How to Become a Notary in Montana (2026 Guide)

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Key Takeaways

• 50-question online exam required
• $25,000 surety bond required (one of the highest in the US)
• Application fee: $25 + training ($25-$60) | Commission term: 4 years
• Notary stamp and journal both required
• Maximum fee: $10 per notarial act
• RON available with additional requirements
• Must be a MT resident, employed in MT, or hold a MT professional license

Becoming a Montana notary takes a training course, a 50-question online exam, a $25,000 surety bond, and a $25 application, and the commission runs four years with the state requiring both stamp and journal. Montana’s 2019 notary-law rewrite also repealed the old fee schedule, so there is no maximum per-act fee — you set your rate and disclose it up front.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Montana resident, the spouse/dependent of military personnel in MT, maintain a registered business in MT, be regularly employed in MT, or hold a current MT professional license

Disqualifying Factors

Montana evaluates applicants on a case-by-case basis. Criminal history and providing false information can disqualify you.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete Training and Pass the Exam

Take the 50-question online exam through the Montana Secretary of State. Training courses cost $25-$60 depending on the provider.

Step 2: Purchase Your $25,000 Surety Bond

Obtain a $25,000 surety bond from an authorized insurance company. This is one of the highest bond requirements in the country.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Mail your application, bond, training certificate, and $25 fee to the Secretary of State.

Step 4: Purchase Your Stamp and Journal

Both are required in Montana. Order them after approval.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
Application fee	$25
Training course	$25-$60
$25,000 surety bond premium	~$70
Notary stamp (required)	$15-$25
Notary journal (required)	$10-$50
Total	$145-$230

How Much You Can Charge

Montana sets no maximum notary fee — the fee provision died in the 2019 rewrite of the notary statutes, and the Secretary of State confirms no cap. Charge a reasonable fee and disclose it before the act. Additional fees for electronic or communication-technology services are allowed, and travel fees are separate: agree on them in advance, and if you quote mileage at the IRS rate, the 2026 figures are 72.5 cents per mile through June 30 and 76 cents from July 1.

Authorized Notarial Acts

• Take acknowledgments
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Take verifications
• Witness signatures
• Certify copies
• Protest negotiable instruments

Notary Stamp Requirements

Montana requires a notary stamp. All notarized documents must bear your official seal.

Notarizing for Family Members

MT does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. Avoid notarizing documents where you have a direct financial or beneficial interest.

Penalties for Notary Misconduct

Montana can revoke your commission for misconduct. The 50-question exam and mandatory training show the state expects notary competence.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

Not required, but strongly recommended given the $25,000 bond: E&O protects you personally beyond what the bond covers.

Renewal

4 years. You must retake the exam and purchase a new bond to renew.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Montana allows RON. Active notaries can apply to perform remote online notarizations with additional requirements, including approved communication technology and electronic record-keeping.

Becoming a Signing Agent

After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program. Montana is not an attorney state for real estate closings, and the Billings-Bozeman corridor carries enough volume for a part-time agent.

Montana’s $25,000 bond is among the highest in the country, though Alabama ($50,000) and Louisiana ($50,000) now sit above it. The neighbors go the other way: Wyoming requires training and an exam but no bond at all, North Dakota takes $7,500, and Idaho takes $10,000.

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

Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Montana Secretary of State and MCA Title 1.