How to Become a Notary in Alabama (2026 Guide)

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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.
Application fee: $10 | Commission term: 4 years
Processing time: up to 6 weeks
Notary stamp required
Maximum fee: $5 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

You cannot become an Alabama notary if you have a felony conviction, unless your civil and political rights have been fully restored.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Purchase Your $50,000 Surety Bond

Alabama requires a $50,000 surety bond, the highest in the country. The premium costs about $75. Purchase it from a bonding company or insurance agent.

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. The judge may charge a $10 fee. The judge has full authority to require training or an exam at their discretion: requirements vary by county. 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+

Maximum Allowable Fees

Alabama sets the following fee caps:

$10 per acknowledgment
$10 per oath or affirmation
$10 per protest of a negotiable instrument

Authorized Notarial Acts

Take acknowledgments
Administer oaths and affirmations
Note protests of negotiable instruments
Perform other acts according to commercial usage or Alabama law

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 October 2026 and may change notary requirements. 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.

Alabama’s $50,000 bond is the highest in the country: neighboring Georgia requires training and a journal but no bond, Mississippi requires no bond, and Tennessee requires no bond. The probate judge appointment system is also unusual. Most states process applications through the Secretary of State.

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, 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.

Employer Obligations

Your notary commission is personal. It does not belong to your employer
If you leave your job, your stamp and commission go with you
Your employer cannot require you to skip proper notarization procedures
An employer who pressures you into misconduct may share legal liability

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	No
Term	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years
Max Fee	$10	$5	$5	None
RON	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes

Alabama’s $50,000 bond (Act 2023-548) is the highest in the Southeast by far. Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee all require no bond. Alabama and Georgia both recently added training requirements.