How to Become a Notary in Indiana
Are you interested in becoming a notary public so you can perform notarial acts? Becoming a notary can be an exciting way to use your knowledge and skills while supplementing your income. In Indiana, the requirements for becoming a notary are pretty clear-cut; however, it is essential to follow all steps correctly to ensure that your application is accepted. To help you on your path toward becoming an Indiana Notary Public, this blog post will explain how to navigate this process quickly and efficiently so that you can join their ranks as soon as possible!
What are the Indiana notary requirements?
To be eligible to become a Notary Public in Indiana, you must:
- be at least eighteen (18) years old or older.
- be a permanent legal resident of Indiana or have a job in Indiana.
- be eligible to receive a commission.
What disqualifies you from being an Indiana notary public?
The following disqualifies an individual from becoming a Notary Public in Indiana:
- Not following the Indiana notary law or not fulfilling the duties of a notary public.
- Lying or leaving relevant facts off of the notary application.
- Having a conviction or civil ruling involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud.
- Conviction of a crime where the sentence imposed exceeded six months.
- Using false or misleading advertising or claiming rights that an Indiana notary public does not have.
- Failure to maintain a surety bond.
What’s the process to become an Indiana notary?
- Get a $25,000 surety bond. Before submitting your application, you must purchase an Indiana notary bond for $25,000. This bond is provided to notaries to cover the costs associated with any negligence or errors that may occur while performing their duties as a Notary Public.
- Get an Indiana State Police limited criminal history record. You must obtain a limited criminal history record from the Indiana State Police that is no more than thirty days old. This will ensure that you have not been convicted of any crimes that would disqualify you from becoming a Notary Public in Indiana.
- Apply online and complete an Indiana Notary Application. Indiana notary applicants can only apply online at the state website.
- Take a notary education course and pass an exam. This is done after you pay the fee to submit the online application.
Is notary training or a notary exam required to become a notary in Indiana?
Yes. In Indiana, all notaries are required to complete training and pass an exam to receive a notary commission.
How long is the term of a notary public commission in Indiana?
The term of a notary public commission in Indiana is eight years. At the end of this period, you must renew your commission by reapplying to become a Notary Public again.
Do Indiana notaries need continuing education?
Yes, all Notaries Public in Indiana must complete continuing education requirements every two years to maintain their commission. The state charges a $50 fee for this course.
Is a notary bond required to become a notary in Indiana?
Yes, a $25,000 surety bond is required to become a notary in Indiana. This bond is provided to the notaries by an insurance company and serves as a form of protection for them and their customers against any errors or negligence that may occur while performing their duties.
Is a notary errors and omissions insurance policy required to become a notary in Indiana?
No, errors and omissions insurance is not required to become a notary in Indiana. However, it is highly recommended that all Notaries Public in the state obtain this policy to protect themselves from any potential liability or financial loss that may arise from their actions as a notary.
How much can an Indiana notary public charge for performing notarial acts?
An Indiana notary public may charge a maximum fee of $10.00 per signature for normal notarizations and $25 for online remote notarization.
Does Indiana require a notary seal?
Indiana requires that all notaries must use a seal for each notarial act with the following requirements:
- The words “notary public”
- The words “State of Indiana”
- The word “seal”
- The notary public’s official name precisely as it appears on the notary’s commission certificate
- The words “commission number” followed by the notary’s commission number
- The words “My commission expires” followed by the notary public’s commission expiration date.
How long does it take to be a notary in Indiana?
After completing the application, the notary applicant will be contacted by the Indiana Secretary of State. The processing period should be within 5-10 business days.
Does Indiana allow online notary?
Yes. You can become a Remote Notary and perform remote notarial acts if you are already a Notary Public. You must fill out an online form and take an online education course. You also need to pass a remote notary exam. There is a $100 fee to apply.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Indiana?
State-required fees:
- Notary Public Application: $75
- Limited Criminal History Record Check: $16.32
- Continuing Education Course ($50 every two years): $150
The $25,000 notary bond should cost about $70.
You’ll also need to purchase your Indiana notary supplies. An Indiana notary stamp could cost you anywhere from $15 to $25, and a notary journal may set you back between ten and fifty dollars.
You will likely also require additional items such as pens, post-it notes, or simply more ink for your stamp. Thus the overall expenditure on your necessary supplies would depend greatly on what exactly it is that you need.
How do you become a notary signing agent in Indiana?
To become a signing agent and notarize real estate transactions in Indiana, you must first become a commission Notary Public. You’ll also need to be a licensed title insurance producer.
After you obtain your notary public commission from the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, you should take a course on notary signing agent best practices and certification. Additionally, you should obtain errors and omissions insurance to protect yourself from any potential liability or financial loss. Lastly, you should register with a title company or entity that specializes in notary services so they can contact you when they need your services.
Once you are a certified notary signing agent in Indiana, you can provide professional and accurate document signings for customers who need your help. It is important that you follow all applicable laws and regulations when performing notarial acts. You should also keep up with any changes in the law or industry updates to remain compliant and provide the best service possible.
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