How to Become a Notary in Mississippi (2026 Guide)

Q: Do I need a surety bond in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi requires a $5,000 surety bond — one of the highest in the country.

Published February 20, 2023 · Updated May 21, 2026

Key Takeaways

No exam or training required
$5,000 surety bond required
Application fee: $25 | Commission term: 4 years
Notary stamp required
Maximum fee: $5 per notarial act, RON not permitted
Must be 18+, a MS resident, with no felony convictions

No exam or training required. Here’s how the process works.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old
Be a resident of Mississippi
Have no felony convictions (unless rights restored)

Disqualifying Factors

Felony convictions (unless pardoned or rights restored) can disqualify you from becoming a Mississippi notary.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Purchase Your $5,000 Surety Bond

Mississippi requires a $5,000 surety bond. The premium costs about $30 for the 4-year term.

Step 2: Apply Through Your Circuit Clerk

Submit your application and bond to your county circuit clerk, not the Secretary of State. Pay the $25 fee.

Step 3: Purchase Your Stamp

Mississippi requires a notary stamp. Order one after approval.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
Application fee	$25
$5,000 surety bond premium	~$30
Notary stamp (required)	$15-$25
Notary journal (recommended)	$10-$50
Total	$80-$130

Maximum Allowable Fees

Mississippi sets a maximum of $5 per acknowledgment and $5 per person for jurats and oaths. Remote online notarization is not permitted in Mississippi.

Authorized Notarial Acts

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

Notary Stamp Requirements

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

Notarizing for Family Members

Mississippi 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 circuit clerk can revoke your commission for misconduct. Felony convictions result in automatic disqualification.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

Not required, but strongly recommended given the $5,000 bond: E&O protects you personally beyond what the bond covers.

Renewal

4 years. The renewal process is the same as the initial application through your circuit clerk.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Mississippi does not permit remote online notarization. All notarial acts must be performed in person.

Becoming a Signing Agent

After receiving your commission, complete a signing agent certification program. Mississippi is not an attorney state for real estate closings.

Mississippi’s $5,000 bond is one of the highest in the country, tied with Alabama and Montana. Neighboring Louisiana requires $50,000; Tennessee requires no bond; Alabama requires $5,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a notary exam in Mississippi?

No. Mississippi does not require a notary exam or training course.

Do I need a surety bond in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi requires a $5,000 surety bond: one of the highest in the country.

How long does a Mississippi notary commission last?

4 years. Renew through your circuit clerk.

Is a notary stamp required in Mississippi?

Yes. All Mississippi notaries must have a notary stamp.

How much can a Mississippi notary charge?

Mississippi sets a maximum of $5 per acknowledgment, $5 per person for jurats and oaths.

Can Mississippi notaries perform remote online notarizations?

Yes. Check with the Secretary of State for registration requirements.

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 to Become a Notary in Mississippi (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Requirements

Disqualifying Factors