Looking to make a difference in your community? Let us guide you on a rewarding journey toward a unique profession.
In this comprehensive guide on how to become a notary in North Dakota, we lay out the roadmap to achieving this goal. With easy-to-follow, actionable steps, we’ll help you navigate this intriguing process, turning the complex into simple.
Whether you’re looking to serve your community or generate additional income, this article will offer everything you need to know to get started.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? Have a look at the National Notary Association’s packages, which include all state-required notary supplies, a surety bond, and four years of notary hotline phone support.
National Notary Association ($169)
In order to become a notary in North Dakota, you will need to complete a few simple steps.
In North Dakota, you need to meet the following basic requirements if you want to become a notary:
Having made sure that you satisfy these requisites, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step.
If you meet the basic requirements, the next step is to continue on with the application form. You can now complete this online with FirstStop, the North Dakota Secretary of State’s online services portal.
Make sure that the name you use in this application is identical to how you want to sign your name on the notarial acts you will perform.
For example, if you include your initials in the way you sign your name on this application, these initials will also have to be included in your notary signature.
Note: If you have previously worked as a notary public in North Dakota, regardless of whether your commission is currently expired or not, you will need to use the How to Renew a Notary Public Commission page instead.
While not required by law, it’s a good idea to consider protecting yourself with Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance.
This type of insurance provides coverage for any potential mistakes or omissions that you might make as you perform notarial acts. It’s an extra layer of protection that can give you peace of mind while operating for a relatively low opportunity cost.
Have a look at the National Notary Association’s packages, which include all state-required notary supplies, a surety bond, and four years of notary hotline phone support.
National Notary Association ($169)
Once this is done, you’ll need to obtain a surety bond in the amount of $7,500 that will last the full duration of your commission.
After this is done, you will need to fill out the Notary Bond (SFN 19355) form, print it off, and get it signed in the presence of a notary.
Then, you will need to submit your Notary Bond Form along with a $36 application fee by mail to the following address:
Secretary of State
State of North Dakota
600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept 108
Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
Note: If you pay the application fee by credit card, you must also submit a completed Credit Card Payment Authorization Form alongside your Notary Bond Form.
If your application is successful, you should soon receive your Certificate of Authorization and a Verification of Notary Stamping Device Form from the Secretary of State.
Your Certificate of Authorization will allow you to purchase an official seal. Simply present it to a stamp vendor and choose a seal you like.
After this, use your new seal to place an impression on the Verification of Notary Stamping Device Form you received earlier and mail it back to the Secretary of State’s office before the date listed at the top of the Verification Form.
After reviewing your seal, you will be issued an official notary commission certificate by the North Dakota Secretary of State (assuming that they deem your notary stamping device acceptable).
Note: On your commission certificate will be a commencement date. Only on or after this date will you be able to begin performing notarial acts.
Even though this last step is not a legal requirement, you should note that many North Dakota notary applicants choose to invest in a notary course. This is because it can offer several benefits, such as:
So, while it’s not mandatory in North Dakota, many aspiring notaries find value in such courses. It’s a personal decision based on individual comfort and professional goals.
To get a notary license in North Dakota, you must be 18 years old, be a North Dakota resident or satisfy the state’s residency requirements, be able to read and write English, and have no felony convictions. You then need to fill out an application form and submit it to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office. To read more, see our article on How to Become a Notary.
The total cost of becoming a notary can vary, but it generally ranges from $100 to $200. This figure is comprised of several components, including an application fee that goes to the Secretary of State’s office, exam fees, and the cost of purchasing your notary supplies, such as the notary seal and journal.
A North Dakota notary commission lasts for four years. Once your commission expires, you must go through the renewal process if you want to continue working as a notary. This involves submitting the Notary Public Renewal and Notary Bond Forms to the Secretary of State and obtaining a new notary stamping device.
The maximum notary fee in North Dakota is $5 per signature for basic notarial acts. Fees for more complex services, such as administering an oath or affirmation or certifying or attesting a copy, may be higher. Notaries are able to charge a travel fee on top of this, but only if the signer agrees to it beforehand.
No, you are not required to sit an exam in North Dakota if you want to become a notary public, nor do you need to undertake any mandatory education. We explore what you need to do to get your notary commission in our article on How to Become a Notary in North Dakota.
For all related articles, have a look at our How to Become a Notary page.
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on July 9, 2024
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