SOS - Business Services Appointment Scheduler Beneficial Owner Reporting Requirement

A Notary Public is an individual commissioned by the State of Indiana to serve as an impartial witness and fraud deterrent for legally significant documents such as wills, property deeds, marriage licenses and adoption papers. Notaries defer fraud by verifying individuals’ identity and ensuring that all parties understand the contents of the documents they sign.

Think you’re interested in pursuing or renewing a notary commission? Read on for requirements, filing fees and more information about the application process.

• Change of Information
• Notary Requirements
• Notary Fees
• Education
• Remote Notary
• Notary Guide, Resources & FAQs

CHANGE OF INFORMATION

A notary public must notify the Secretary of State’s office within 30 days if he or she changes any of the information below:

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Employer’s name, address or phone number

Create an INBiz account (or log in to your existing account), add your commission, and select "Edit License" from the dashboard.

NOTARY REQUIREMENTS

ARE YOU QUALIFIED?

To become a notary, an individual must meet the following requirements:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age
2. Be a legal resident of the State of Indiana or primarily employed in Indiana
3. Not be disqualified to receive a commission under IC 33-4-13 and IC 5-8-3-1
   IC 33-4-13: Have a conviction or civil ruling involving deceit, dishonesty or fraud
   IC 5-8-3-1: Have a conviction where the sentence imposed exceeded six (6) months

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. $25,000 Bond Certificate (

X

OBTAIN AN INDIANA STATE POLICE LIMITED CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD

1. Visit: https://www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch

X A document proving your current employment. Examples include a a recent paystub or a letter from your HR office. DO NOT include private or personal information in your upload.

OBTAIN AN INDIANA STATE POLICE LIMITED BACKGROUND CHECK

1. Visit: https://www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch/
2. Scroll to the bottom, click the acknowledgement box and click “start search.”
3. Login or create a new account.
4. Start a new search and follow the prompts to complete your request.
   • At the Reason for Request screen, select option 4: Is a candidate for public office or a pulic official
5. Results will be available instantly and may be printed or saved to your desktop
   • If you receive a “unresolved request” message, click here to email INBiz for next steps.

• a. At the Reason for Request screen, select option 4: Is a candidate for public office or a public official

• a. If you receive an “unresolved request” message, click here to email INBiz for next steps

Note: The Secretary of State’s office does not provide or sell notary stamps or seals, nor can the office recommend where to obtain supplies, training or bonds. Seals and stamps can be purchased at retail stores or through notary supply vendors.

Notary Fees

Payment Information

All Notary transactions can be made using Mastercard or Visa credit cards. Credit card payments will be charged a convenience fee.

• Notary Initial/Renewal Application fee: $75.00
• Notary Continuing Education fee: $50.00
• Remote Notary Authorization Application: $100.00
• All fees include the costs associated to accessing the required notary education and exams.

Note: All application fees are nonrefundable.

Total Investment

New applicants wishing to become a Notary Public should consider total costs they will incur for the duration of their commission:

Note: Total costs do not include costs for a surety bond, stamp, error & omission insurance, remote technology vendor fees, electronic seals, etc.”

Education

Initial Education

All applicants must take a notary education course and pass an exam. The education course and exam are available after paying the application fee. Once the exam has been passed, your application will be submitted to the Secretary of State's office for final review. Please allow 5-10 business days for processing. If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Notary Public before submitting the application fee, please review the Notary Fees and the Notary Guide.

Continuing Education

All Notaries Public are required to complete a continuing education course every two (2) years. The fee to complete the continuing education is $50.00. You are required to complete 3 continuing education courses, for a total of $150.00, over the course of your 8 year commission. Follow the steps below to get started.

• Step 1: Click the Continuing Education Course link below.
• Step 2: Login or Create an INBiz account.
• Step 3: Follow the steps to Add Your Commission .
• Step 4: Once your Commission is added, from your INBiz dashboard click Edit License under the blue Licenses banner.
• Step 5: Click Continuing Education .

Failure to complete your continuing education by the due date will result in the permanent expiration of your Commission. You will be required to apply for a new notary commission. All notary fees are non-refundable.

Remote Notary

A Remote Notarization involves signers appearing before the remote notary public via two-way audio-visual communication on an approved remote technology vendor platform. This platform will capture the notarial act and signatures as part of an electronic record.

Currently commissioned, active Notaries Public may apply to become authorized as a Remote Notary. The application process requires the completion of an online form, an online education course, and passing a remote notary exam. There is a nonrefundable fee of $100 to submit the application.

Approved Remote Notary Technology Vendors

Indiana Remote Notaries Public may only conduct remote notarial acts using an approved vendor. When applying for Remote Notary Authorization, you will be required to select at least one vendor you intend to use. Once the vendor has given their approval, your application will be processed by the Secretary of State's office.

Please see below for an up-to-date list of approved Remote Notary Technology Vendors. Be sure to research all of the approved vendors prior to applying for a remote notary authorization. Vendor services and fees vary depending on who you contract with. For example, certain vendors limit services to real estate transactions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the vendor offers the desired services. The Secretary of State does not monitor what services vendors offer.

For information about becoming a Remote Technology Vendor contact inbiz@sos.in.gov to receive information and an application.

Notary Guide

The Secretary of State’s office has prepared a comprehensive guide to assist individuals pursuing or renewing a notary commission. Check the guide for information on topics including:

• Bond requirements
• Prohibited notarial acts
• Disciplinary action
• Allowable notarial acts
• Payment information

Notary Resources

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time applicant, keep track of all your notary resources and requirements.

Get A Copy

Obtain a copy of your notary public commission certificate by adding your commission to your INBiz account and selecting “Edit License” from the dashboard.

File A Complaint

Lodge a complaint against a notary public.

Notary Search

Perform a search for an Indiana notary.

Payment Information

Application and commission revision fees can be made using Mastercard or Visa credit cards. Credit card payments will be charged a convenience fee.

• Notary Application Fee: $75.00
• Commission Revision Fee: $8.67

Note: All application fees are nonrefundable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Add My Notary Public Commission To The Dashboard?

You can do this by logging in to your INBiz account, navigating to the “Online Services” screen, and selecting the “Add Your License” option under the “Professional Licensing Agency” section.

Once your commission is linked to your dashboard, you will be able to view basic information about your commission such as status and commission number. Several other options will be available under the Edit License link, such as:

• Update Mailing Address
• Renew your commission (if within 90 days of expiration)
• Order a copy of your commission
• Make changes to your commission

Notary Seal Requirements

WHAT ARE THE NOTARY SEAL REQUIREMENTS?

All notaries must use a seal that includes the following requirements:

1. The words “notary public”
2. The words “State of Indiana”
3. The word “seal”. (Effective July 1, 2024, the word “seal” is no longer required)
4. The name of the notary public exactly as it appears on the individual’s commission certificate
5. The words “commission number” followed by the commission number of the notary public
6. The words “My commission expires” followed by the expiration date of the notary public’s commission

Example of a correct notary seal:

Example of a correct notary signature/jurat
(every notarized document should contain this):

Note: The Secretary of State’s office does not provide or sell notary stamps or seals, nor can the office recommend where to obtain supplies, training or bonds. Seals and stamps can be purchased at retail stores or through notary supply vendors.

Can I Have A Freehold Bond For My Notary Commission?

As of July 2018, all notaries must maintain a surety bond of at least $25,000. More information is available in the notary guide.