South Carolina sit at the bottom of the table at $50 to $70 total: the application fee and supplies are the whole bill. Iowa deserves special mention as the most affordable state in the country at that price for a 3-year term. Georgia and Massachusetts also keep costs low at $60 to $120 with no bond required, though Georgia now requires a training class before appointment, and New Jersey requires both education and testing.

The Most Expensive States to Become a Notary

Louisiana tops the list at $320 to $500+ because it requires a $50,000 bond, a state-specific training course, and an exam. The tradeoff is that Louisiana commissions are lifetime appointments, so you pay once and never renew. California runs $250 to $400 due to mandatory education (6-hour course), a state proctored exam, Live Scan fingerprinting, and a $15,000 bond. Pennsylvania ($162 to $332) and Ohio ($165 to $225) also land on the higher end due to training and exam requirements.

Understanding Surety Bonds

A common source of confusion is the difference between the bond amount and what you actually pay. When a state requires a $10,000 surety bond, that does not mean you write a check for $10,000. The bond amount is the maximum the surety company would pay if you committed notary misconduct. What you pay is the annual premium, typically $30 to $100 depending on the bond amount and your credit. A $10,000 bond usually costs $30 to $50 per term. A $50,000 bond (Alabama, Louisiana) might run $75 to $150.

Additional Costs After Commissioning

Getting commissioned is step one. If you plan to work as a mobile notary or signing agent, budget for additional expenses:

• Dual-tray laser printer: $200 to $500 (essential for signing agents)
• Errors and Omissions insurance: $50 to $300 per year ($100K coverage recommended for signing agents)
• NNA Signing Agent certification: $150 to $200 (includes background check)
• Business cards and marketing: $50 to $200
• RON platform subscription: $120 to $600 per year (if adding remote online notarization)

Frequently Asked Questions