How to Become a Notary in Alabama (2026 Guide)
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Key Takeaways
- $50,000 surety bond required: tied with Louisiana for the highest in the country (premium ~$75)
- Mandatory online training required (since Sept 2023). No state exam.
- Application fee: $10 | Commission term: 4 years
- Processing time: up to 6 weeks
- Notary stamp required
- Maximum fee: $10 per notarial act
- Must be 18+, an AL resident living in the county where appointed
- Remote notarization for acknowledgments only (RIN model)
- HB110 takes effect October 2026: check for requirement changes
Alabama has one of the highest bond requirements in the country ($50,000) and uses a county probate judge appointment system instead of a centralized Secretary of State process. Each county may have slightly different requirements at the judge’s discretion.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of Alabama
- Be a resident of the county where you are appointed
- Not have a felony conviction unless your civil rights have been restored
Disqualifying Factors
Besides a felony conviction (unless your civil and political rights have been fully restored), Act 2023-548 lists these denial grounds: a crime of moral turpitude, being a current debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, a current order of incapacity, false information on the application, applying to the wrong county’s judge, and failing to complete the required training within 30 days of applying.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Purchase Your $50,000 Surety Bond
Alabama requires a $50,000 surety bond — tied with Louisiana (which raised its bond in February 2026) for the highest in the country. The premium costs about $75. Purchase it from a bonding company or insurance agent licensed in Alabama, and have it approved and recorded with the probate judge before you perform any notarial act (Ala. Code 36-20-71).
Step 2: Submit to Your County Probate Judge
Complete the notary application and submit it with your bond to the county probate judge for approval. Since September 1, 2023 (Act 2023-548), the training requirement is statewide law, not a county option: every new and renewing applicant must complete the pre-commission training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute, within 30 days of submitting the application. Each applicant pays a $10 application fee, and the judge collects $25 for each commission issued. The county then sends your commission information to the Alabama Secretary of State.
Step 3: Purchase Your Notary Seal
Alabama requires a notary stamp or seal. You must have it before you can perform notarizations.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| $50,000 surety bond premium | ~$75 |
| Mandatory training course | Varies |
| Application fee | $10 |
| Notary stamp (required) | $15-$25 |
| Notary journal (recommended) | $10-$50 |
| Total | $110-$190+ |
How Much You Can Charge
Alabama sets the following fee caps:
- $10 per acknowledgment
- $10 per oath or affirmation
- $10 per protest of a negotiable instrument
Government employees may not charge for notarial acts performed as part of their public service.
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Note protests of negotiable instruments
- Perform other acts according to commercial usage or Alabama law
Authorized Notarial Acts
Notary Stamp Requirements
Alabama requires a notary seal or stamp. You cannot perform notarizations without one.
Notarizing for Family Members
Alabama does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. Avoid notarizing documents where you have a direct financial or beneficial interest.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
The county probate judge who appointed you has authority over your commission. Misconduct can result in revocation. Felony convictions result in automatic disqualification unless civil rights are restored.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but strongly recommended given Alabama’s $50,000 bond. E&O protects you personally beyond what the bond covers. The bond protects the public: E&O protects you.
Renewal
Alabama notary commissions last 4 years. The renewal process varies by county: speak to your probate judge. Processing takes up to 6 weeks.
Upcoming Law Change: HB110 (October 2026)
Alabama HB110 takes effect this month (October 2026) and may change notary requirements. We have not verified its final contents against the enrolled bill — check with your county probate judge for the latest requirements before applying or renewing.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Alabama allows remote notarization for acknowledgments only (Senate Bill 275, effective July 2021). This is a hybrid approach, the signer appears via videoconference but the document uses wet-ink signatures (Remote Ink-Signed Notarization or RIN). Jurats, oaths, and other notarial acts must still be performed in person.
Becoming a Signing Agent
After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program. Alabama is not an attorney state for real estate closings, so signing agents can handle loan document signings, and the Birmingham-Huntsville corridor generates steady purchase and refi work.
Alabama’s $50,000 bond ties Louisiana for the highest in the country. Among the neighbors, Georgia takes no bond but requires training (HB1292) and a journal for self-filer work, Mississippi takes $5,000, and Tennessee takes $10,000 with the county clerk. The probate judge appointment system is the other unusual part — most states run applications through the Secretary of State.
Your Commission Belongs to You
Your commission is personal: it does not belong to your employer, and your stamp and commission go with you when you change jobs. No employer can require you to skip proper notarization procedure, and one who pressures you into misconduct can share the liability for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Alabama?
No state exam is required. However, your county probate judge may require a test at their discretion.
Do I need a surety bond in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama requires a $50,000 surety bond, tied with Louisiana for the highest in the country. The premium costs about $75.
How long does an Alabama notary commission last?
4 years. Renewal processes vary by county: speak to your probate judge.
Is a notary stamp required in Alabama?
Yes. All Alabama notaries must purchase a notary seal or stamp.
How much can an Alabama notary charge?
$10 per acknowledgment, $10 per oath/affirmation, $10 per protest.
Can Alabama notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes, but only for acknowledgments. Alabama uses a Remote Ink-Signed Notarization (RIN) model, the signer appears via videoconference, but the document itself uses wet-ink signatures. Jurats, oaths, and all other acts require in-person appearance.
How Alabama Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | Alabama | Georgia | Mississippi | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | $50,000 | None | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Exam | No | No | No | No |
| Training | Yes (mandatory) | Yes (HB1292) | No | Online notaries (2026) |
| Term | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years |
| Max Fee | $10 | $2 | $5 | None (in-person) |
| RON | RIN only | Not permitted | Yes | Yes |
Alabama’s $50,000 bond (training requirement via Act 2023-548) is the Southeast’s heaviest by far. Georgia takes no bond but pairs training with a $2 fee cap and no remote notarization; Mississippi skips the exam and course but takes $5,000; Tennessee takes $10,000 and caps only its online acts. Full guides: Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Alabama Secretary of State and Alabama Code Title 36.
