In most states, yes — you have to be bonded to be a notary, and you generally can’t submit your commission application without proof of an active surety bond. A handful of states skip the bonding requirement entirely. Required bond amounts run anywhere from $500 to $50,000 depending on where you’re commissioned, so the first thing to do is check your state’s commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State) for the current rule that applies to you.1National Association of Legal Assistants. RLI Notary FAQs
Who a Notary Bond Actually Protects
A notary bond protects the public, not you. If a mistake or act of misconduct while notarizing a document causes someone financial harm, that person can file a claim against your bond. The surety company investigates, and if the claim has merit, it pays damages up to the bond’s face value.2National Notary Association. Differences between E&O and Bonds
Here is the part that catches most new notaries off guard: you owe that money back. A surety bond is not insurance for you. It functions more like a guaranteed line of credit the surety extends on your behalf. If the surety pays a claim, you are legally obligated to reimburse the full amount, plus any legal costs the surety incurred. You can also be held personally liable for damages above the bond amount.2National Notary Association. Differences between E&O and Bonds
Bond Amounts by State
Required bond amounts vary widely. A few states set the amount at $500 or $1,000. Most states that require bonds land somewhere in the $5,000 to $15,000 range. On the high end, a couple of states require $50,000.
The bond amount is not what you pay out of pocket. It is the maximum the surety will pay on a valid claim filed against you. Your actual cost is the premium, which is a small fraction of that number. Because these requirements change, confirm the current amount and filing rules through your state’s commissioning authority before you apply.
What It Costs and How to Buy One
Notary bond premiums are genuinely inexpensive. A $5,000 bond typically runs about $35 to $100 for the full commission term. A $10,000 bond usually costs $60 to $150. Even a $25,000 bond generally falls between $80 and $180. The premium covers your entire commission term, so this is not a recurring monthly or annual charge.
Unlike many other surety bonds, notary bonds are almost always issued without a credit check or financial underwriting. The application is free; you pay the premium only after approval.
Getting bonded is straightforward. Contact any surety or insurance company licensed to sell notary bonds in your state, complete a short application, and pay the premium. You need one key piece of information from your state’s notary application instructions: the exact bond amount required. The name on your bond must match the name on your notary application exactly.3The Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor Notary.Utah.Gov. Notary Public Process and Qualifications
Once approved, the surety issues an official bond document. You then file it with the designated state or county office. In some states that is the same office that processes commissions; in others it is the county clerk where you live or have your principal place of business.4National Notary Association. Notary Surety Bonds FAQs
Timing matters. Some states require the bond to be submitted with your initial application. Others give you a window after your commission is issued, often 30 to 45 days, to file it.4National Notary Association. Notary Surety Bonds FAQs Missing that window can void your commission.
Renewals and Lapses
Your bond is tied to your commission term. When your commission expires and you apply to renew, you need a new bond that covers the full new term. You can’t carry over an old bond, even one that hasn’t yet expired. The renewal follows the same process: buy from a surety, then file with the appropriate office along with your renewal application.
Letting your bond lapse while your commission is still active can cost you the authority to perform notarial acts until a new bond is in place. Some states treat that gap the same as operating without a commission at all.
Extra Rules for Remote Online Notarization
If you plan to perform remote online notarizations (RON), check whether your state imposes a separate or higher bond. As RON has grown, many states have set elevated bonding requirements for notaries who notarize over video. Some states require a $25,000 bond specifically for RON, which is significantly higher than the standard notary bond in those same states. A few states also require Errors and Omissions insurance as an additional condition for RON authorization. These rules are changing quickly, so verify the current requirements before registering for RON.
What Happens If You Skip It
In states that mandate bonding, operating without a valid bond can trigger several problems:
- Your commission application or renewal will be rejected if you don’t submit proof of an active bond.
- If your bond lapses mid-term, your commissioning authority can suspend or revoke your commission.
- Performing notarial acts without a valid commission is a criminal offense in many states, ranging from a misdemeanor to more serious charges depending on the jurisdiction.
- Without a bond, there is no surety to absorb any portion of a damage claim. You are personally and directly liable for the full amount of any financial harm your notarizations cause.
Notarizations performed while unbonded can also be legally challenged, which creates problems for every person whose documents you notarized during that period.
Why Many Notaries Also Buy E&O Insurance
Because the bond protects the public and leaves you on the hook for repayment, many notaries add Errors and Omissions insurance on top of it. E&O works the way most people expect insurance to work: if you make an unintentional mistake while notarizing, or someone files a false claim against you, E&O pays for your legal defense and any resulting damages up to the policy limit, and you do not repay the insurer.2National Notary Association. Differences between E&O and Bonds
A few states require E&O coverage in addition to a surety bond, and some require it specifically for notaries performing remote online notarizations. Where it isn’t required, it is still worth pricing out, since your bond alone leaves you owing every dollar the surety pays on your behalf.