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How to Become a Notary Public in Missouri
To become a Notary Public in Missouri, applicants must follow these steps:
Meet all of your state’s qualifications (see below).
Read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook and take the state-approved Notary training course.
Take and pass the exam.
Complete the Application for Commission as a Notary Public form online or by mail.
Submit your application, completion certificate and $25 fee to the Secretary of State. The state will send your commission to your county clerk’s office.
Get a $10,000 surety bond.
Upon being notified by the county clerk, you must file your bond and take your oath of office in person within 60 days.
Within seven days of the date of the oath, mail your bond, oath of office and signature to the Secretary of State.
Buy your Notary seal and Notary journal.
Get E&O insurance (optional, but strongly recommended).
Start your Notary career now.
Get everything you need with a full Missouri Notary Supply Package.
In This Guide: Missouri Notary Process | MO Notary Requirements | General Notary Public Information
More Details About the Missouri Notary Process
The Missouri Secretary of State has different requirements for traditional, electronic and remote online Notaries. Find more information about applying for a traditional MO Notary Public commission below.
How much does it cost?
There is a $25 fee to apply for a Notary Public commission in Missouri. Additional costs for bonds, Notary tools and education courses vary depending on vendors. There are county fees for filing your bond, signature and commission.
The total cost of commissioning can differ depending on whether you are a new or renewing Notary. Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.
How long does it take to process my MO Notary application?
The Missouri Secretary of State recommends allowing four to six weeks for the processing of a Notary Public application.
How long does a Notary commission last?
The term of a Missouri Notary commission is four years.
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Requirements to be a Notary in Missouri
Learn how you can qualify to become a Notary in the Show-Me State.
Who can become a Notary?
A Notary Public applicant in Missouri must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a permanent resident alien of the U.S.
Be a resident of the MO county where they are applying, or have a work address in that county
Be able to read and write English
Have no felony convictions
What kind of training will I need?
Prior to submitting an application, the applicant must read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook and complete an online or written Notary training course.
Do I need to take an exam?
Yes, Notary applicants must take and pass an exam. A score of 80% or higher is required to pass.
What kind of supplies will I need?
Missouri Notaries must use an engraved embosser, or a black-inked rubber stamp seal, and a journal for all notarial acts for paper documents. The seal must contain the following information in print in at least eight-point type:
Your name as it appears on your commission
The words “Notary Seal”
The words “Notary Public”
The words “State of Missouri”
Your commission number assigned by the Secretary of State
Your commission expiration date (optional)
Your county of commission (optional)
The information in the seal must be surrounded by a border in a rectangular or circular shape no larger than 1/16″.
Every Missouri Notary may keep a permanently bound journal of their notarial acts containing numbered pages. Simple notebooks or glue-bound journals are not acceptable in Missouri. A journal with tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you’re ever named in a lawsuit.
What is a surety bond and why do I need one?
Within 45 days of appointment, Missouri Notaries are required to purchase a $10,000 surety bond from an authorized company to protect signers against financial damages resulting from the Notary’s negligence or misconduct. It’s important to understand that the bond does not protect you from financial liability. You must repay the surety company if you fail to notarize in compliance with state laws.
The best way for Notaries to protect themselves against possible legal costs is to purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law, it is still strongly recommended. An E&O policy covers a Notary’s legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy.
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General Notary Public Information
Have more questions about being a Notary? Read on below.
Which state government office handles Notaries?
The Missouri Office of Secretary of State, Commissions Division, handles Notaries and is located in Jefferson City, MO.
May I become a Missouri Notary if I am not a U.S. citizen?
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become a Missouri Notary Public. You must, however, be a legal resident of the state and meet all other application requirements.
I work in MO, but I do not live there. Can I still notarize in the state?
A resident of another U.S. state may apply for a Missouri Notary commission as long as the applicant work in the state and uses the Notary seal only in the course of employment. A non-resident must have a work address in the MO county where commissioning is sought and authorize the Missouri Secretary of State to accept services of process or other legal notifications on the applicant’s behalf.
Where will I be able to notarize?
A Missouri Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state’s borders.
Who can I notarize for?
A Missouri Notary can notarize for any member of the public with a few exceptions. Notaries are prohibited from notarizing their own signatures or that of their spouse, domestic partner, ancestor, descendant or sibling of the principal, including in-laws, step-relatives and half relatives.
What fees can Missouri Notaries charge per notarization?
Missouri allows Notaries to charge $5 for most notarial acts. You may charge an additional fee for travel, but the signer must agree to it in advance. If you choose to charge for notarial acts, you must display an English-language fee schedule in at least 12-point type. This must be on display at your place of work or business or presented to signers if you’re outside your regular place of work or business.
What should I do if I move or change my name?
Any changes to your address or name must be reported to the Secretary of State within 10 days of the change. To update your information, you must send the SOS a tangible receipt, signed notice of the change with both your old and new addresses (or old and new names), and a $5 fee. For address changes, you must suspend performing notarial acts until you’ve received confirmation of the address change from the SOS and notified the surety of the change in writing.
Notaries who change their names by court order or marriage are required to use their former name in notarial acts until they’ve received confirmation from the Secretary, obtained a seal with their new name and notified the surety of the change in writing.
What is the process to renew my Missouri commission?
There isn’t an official renewal process in Missouri. You must apply as though you are being commissioned for the first time. The earliest you can start the process is six weeks before your current commission expires.
What do I need to know about remote online notarization in Missouri?
As of August 28, 2020, Missouri authorizes remote online notarizations (RONs). Learn how to become an MO remote online Notary in this step-by-step guide.
If you’re not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.
How to Become a Notary Public
While procedures differ from state to state, the general steps to become a Notary are:
Make sure you meet all of your state’s qualifications.
Complete and submit an application.
Pay the state’s filing fee.
Get training from an approved education vendor (if applicable).
Pass a state-administered exam (if applicable).
Complete fingerprinting and background check (if applicable).
Receive your commission certificate from the state.
Get your surety bond (if applicable).
File your commission paperwork (and bond) with your Notary regulating official.
Buy your Notary supplies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Select a state to view the step-by-step instructions to begin your Notary commission.
Select a State
Notary Requirements | Notary Training | Taking the Notary Exam | Notary Bonds and Insurance | Your Notary Commission
Why Become a Notary?
The overwhelming majority of the 4.4 million Notaries in America become Notaries as part of their job duties or as a value-added skill on their resume. Many others choose to become a Notary so they can have their own mobile Notary or Notary Signing Agent business. These individuals are independent contractors who earn money by handling mortgage signings, notarizing trust documents and performing many other tasks.
Aside from the additional income opportunities available, the office of the Notary Public has a long history and brings with it both credibility to the individual Notary and service to one’s state or U.S. territory. A Notary does not serve their employer; their service is to the state or territory that issues their commission.
If you’re interested in becoming a Notary Public, this practical guide answers many frequently asked questions. This is a general guide because each state has its own procedures for becoming a Notary Public. We provide some state-specific information for the questions in this general guide. If you want to skip straight to your state’s process and requirements, please select your state from the menu above. Is there a question we didn’t answer? Please let us know!
View the steps to become a Notary Public as an infographic, or download the file if you’d like to print it out.
Become a Notary Infographic
Notary Requirements:
Who can be a Notary Public?
The exact qualifications for who can become a Notary differs from state to state. In general, Notary applicants must be 18 years old and a legal resident of the state with no criminal record. Some states require you Notary applicants to read and write English. Some states also allow residents of neighboring states to become Notaries.
How much does it cost to become a Notary?
This varies widely, from less than $100 in some states to several hundred in others depending on the state’s requirements. The cost of becoming a Notary varies based on the application filing fee and the cost of any Notary training, exams, background screenings, required Notary supplies, and the cost of your bond (if applicable).
Do I need a background check to become a Notary?
In a few states, yes, a background check is a requirement to become a Notary. Some states where a background check is not required may choose to run one if you state on the application that you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in the past.
Notaries who choose to become Notary Signing Agents will need a separate background screening to meet industry standards.
What Notary supplies are required in my state?
Generally, Notaries need three Notary-specific supplies: certificates, a seal for stamping certificates, and a journal for keeping a record of your notarizations. While not required in a majority of the states, every Notary should keep a Notary journal for the protection it provides both the Notary and the public.
Certificates are the most challenging type of “supply” because there are different types of notarizations, each requiring a different certificate. Most state Notary-regulating sites provide basic certificates, but these can often leave something to be desired when trying to make a professional impression at a signing. For this reason, some suppliers make certificates available online, so you can download the right certificate as needed rather than keeping a stock of paper certificates.
Keep in mind, just because a specific tool is not required by law in your state, doesn’t mean you can’t use it! There are plenty of Notary supplies available to help you perform your duties and protect yourself.
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Notary Training:
Does my state require Notary training?
States that require Notary training are: California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Delaware requires training and continuing education for electronic Notaries.
All required Notary training must be approved by the state, so – as long as it is an approved course – the basics required by the state will be covered in the training.
While fewer than a dozen states require Notary applicants to undergo any training or education, many others support the case for voluntary educational courses.
Where can I get Notary training if my state doesn’t require it?
The first place to check for training would be with Notary regulating agency in your state — usually the Secretary of State’s office. Local community colleges in some states also offer Notary education. There are a number of organizations and vendors, such as the National Notary Association, that provide education for Notaries too. Some vendors may include practical information that will help Notaries learn how to perform their official duties.
Notary courses can be taken in a classroom or online. The NNA provides live seminars in California and has online training for the rest of the U.S.
How long will it take to complete each course?
Required training courses typically run from 3 to 6 hours. Any optional training you may pursue may fall outside of these guidelines.
How much does Notary training cost?
There is no official standard because Notary training costs differ by provider. Generally, online training courses cost less than $100, and live seminars range from $100 to $200.
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Taking the Notary Exam:
Do I need to take a Notary exam?
In most states, no. States that require Notary applicants to pass a test are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Utah.
Wyoming encourages applicants to take an at-home test, but it’s not required.
How long will the Notary exam take to complete?
Notary exams last roughly an hour. They may include fingerprinting for submission with your state Notary application at the completion of the exam.
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Notary Bonds and Insurance:
Will I need a Notary bond in my state?
In most states, yes. Thirty states and the District of Columbia require Notaries to have a surety bond, but the amounts vary widely by state. A typical amount ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, although it can be as low as $500 or as high as $25,000.
A surety bond protects consumers. If you make a mistake that damages someone, the bond is intended to compensate the injured person up to the amount of the bond. You then would be required to repay the bond company.
Is Notary Errors and Omissions Insurance Required?
No, a liability insurance policy is not required, because your state does not write Notary laws to protect Notaries – it writes them to protect the public. That’s why many states require bonds. You should consider buying a Notary errors and omissions insurance policy because it protects you against claims relating to any errors you make during a notarization.
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Your Notary Commission:
Who regulates Notaries?
Notaries are commissioned and regulated at the state level. In many states, this is handled through the Secretary of State’s Office. Notaries in some states are commissioned by their county clerk or other governing body.
How long does it take to become a Notary?
If your state requires training, an exam, or other requirements, the process can take 7 – 9 weeks. It may take more time if the state is processing a lot of renewal applications too.
If your state’s requirements are minimal, the process to become a Notary can take up to 4 weeks.
Can anyone help me apply for my Notary commission?
Yes. In most states, there are organizations available to help you through the process. It’s helpful to go through a vendor or association because of the various steps you must complete. Florida, Illinois, and Texas require you use specific vendors and will not accept applications directly from applicants.
Where will I be able to notarize?
Most states authorize you to notarize documents throughout the entire state. A few states have unique rules regarding jurisdiction; for example, limiting where you can notarize within the state, or allowing you to perform notarizations for your state’s citizens outside of its borders.
Who can I notarize for?
In almost every state, you should notarize for anyone who comes to you with a legitimate, legal request for a notarization and presents acceptable identification. Some states have provisions allowing employers to limit staff Notaries to notarizing business-related documents during business hours.
How long is a Notary term?
A typical term is 4 years, but it’s different from one state to the next. Some states set the term for 5 years and others are 10 years.
Why is the Notary process different in every state?
Notaries are commissioned and governed by individual states. Because state Notary laws are all different, the requirements can vary quite a bit. For example, many California Notary laws have been put in place as a result of lawsuits and damage to the public.
How can I become a remote online Notary?
The process of getting a remote online Notary commission or authorization varies among the states that allow their Notaries to perform the act. It’s important to note that not every state allows Notaries to perform remote online notarizations.
