To get a notary bond, buy a surety bond in the amount your state requires from a company licensed to write bonds in your state, then file that bond with the correct state or county office along with your oath of office before your commission takes effect. The purchase itself usually takes under an hour online. The filing step is where new notaries most often trip up, because miss the deadline and your commission can be voided.
Confirm Your State Requires a Bond and in What Amount
Not every state requires a notary bond. Most do, but a handful either skip the requirement entirely or handle it differently. Before you shop for a surety company, look up your state’s specific rules through the secretary of state’s website or the state agency that oversees notary commissions.
Where a bond is required, the amount is set by law, so you don’t choose it the way you’d choose insurance limits. Required amounts range from $500 to $50,000 depending on the state. A $10,000 bond is among the most common. Some states also require a higher bond amount, or a separate bond, for remote online notarization, so if you plan to notarize by video, check that before you buy.
Meet the Eligibility Requirements First
A bond is useless without a commission, and you have to qualify for the commission before the bond does anything for you. Requirements vary, but most states ask that you be at least 18, a legal resident of the state, and free of disqualifying criminal convictions. Some states run background checks during the application.
A growing number of states require first-time applicants to complete a notary education course covering legal duties, identification procedures, and record-keeping. Some states offer the course free through their own websites; others require approved third-party providers that charge roughly $25 to $200. A few states also require passing a written exam.
Buy the Bond From a Licensed Surety
Look for a surety company or insurance agency licensed to write bonds in your state. Many notary supply vendors sell bonds directly on their websites alongside stamps and journals. Verify licensing in your state before paying anything, because a bond issued by an unlicensed company won’t be accepted when you file.
The application is usually a short online form asking for your name, address, and basic personal details. Most surety companies run a soft credit check as part of underwriting. Bad credit won’t necessarily prevent you from getting bonded, but it can push your premium higher because the surety views you as a greater financial risk. Outright denial over credit is uncommon for the relatively small amounts notaries need.
Once you pay the premium and the company approves the application, you’ll receive the completed bond document. Keep a copy for your records and use the original for filing with your state.
What You’ll Pay for the Bond Itself
The premium is a one-time payment covering your entire commission term, typically four years. Rough ranges:
- $5,000 bond: about $35 to $100
- $10,000 bond: about $60 to $150
- $25,000 or larger bond: about $80 to $180
The premium is a small fraction of the bond’s face value because the surety isn’t giving you that money. It’s guaranteeing your conduct and expects you to cover any claims it pays out.
File the Bond With Your State
Having the bond in hand isn’t enough. You have to file it with the correct office before your commission is valid and you can legally notarize. Most states direct you to the secretary of state or the county clerk in the county where you reside.
Watch the deadline. Many states give you a fixed window, often around 30 days from the start date of your commission, to file the bond along with your oath of office. Miss it and your commission may be voided, forcing you to restart the entire application. Filing methods vary: some states accept online submissions, others require mailing originals, and some allow in-person filing at the county clerk’s office. Your state’s notary application instructions will specify.
Expect to file more than just the bond. An oath of office is required in nearly every state. Some states also require the original commission certificate, a filing fee, or proof that you completed the education requirement. Gather everything your state requires before submitting, so you don’t hold up your own commission over a missing form.
Other Costs to Budget Alongside the Bond
The premium isn’t the only expense. Plan for the full picture:
- Application fee: commonly $10 to $60 to process the state commission application.
- Filing fee: often under $50, charged by the county clerk or secretary of state to record your bond and oath.
- Education course: roughly $25 to $200 through third-party providers, if your state requires training and doesn’t offer it free.
- Stamp or seal: about $15 to $40. Nearly every state requires one, and specifications vary.
- Journal or record book: $10 to $25. Many states require you to log every notarization you perform.
Several notary supply companies bundle bonds, stamps, journals, and other supplies into packages that can cost less than buying everything separately. Confirm the bond in any package is issued by a surety licensed in your state and that the stamp meets your state’s formatting rules.
Know What the Bond Actually Protects
The bond protects the public, not you. If you make a serious mistake or act dishonestly while notarizing, someone who suffers financial harm can file a claim against your bond. The surety investigates and, if the claim is valid, pays the injured party up to the bond’s face value. Then the surety demands full reimbursement from you, including any legal costs it incurred. That obligation is written into the indemnity agreement you sign when you buy the bond.
A paid claim can also make it harder or more expensive to get bonded for your next commission term, since sureties track claims history the way auto insurers track accidents.
Errors and Omissions Insurance Is Separate
Errors and omissions insurance is not the same thing as a bond, and this trips up a lot of new notaries. Your surety bond protects the public from your mistakes. E&O insurance protects you from your mistakes. If someone sues you for an unintentional notarization error, E&O coverage pays your legal defense and any damages up to the policy limit, and you don’t reimburse the insurer afterward. Most states don’t require E&O for traditional notary work, so it’s optional, but worth considering if you’ll handle real estate closings, loan signings, or other high-value transactions where a single error could trigger a significant lawsuit.
Renewing When Your Commission Ends
The bond is tied to your commission term and expires when the term does. To keep notarizing, you have to buy a new bond as part of the renewal process. Most states let you begin the renewal application several months early. Submitting everything at least three to six weeks before expiration helps you avoid a gap. If your commission does lapse, stop notarizing immediately. Performing notarial acts without a valid commission and bond exposes you to personal liability and potential penalties.