Sunday, August 07, 2011

State by State Notary Requirements Brief Summary

Foreclosure Hamlet website:


Just to keep track of some basics that may prove helpful regarding notary issues in cases, here is a brief summary of notary requirements by state. Keep in mind, this is as of today, August 05, 2011, and over time, laws change. To visit more detailed information, I suggest you visit the state websites, and places like the American Society of Notaries as well as the National Notary Association. Keep in mind, while many states recommend journals, unless it is required, I stated not required.

AK - 4 years - NO journal required - $1,000 Bond required - AK State Website

AL - 4 years - YES journal required - $10,000 Bond required - AL State Website

AR - 10 years - NO journal required - $7,500 Bond Required - AR State Website

AZ - 4 years - YES journal required - $5,000 Bond required - AZ State Website

CA - 4 years - YES journal required - $15,000 Bond required - CA State Website

CO - 4 years - YES journal required - NO Bond required - CO State Website

CT - 5 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - CT State Website

DC - 5 years - YES journal required - $2,000 Bond required - DC State Website

DE - 2/4 years*1 - NO journal required - NO Bond required - DE State Website

FL - 4 years - NO journal required - $7,500 Bond required - FL State Website

GA - 4 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - GA State Website

HI - 4 years - YES journal required - $1,000 Bond required - HI State Website

IA - 3/1 years*2 - NO journal required - NO Bond required - IA State Website

ID - 6 years - NO journal required - $10,000 Bond required - ID State Website

IL - 4/1 years*3 - NO journal required - $5,000 Bond required - IL State Website

IN - 8 years - NO journal required - $5,000 Bond required - IN State Website

KS - 4 years - NO journal required - $7,500 Bond required - KS State Website

KY - 4 years - NO journal required*4 - YES Bond required*4 - KY State Website

LA - FOR LIFE*5 - NO journal required - $10,000 Bond required*5 - LA State Website

MA - 7 years - YES journal required - NO Bond required - MA State Website

MD - 4 years - YES journal required - NO Bond required - MD State Website

ME - 7/4 years*6 - NO journal required - NO Bond required - ME State Website

MI - 6/7 years*7 - NO journal required - $10,000 Bond required - MI State Website

MN - 5 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - MN State Website

MO - 4 years - YES journal required - $10,000 Bond required - MO State Website

MS - 4 years - YES journal required - $5,000 Bond required - MS State Website

MT - 4 years - YES journal required - $10,000 Bond required - MT State Website

NC - 5 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - NC State Website

ND - 6 years - NO journal required - $7,500 Bond required - ND State Website

NE - 4 years - NO journal required - $15,000 Bond required - NE State Website

NH - 5 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - NH State Website

NJ - 5 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - NJ State Website

NM - 4 years - NO journal required - $10,000 Bond required - NM State Website

NV - 4 years - YES journal required - $10,000 Bond required - NV State Website

NY - 4 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - NY State Website

OH - 5 years - YES journal required - NO Bond required - OH State Website

OK - 4 years - NO journal required - $1,000 Bond required - OK State Website

OR - 4 years - YES journal required - NO Bond required - OR State Website

PA - 4 years - YES journal required - $10,000 Bond required - PA State Website

RI - 4 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - RI State Website

SC - 10 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - SC State Website

SD - 6 years - NO journal required - $5,000 Bond required - SD State Website

TN - 4 years - NO journal required*8 - $10,000 Bond required - TN State Website

TX - 4 years - YES journal required - $10,000 Bond required - TX State Website

UT - 4 years - NO journal required - $5,000 Bond required - UT State Website

VA - 4 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - VA State Website

VT - 4 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - VT State Website

WA - 4 years - NO journal required - $10,000 Bond required - WA State Website

WI - 4/LIFE years*9 - NO journal required - $500 Bond required - WI State Website


WV - 10 years - NO journal required - NO Bond required - WV State Website

WY - 4 years - NO journal required - $500 Bond required - WY State Website

*1 - DE - the notary can be commissioned for 2 or 4 years depending on how much they choose to pay for the notary license.

*2 - IA - if resident state notary, 3 year commission, non-resident state 1 year commission

*3 - IL - if resident state notary, 4 year commission, non-resident state 1 year commission

*4 - KY - Journal not required except for notary protests / requires bond, but varies by county

*5 - LA - Life commission, but may retire @ 70 years old / In general, bond required, but not for attorneys, and can have $10,000 E&O instead

*6 - ME - Commission term if ME resident, 7 years, 4 if Vermont resident

*7 - MI - Commission is no less than 6 years or no more than 7, and ends on Notary birthday

*8 - TN - Need to verify this state, it appears to require journal only if fees are charged

*9 - WI - Commission for 4 years or lifetime depending on fee paid

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