The cost to become a notary public runs from roughly $50 in the cheapest states to $400 or more where education, exams, and fingerprinting are all required. Most applicants spend between $100 and $250 once they’ve paid the application fee, bought a surety bond, ordered a stamp, and picked up basic supplies. Your final number depends almost entirely on which state commissioned you, since every state sets its own requirements.
Application and Filing Fees
Every state charges a fee to process your commission application. These run from about $11 on the low end to $75 on the high end, with most states between $20 and $60. Some states bundle the application and exam fee together; others bill them separately. Application fees are typically non-refundable whether or not you’re approved.
Some states also require you to file or record your commission and bond with the county clerk after the state approves you. County recording fees generally run $5 to $45. Where this step applies, skipping it can mean your commission never actually takes effect. Your secretary of state’s website will spell out whether your state requires it.
Background Checks and Fingerprinting
A growing number of states require applicants to pass a background check, and some mandate fingerprinting through a live scan vendor. A background check on its own typically costs $30 to $65. When fingerprinting is required, the combined cost climbs to $75 to $125. States that require fingerprinting often contract with specific vendors, so there’s little room to shop around. Not every state requires screening, but the trend has moved toward more of it, not less.
Education and Exam Costs
At least nine states require mandatory education before you can be commissioned: California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Courses run three to six hours and cost $30 to $150 depending on the provider and format. Renewal applicants in some of these states can take a shorter refresher course for less.
About 29 states require a notary exam. Exam fees are usually modest, $20 to $50, and are sometimes rolled into the education course rather than billed separately. If your state requires neither education nor an exam, this category costs you nothing.
Surety Bond
Most states require you to purchase a surety bond before your commission activates. The bond protects members of the public who suffer financial harm from a notary’s mistake or misconduct. State-mandated bond amounts typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, with a few states going higher.
You don’t pay the full bond amount. You pay a premium, which is a small fraction of the face value:
- $5,000 bond: $35 to $100
- $10,000 bond: $60 to $150
- $25,000 bond: $80 to $180
Most notaries pay $30 to $80 for a bond, and no credit check is required. The premium covers your full commission term, so it’s a one-time cost until you renew. A handful of states don’t require a bond at all.
Stamp, Journal, and Supplies
Every state requires an official notary stamp or seal meeting specific design standards. At minimum it must show your name, commission number, expiration date, and the state that commissioned you. A basic self-inking stamp costs $15 to $35. Embossing seals and higher-end stamps run $25 to $50. Bundled supply kits with a stamp, seal, and case go for $50 to $160, though above $100 you’re mostly paying for packaging and accessories rather than anything you legally need.
Roughly half of states require notaries to keep a journal recording every notarial act. Even where the law doesn’t require one, it’s your only defense if a notarization is later challenged. A bound journal with numbered pages costs $10 to $45. Electronic journal software is available in states that permit digital record-keeping, usually by subscription.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
E&O insurance is separate from your surety bond. The bond protects the public; E&O protects you. If someone sues over a notarization error, the policy pays your legal defense and any damages up to the policy limit. Most states don’t require it for traditional notaries, but it’s inexpensive relative to the exposure.
Annual premiums scale with coverage:
- $10,000 coverage: $30 to $50 per year
- $25,000 coverage: $50 to $90 per year
- $50,000 coverage: $100 to $150 per year
- $100,000 or more: $150 to $250+ per year
For a traditional notary doing occasional work, a $25,000 policy at $50 to $90 per year covers most realistic risk. Signing agents handling mortgage closings face higher exposure and generally need $25,000 to $100,000.
Optional Add-Ons That Change the Total
Remote Online Notarization
Nearly every state now authorizes some form of remote online notarization, which lets you notarize over a live video connection. Getting RON-authorized costs more than a standard commission. A RON technology platform subscription runs roughly $120 to $240 per year. A digital certificate for identity verification costs $59 to $139 depending on the term. Some states require an additional bond for RON services or a higher bond amount, adding $30 to $100. Together, RON authorization adds $200 to $400 on top of your standard costs.
Notary Signing Agent Certification
A signing agent is a notary who specializes in loan document signings, particularly mortgage closings. This is where notary income becomes meaningful, but it requires extra investment. Training programs from reputable providers run $70 to $500. The National Notary Association offers a package including background check, exam, and certification for $79, with an annual background screening at roughly $40 or more to keep it current. Title companies and signing services almost universally require both E&O insurance and a current background check, and some will only work with NNA-certified agents.
Renewal Costs Later On
Notary commissions don’t last forever. Most states issue commissions for four years, though some run as short as two or as long as ten. When yours expires, renewal fees typically match or slightly exceed your original application cost. You’ll need a new surety bond, and your stamp must reflect the new commission dates. Budget roughly 60% to 100% of your original startup cost at renewal. States that require education for new applicants sometimes accept a shorter refresher for renewals, and most states waive the exam if you’re renewing an active commission. If you let your commission lapse before renewing, you may have to start over from scratch, exam and education included.