Notary Bond Cost by State: What You Actually Pay (2026)
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A notary surety bond protects the public from notary misconduct, but it is one of the most misunderstood costs in the commissioning process. When a state requires a $10,000 bond, you do not pay $10,000. You pay a small premium to a surety company, typically $30 to $100. About 30 states require some form of surety bond, while the rest have no bond requirement at all. Here is what every state requires and what you will actually pay.
How Notary Surety Bonds Work
A notary surety bond is a three-party agreement between you (the notary), a surety company, and the state. The bond guarantees that if you make an error or commit fraud that causes financial harm to someone, the surety company will pay damages up to the bond amount. You then reimburse the surety company. Think of it as insurance that protects the public, not you. For your own protection, you would purchase separate errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.
Notary Bond Requirements by State
The table below shows the required bond amount and estimated premium cost for each state. States marked “None” do not require a bond. Premium costs are approximate and vary by provider and credit score.
| State | Bond Amount Required | Estimated Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,000 | $75–$150/year |
| Alaska | $2,500 | $30–$50/term |
| Arizona | $5,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Arkansas | $7,500 | $30–$50/term |
| California | $15,000 | $38–$75/term |
| Colorado | None | — |
| Connecticut | None | — |
| Delaware | None | — |
| Florida | $7,500 | $30–$50/term |
| Georgia | None | — |
| Hawaii | $1,000 | $25–$35/term |
| Idaho | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Illinois | $5,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Indiana | $25,000 | $50–$100/term |
| Iowa | None | — |
| Kansas | $12,000 | $35–$60/term |
| Kentucky | $1,000 | $30–$40 |
| Louisiana | $50,000 | $75–$150/year |
| Maine | None | — |
| Maryland | None | — |
| Massachusetts | None | — |
| Michigan | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Minnesota | None | — |
| Mississippi | $5,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Missouri | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Montana | $25,000 | $50–$100/term |
| Nebraska | $15,000 | $38–$75/term |
| Nevada | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| New Hampshire | None | — |
| New Jersey | None | — |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| New York | None | — |
| North Carolina | None | — |
| North Dakota | $7,500 | $30–$50/term |
| Ohio | None | — |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Oregon | None | — |
| Pennsylvania | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Rhode Island | None | — |
| South Carolina | None | — |
| South Dakota | None | — |
| Tennessee | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Texas | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Utah | $5,000 | $30–$50/term |
| Vermont | None | — |
| Virginia | None | — |
| Washington | $10,000 | $30–$50/term |
| West Virginia | None | — |
| Wisconsin | $500 | $20–$30/term |
| Wyoming | None | — |
States With the Highest Bond Requirements
Alabama and Louisiana both require $50,000 bonds, the highest in the nation. Indiana and Montana require $25,000 bonds. These higher amounts reflect states that have recently updated their notary laws to provide more consumer protection. Despite the high bond amounts, the premiums stay manageable: even a $50,000 bond typically costs $75 to $150 per term.
States That Eliminated Bond Requirements
Several states have removed bond requirements entirely in recent years. South Dakota eliminated its bond in July 2025 (HB 1133). West Virginia eliminated its bond in 2018, and Wyoming removed its bond requirement in 2021. These states decided that E&O insurance and other consumer protections made the bond unnecessary.
Bond Amount vs Premium: What You Actually Pay
The most common confusion around notary bonds is the difference between the bond amount and the premium. The bond amount ($5,000, $10,000, $50,000) is the maximum the surety company would pay out if you caused financial harm through notary misconduct. The premium is what you actually pay, typically a small percentage of the bond amount.
Here is how premiums generally break down:
- $500 to $5,000 bond: $20 to $50 per term
- $7,500 to $15,000 bond: $30 to $75 per term
- $25,000 bond: $50 to $100 per term
- $50,000 bond: $75 to $150 per term
Your actual premium depends on your credit score, the surety company, and your state. Many companies offer 4-year or 6-year term bonds that cover your entire commission period in one payment.
Surety Bond vs E&O Insurance
A surety bond protects the public. E&O insurance protects you. If a client sues you for a notarial error, E&O insurance covers your legal defense and any judgment. The bond does not help you at all. If the surety pays out on a claim, you have to reimburse them. Every notary should consider carrying E&O insurance regardless of whether their state requires a bond, especially if you do signing agent work. A $100,000 E&O policy costs about $150 to $300 per year and is required by most title companies and signing services.
How to Get a Notary Bond
Notary bonds are available from surety companies, notary supply companies, and insurance agents. The NNA, Notary Rotary, and most state notary organizations sell bonds as part of commissioning packages. The process is straightforward: you provide your personal information, pay the premium, and receive a bond certificate that you file with your state application. Most bonds are issued instantly online. If your state requires a bond, you cannot receive your commission without one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a notary surety bond?
A notary surety bond is a financial guarantee that protects the public from notary errors or misconduct. If a notary causes financial harm, the surety company pays the claimant up to the bond amount, and the notary reimburses the surety.
Do all states require a notary bond?
No. About 20 states have no bond requirement. States like California, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania do require bonds, while states like New York, Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina do not.
How much does a $10,000 notary bond cost?
A $10,000 notary bond typically costs $30 to $50 for the full commission term (usually 4 years). The premium varies by provider and credit score, but it is one of the smaller expenses in the commissioning process.
Is a notary bond the same as insurance?
No. A surety bond protects the public, not the notary. If a claim is paid, you must reimburse the surety company. For your own protection, purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, which covers your legal costs if you are sued for a notarial error.
Where can I buy a notary bond?
Notary bonds are available from the NNA, Notary Rotary, state notary organizations, surety companies, and many notary supply websites. Most providers issue bonds instantly online as part of a commissioning package that includes your seal and journal.
