How to Become a Notary in Michigan (2026 Guide)

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Key Takeaways

• No exam or training course required
• $10,000 surety bond required (the state’s own published premium range is $50-$100)
• Application fee: $10 + county filing fee (varies) | Commission term: 6-7 years
• Processing time: 4-6 weeks after submitting paperwork
• Must be 18+, a MI resident or business owner, and a US citizen or legal resident
• Notary stamp not legally required, but recommended
• Maximum fee: $10 per notarial act
• RON (remote online notarization) available under PA 246

Becoming a Michigan notary costs about $95 to $195 and takes three moves: buy a $10,000 surety bond ($50-$100 premium, per the state’s own published range), file the bond and oath with your county clerk, and submit the $10 state application. There is no exam and no course, the commission runs six to seven years, and the maximum fee is $10 per notarial act. Processing takes four to six weeks.

Requirements

To become a notary public in Michigan, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a resident of Michigan or maintain a place of business in Michigan
• Be a US citizen or possess proof of legal presence
• Be a resident of (or have a principal place of business in) the county where you request your appointment
• Be able to read and write English

Disqualifying Factors

Two bars apply: any felony conviction within the past ten years, or a record of misdemeanors under the Michigan Notary Public Act, two within 12 months or three within five years, whether or not you hold a commission at the time.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Purchase Your $10,000 Surety Bond

Michigan requires a $10,000 surety bond before you apply. You purchase this from a surety licensed in Michigan (you can search licensed agencies through the Department of Insurance and Financial Services). The state’s own page publishes the typical premium range: $50 to $100 for the full term.

The bond is an agreement between three parties: you (the notary), the public (protected by the bond), and the surety company. The bond protects the public, not you personally. If a claim is paid out, you are responsible for reimbursing the surety company.

Step 2: File with Your County Clerk

Bring your application and surety bond to your county clerk. Pay the county filing fee (usually $10, though some counties charge more) and take the oath of office administered by the clerk’s office. Attorneys licensed in Michigan are exempt from this bond-and-oath filing, the one professional exemption in the process.

Step 3: Submit Your Application to the State

Complete the notary application online or by mail. Upload or mail your final application and pay the $10 non-refundable filing fee. Processing takes 4-6 weeks.

Step 4: Read the Notary Public Act and Buy Supplies

Once approved, you must read the Michigan Notary Public Act (MCL Chapter 55). Purchase a notary stamp and a journal. See stamp requirements below.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
$10,000 surety bond premium	$50-$100 (state-published range)
State filing fee	$10
County filing fee	Varies (~$10)
Notary stamp (recommended)	$15-$25
Notary journal (recommended)	$10-$50
Total	$95-$195

Maximum Allowable Fees

Michigan allows notaries to charge up to $10 per notarial act under MCL 55.307. You may also charge for travel expenses, but this must be agreed upon with the signer in advance.

Authorized Notarial Acts

• Take acknowledgments
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Take verifications upon oath or affirmation
• Witness or attest signatures
• Certify or attest copies
• Note protests of negotiable instruments
• Perform other acts authorized by MCL Chapter 55

Notary Stamp Requirements

Michigan does not legally require a notary stamp. However, most notaries use one because it provides clear identification and additional security. If you use a stamp, it must include your name exactly as it appears on your commission, the words “Notary Public,” “State of Michigan,” “County of [your county],” and your commission expiration date.

Notarizing for Family Members

Michigan is one of the few states with a flat statutory family ban. Under MCL 55.291(8) you may not notarize for a spouse, lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, or sibling, and the statute expressly sweeps in in-laws, step-relatives, and half-relatives. Beyond the ban, the general rule applies everywhere: no notarization where you hold a direct financial or beneficial interest. Our state-by-state family notarization guide shows where else the rule is this strict.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

Michigan does not require errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. However, E&O insurance protects you personally beyond what the surety bond covers. The bond protects the public; E&O protects you. Most Michigan notaries carry at least $10,000 in E&O coverage, especially those who work as signing agents.

Penalties for Misconduct

Performing a notarial act without a valid commission is a misdemeanor under MCL 55.301. Falsely certifying that a document was acknowledged or executed before you is a felony. A notary commission can be revoked for misconduct, failure to maintain the surety bond, or conviction of a felony.

Your Commission Belongs to You

An employer cannot require an employee to perform notarial acts outside the scope of their employment duties, and cannot hold or control an employee’s notary stamp, journal, or commission. The commission belongs to the individual notary, not the employer, even if the employer paid for the bond and supplies.

Renewal

Michigan notary commissions last 6-7 years (ending on your birthday). The renewal process is the same as the initial application: purchase a new bond, file with your county clerk, and submit your application. Apply before your commission expires to avoid a gap. Michigan does not have a formal grace period. You cannot notarize after your commission expires.

Electronic Notarization

Michigan allows electronic notarization (e-notarization). These are in-person notarial acts involving digital documents and electronic signatures. To become an e-notary, you need an active notary commission and must register with an approved electronic notarization platform from the state’s authorized vendor list. Complete the Request for Duplicate/Notice of Change form (existing notaries) or include your vendor selection on your application (new notaries).

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Michigan authorized remote online notarization under PA 246 (2020). Any notary with an active commission can register to perform RON. You must use a state-approved RON platform and comply with additional journal and recording requirements under MCL 55.286b. RON journals and audio/video recordings must be retained for at least 10 years.

Becoming a Signing Agent

Michigan is not an attorney state for real estate closings, which makes it a strong market for notary signing agents. A signing agent is a notary who specializes in handling loan documents for real estate transactions: home purchases, refinances, and closing paperwork. Signing agents work with lenders, title companies, and signing services, and most complete a background check on top of training. See our guide to becoming a notary signing agent for training details.

How Michigan Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Michigan	Ohio	Indiana	Wisconsin
Bond	$10,000	None	None	$500
Exam	No	Yes	No	No
Training	No	Vendor course	No	No
Term	6-7 years	5 years	8 years	4 years
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Michigan is the only state in this group requiring a bond, at $10,000; Ohio and Indiana require none and Wisconsin’s is $500. Ohio is also the only one that tests. Indiana offers the longest commission term at 8 years. Guides: Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Michigan Secretary of State and MCL Chapter 55.