How to Become a Notary Public in Minnesota

A $120 non-refundable filing fee applies when you submit your application, and a $20 fee applies when you register with your county after you receive your commission certificate. All documents submitted by mail must be paid by check or money order, payable to the Office of the Secretary of State. The cost of the seal and other supplies will vary based upon the vendor chosen.

It can take two to four weeks to complete the Notary Public commission process, depending on your availability and the time the Secretary of State needs to process your application and mail your certificate.

The Minnesota Notary commission lasts five years, after which it has to be renewed to continue as a Notary.

To qualify to become a Notary in Minnesota, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Minnesota or a county in IA, ND, SD or WI (must list the Minnesota County in which you will be filing upon receiving your Notary commission)

No training or exam is required. The Minnesota Secretary of State does provide a list of organizations that provide Notary education, training and supplies.

You must use an inked Notary stamp in Minnesota, which must be capable of being copied together with the paper record to which it is affixed or attached. The seal must include:

• The Minnesota state seal
• Your name as it appears on your commission
• The words "Notary Public"
• The words "My commission expires _______ (date)"

When shopping for seals, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Ask if the seals carry a lifetime guarantee. In particular, stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging. If you choose to purchase an embosser, you will also need to purchase an embosser inker to satisfy the requirement that the impression is able to be photocopied.

A second seal can help you avoid downtime if your seal is ever misplaced.

Keeping a journal is not required in Minnesota, but is recommended by the state.

A bond is not required. Insurance is optional. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance helps protect the Notary. If you make an unintentional mistake, or a false claim is filed against you, an E&O policy will cover your legal fees and awarded damages up to the coverage you select.

The Secretary of State, located in St. Paul, MN, is responsible for commissioning Notaries Public in Minnesota.

Minnesota Notaries can notarize anywhere within the state.

You can notarize for any member of the public who makes a reasonable request and meets all requirements for notarization, such as personally appearing before you and providing satisfactory proof of identity. You cannot notarize your own signature or perform a notarization if you have a conflict of interest.

Minnesota Notaries may charge no more than $5 per notarial act.

You must inform the Office of the Secretary of the State of any address or name changes within 30 days of such change.

For address changes, you can visit your profile online and make the changes there. You'll be able to print a new commission certificate, which you must re-register with your new county and pay the recording fee.

To change your name, fill out a new application, check the "name change" box and sign the application with your new name. You must attach documentation of the name change (copy of driver's license, marriage certificate, divorce documents or other court documents). Return all documents by mail — no fee is required. You will need to purchase a new stamp.

Commission terms last five years and expire on January 31 of the fifth year following the year the commission was issued. Minnesota Notaries can renew their commission any time between August 1 and January 31, using the online portal or by mailing the application.

On January 1, 2019, Minnesota became the seventh state to allow remote online notarization. Once you’re commissioned as a traditional Notary Public, you can follow the steps in this guide to register as an MN remote Notary.

There are additional requirements to become a remote notary such as a required journal, Minnesota Notaries are also allowed to charge up to $25 per remote online notarization.

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.