Notary Requirements for Minnesota: 2025 Updated

This guide offers comprehensive information for becoming and renewing as a Minnesota Notary Public as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, application, commission terms, renewals, required tools, remote notarization, and FAQs, based on official state sources.

• Eligibility Requirements
• Application Process for New Notary Commission
• Surety Bond
• Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
• Oath of Office and Recording the Commission
• Commission Term and Expiration
• Commission Renewal Process
• Remote Online Notarization (RON)
• Official Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Minnesota notary public commission, applicants must meet these criteria:

• Age and Residency: Be at least 18 years old. Must be a Minnesota resident OR a resident of a bordering state (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin) who designates a Minnesota county for commission filing. Non-residents must designate the MN Secretary of State (SOS) as their agent for service of process.

• Prior Commission Status: If a previous MN commission expired, apply for reappointment (similar process to new application).

• Character and Background: Meet character standards. Disclose past investigations, professional license discipline, or criminal convictions. The SOS, with the Department of Commerce, reviews backgrounds. Serious issues (felonies, fraud, prior notary misconduct) may lead to denial.

• Understanding of Duties: Familiarity with notary responsibilities and laws (MN Statutes Chapters 357, 358, 359). No mandatory state training or exam for traditional commission, but reviewing official guides is strongly recommended.

Get a notary stamp that meets Minnesota’s official requirements, available in multiple formats and shipped within one business day.

Order Minnesota Notary Stamp

Application Process for New Notary Commission

Administered by the MN SOS.

1. Complete Notary Application Form: Download from MN SOS website. Provide legal name, residence address, DOB. Non-residents list MN county for filing. Answer background questions truthfully; attach documentation if answering "Yes."

2. Prepare Filing Fee: $120 non-refundable fee, payable to "Office of the Secretary of State" (check or money order for mail).

3. Submit Application: Mail completed application, fee, and attachments to MN SOS, Notary Services. (Online application may be available; check SOS website). Processing can take 4-6 weeks.

4. Commission Approval & Certificate: Upon approval, SOS issues Notary Commission Certificate (signed by Governor/SOS), mailed to your residential address. It states your commission term and expiration date.

5. Obtain Notary Seal (Stamp): Mandatory. After receiving a commission certificate, purchase a stamp meeting MN specifications.

6. Register Commission with County & Take Oath: Crucial final step before notarizing.

   • Appear at your county recorder/auditor’s office (county of residence or designated MN county for non-residents).

   • Present commission certificate.

   • Sign an Oath of Office.

   • Pay $20 county recording fee.

   • County records commission and oath. Failure to register can result in civil penalties.

Surety Bond

Minnesota does not require notaries public to obtain a surety bond. Optional Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance is a personal choice for liability protection.

Notary Seal and Journal Requirements

Notary Seal (Official Stamp): Mandatory; use for authenticating all notarial acts.

• Content:

  1. The Seal of the State of Minnesota.

  2. Your name (as on commission certificate).

  3. “Notary Public.”

  4. “My commission expires ______” (commission expiration date).

• Format: Must be reproducible (inked rubber stamp standard). Embosser alone is insufficient unless the impression is clear and photocopiable.

• Accuracy: Name on stamp must exactly match commission. If name changes, update commission and get a new stamp, then re-register with the county.

• Security: Notary's personal property. Keep secure. Report loss/theft to SOS.

Notary Journal: Not required by Minnesota law, but strongly encouraged by SOS as best practice.

• A journal (record book) protects you by providing a record of notarizations (date/time, act type, document, signer name/contact, ID method, fee).

• For Remote Online Notarization (RON), electronic journal records are typically required by platforms and best practice.

• Journal and seal are notary's personal property, exempt from execution.

Oath of Office and Recording the Commission

After receiving your commission certificate from the state:

1. Timing: Register as soon as the certificate is received, before notarizing.

2. Location: County Recorder or Auditor’s office in your county of residence (or designated MN county for non-residents).

3. Procedure: Present commission certificate. Pay $20 county recording fee. Sign Oath of Office. County official witness oath and record commission/signature.

4. Completion: Once recorded, commission is fully active. Each new commission term (including renewals) requires new county recording.

Failure to register with the county can result in penalties.

Commission Term and Expiration

• Term: Five (5) years, expiring on January 31 of the fifth year after issue year (e.g., commission issued in 2025 expires Jan 31, 2030).

• Renewal Window: August 1 through January 31 for commissions expiring the following January 31.

• Expiration: Authority ceases at expiration. No grace period for notarizing. Acting with expired commission is a misdemeanor.

Commission Renewal Process

Renew every five years to maintain authority.

1. When to Renew: August 1 – January 31 for commissions expiring the following January. Renew online or by mail. Online is recommended.

2. Renewal Fee: $120 (non-refundable) to SOS. Plus $20 county recording fee after renewal.

3. Online Renewal: Via SOS Notary & Apostille website. Log in, verify/update info, re-answer background questions. If "Yes" to any background question, must be renewed by mail with supporting documents. Pay $120 online. Download a new commission certificate immediately.

4. Mail Renewal: Use Notary Public Application form (mark "Renewal," provide current commission number). Mail with $120 fee. SOS mails new certificate upon approval.

5. After Renewal – County Filing: Print new commission certificate. Re-register with your county recorder (new oath, $20 fee).

6. Lapsed Commission (Reappointment): If expired, apply for reappointment (mail Notary Application, $120 fee). Cannot notarize during lapse.

7. New Stamp: Required due to new expiration date.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Minnesota

Authorized; requires separate RON authorization from SOS.

• Prerequisite: Current, active MN notary commission.

• Application: Submit Remote Online Notarization Authorization Application to SOS (no extra fee). Certify intent to use compliant communication technology.

• Notary Location: Must be physically in Minnesota during RON. Signers can be anywhere.

• Technology: Use RON platform conforming to MN standards (secure audio-video, ID proofing, recordkeeping).

• Electronic Seal and Journal: Use electronic seal. Maintain an electronic journal of RON acts. Audio-visual recording of RON session required, retain 10 years.

• Procedure: Verify signer ID (photo ID scan, KBA, etc., via platform), witness e-signature via live video, apply e-signature/e-seal.

• eNotarization vs. RON: eNotarization (in-person electronic) also requires separate authorization.

• RON Authorization Term: Concurrent with notary commission. Re-register for RON upon commission renewal.

Official Resources

• MN SOS – Notary & Apostille: sos.state.mn.us (main portal for info, applications, FAQs, forms, online login).

• Notary Application Form (PDF).

• MN Statutes: Ch. 359 (Notaries Public), Ch. 358 (Notarial Acts, including §358.645 for RON).

• MN Notary Public Commission Guide (PDF): SOS summary.

• Contact SOS Notary Services: Phone 651-296-2803 (or 1-877-551-6767, option 3); Email [email protected] Mail: MN SOS, Notary Division, First National Bank Bldg, 332 Minnesota St N201, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What should I do if my notary seal/stamp is lost or stolen?

A: Immediately notify the MN SOS Notary Division. Obtain a new official stamp. Consider a police report for theft.

Q: How much can a Minnesota notary charge for notarizations?

A: Max $5.00 per standard notarial act. For RON, a "reasonable fee" may be charged (as of Jan 1, 2023, per Minn. Stat. 357.17, the fee for an electronic notarial act, including RON, is also often cited as $5, but platforms may charge additional tech fees). Travel fees by prior agreement, separate from notarial act fee.

Q: My notary commission expired! Can I renew it, or do I have to start over?

A: If expired, must apply for reappointment (mail Notary Application, $120 fee). Cannot notarize during lapse.

Q: Do I need to get a new notary seal stamp when I renew my commission?

A: Yes. Your new commission will have a new expiration date, which is a required element on the MN notary stamp.

Q: How do I update my name or address on my notary commission during my term?

A: Notify SOS within 30 days. Address: Update online or mail Notary Application (check "Address Change," no fee). If a new county, re-register in a new county. Name: Mail Notary Application (check "Name Change") with proof (e.g., marriage cert, driver's license with new name). No fee. Re-register with the county. Get a new stamp with a new name.

Q: Is a notary journal required in Minnesota?

A: No, not for traditional notarizations (but highly recommended by SOS). Electronic journal/records (including A/V recording) are required for RON.

Q: Can I notarize a document for a family member or relative?

A: Law prohibits notarizing if the notary or spouse is a party or has direct beneficial interest. Best practice: avoid immediate family to prevent appearance of bias.

Q: Can I perform notarizations online or remotely in Minnesota?

A: Yes, if you obtain separate Remote Online Notarization (RON) authorization from SOS. Notaries must be in MN. Use compliant technology.