Notary Requirements for Missouri: 2025 Updated

This guide details becoming a Missouri notary public and renewing a commission, based on official state sources as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, application, bond, seal, journal, oath, Remote Online Notarization (RON), and FAQs.

• 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 (Reapplication)
• Remote Online Notarization (RON)
• Official Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet these criteria:

• Age and Residency: At least 18 years old. Missouri residents OR have a regular place of work/business in Missouri. Non-residents qualify only if working in MO and using commission for MO employment; work address must be in the county of application.

• Legal Presence: Reside legally in the U.S. (Permanent legal residents must include a copy of their green card).

• Language: Able to read and write English.

• Prior Commission History: No notary commission revoked in MO (residents) or any state (non-residents) in the past five years.

• Criminal History: No guilty findings or pleas (guilty/nolo contendere) to any felony or crime involving dishonesty/moral turpitude within the past five years.

• Non-resident Agent: Non-resident applicants must designate MO SOS as agent for service of process.

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Application Process for New Notary Commission

1. Meet Qualifications & Read Handbook: Ensure eligibility. Read official Missouri Notary Public Handbook (updated Jan 2025) from SOS website.

2. Complete Required Training: Attest on application to reading Handbook OR receiving state-approved notary training (SOS offers online/written options).

3. Pass Notary Examination: Score at least 80% on exams administered by SOS (often part of online training).

4. Complete Application Form: Submit Application for Commission as a Notary Public (online via MO SOS Notary Portal or mail paper form). Use the correct resident/non-resident form. Provide personal info, answer questions, include signed declaration under oath.

5. Pay Commission Fee: $25 non-refundable fee (online payment or check/money order to "State Director of Revenue").

6. Submit Application: Online or mail to MO SOS – Commissions Division, P.O. Box 784, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

7. Await Commission Approval: SOS reviews. If approved, a commission notification letter mailed/emailed.

   • Post-Approval Qualification (within 60 days of commission issuance): Obtain bond, take oath at county clerk.

Surety Bond

A $10,000 surety bond is mandatory for the 4-year commission term.

• Purpose: Protects public from financial harm by notary’s misconduct/negligence (up to $10k). Notary reimburses surety for paid claims.

• Provider: Licensed Missouri surety company (insurance agent, bonding co.).

• Timing: Execute bond within 60 days after application approval. Effective date should align with commission term.

• Filing: Present to county clerk during qualification.

• E&O Insurance: Optional, protects the notary personally.

Notary Seal and Journal Requirements

Notary Seal: Mandatory; official ink stamp (black ink) for authenticating documents.

• Required Elements:

  1. Name (exactly as on commission).

  2. “Notary Public,” “Notary Seal,” “State of Missouri.”

  3. Commission number.

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

  5. Border (circular/rectangular, max 1/16-inch thick).

• Format: Rubber stamp, black ink. Text at least 8-point type, legible. Embosser supplementary, not sufficient alone.

• Electronic Seal: For e-notarizations/RON, registered electronic image/digital certificate meeting content requirements.

• Security: Exclusive property of notary. Keep secure. Report loss/theft to SOS within 10 days. Destroy/deface upon commission end or revocation (revoked seal to SOS).

• Vendor: Must be SOS-registered. New seal for each commission term.

Notary Journal: Mandatory; permanently bound book with pre-numbered pages for all notarial acts.

• One Active Journal Rule: Only one active journal at a time for traditional notarizations.

• Required Entries (contemporaneous):

  1. Date and time.

  2. Type of notarial act.

  3. Document/transaction description.

  4. Full name and address of each signatory.

  5. ID method: personal knowledge OR ID details (type, issuing agency, number, expiration) OR credible witness details.

  6. Fee charged (if any).

  7. Address of notarization if not regular business/residence.

• Prohibited Info: No Social Security numbers or full credit card numbers.

• Retention: At least 10 years after last entry.

• Ownership: Notary's personal property.

• Loss/Theft: Notify SOS in writing within 10 days.

• Electronic Journal (RON): Required for electronic/remote acts. RON sessions also require audio-video recording (10-yr retention).

Oath of Office and Recording the Commission

Must qualify at the county clerk’s office within 60 days of commission issuance.

1. Commission Letter: Await from SOS (copy also sent to your county clerk).

2. What to Bring to County Clerk: Commission Letter, original $10,000 Surety Bond, photo ID, county oath fee (varies, ~$5-$10).

3. Oath of Office: Administered by County Clerk/deputy. Sign oath form with official signature.

4. Bond Recording: Sign bond before clerk; clerk records bond/oath. Clerk may endorse a commission certificate.

5. Receive Commission Certificate: From County Clerk after qualification.

6. Mail Oath and Bond to State: Notary must mail original executed oath and bond to SOS within 7 days of taking oath.

Failure to qualify within 60 days voids commission.

Commission Term and Expiration

• Term: Four (4) years from issuance date (on certificate).

• Authority: Statewide. Non-residents: MO acts for MO employment only.

• Expiration: Note on every act (via seal). No notarizing past expiration.

• Changes: Report name/address changes to SOS within 10 days. Resign if no longer qualified.

Commission Renewal Process (Reapplication)

No automatic renewal; reapply as new every 4 years.

1. When to Reapply: ~6 weeks before current expiration.

2. Process (same as new): Meet qualifications, training/Handbook review, pass exam (80%+), new application form (mark "reappointment"), $25 fee, new $10k bond, new oath with County Clerk, new seal.

3. Lapsed Commission: Stop notarizing. Reapply as new.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Missouri

Authorized since Aug 2020 (RSMo §§ 486.1100 -- 486.1205). Requires registration as Remote Online Notary (Electronic Notary).

• Prerequisites: Current, active MO notary commission.

• Registration: Online application for Electronic Notary via SOS portal. Complete RON-specific training. Identify SOS-approved RON software/platform.

• Notary Location: Must be physically in Missouri.

• Signer Location: Anywhere (MO, other U.S. state, or foreign country if not prohibited by foreign law).

• Process: Live two-way audio-video.

  • ID Proofing: Personal knowledge OR satisfactory evidence (credential analysis of ID + KBA via platform).

  • Electronic document, e-signatures, e-seal. Certificate notes remote act.

• Recordkeeping: Secure electronic journal. Audio-video recording of entire RON session mandatory, retained 10 years.

• Authorized Acts (RON): Acknowledgments, jurats (oaths/affirmations).

• Fees: Regular notary fee + reasonable, agreed-upon RON convenience/technology fee.

Official Resources

• Missouri SOS – Notary Public Division: sos.mo.gov/business/notary (info, forms, online services, FAQs).

• Missouri Notary Public Handbook (2025): PDF on SOS website (Ch. 486 RSMo, guidelines).

• Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 486: Notary laws (revisor.mo.gov).

• Code of State Regulations (15 CSR 30-100 & 15 CSR 30-110): Notary rules.

• Contact Notary Division: Phone (573) 751-2783 or (866) 223-6535 (option 3). Mail: Notary Commissions, SOS, P.O. Box 784, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is eligible to become a Missouri notary public?

A: ≥18, legal U.S. resident, live in MO or work in MO (if non-resident). Able to read/write English. No commission revocation (5 yrs). No felony or crime of moral turpitude (5 yrs).

Q: Is my notary commission automatically renewed after four years?

A: No. Must reapply (new application, training, exam, bond, oath) every 4 years.

Q: How do I renew my notary commission when the term is up?

A: Same as new: training, exam, new application, $25 fee, new $10k bond, new oath at county clerk. Start ~4-6 weeks pre-expiration. New seal needed.

Q: Do I need to keep a notary journal, and what information should be included?

A: Yes, mandatory: chronological, permanently bound, pre-numbered pages. Record: date/time, act type, doc description, signer name/address, ID method, fee, location if not usual. Keep 10 yrs post-last entry.

Q: Is a notary seal required in Missouri?

A: Yes. Black ink rubber stamp with name, "Notary Public," "Notary Seal," "State of Missouri," commission number, expiration date, border. New seal each term.

Q: May I notarize documents for my family members or relatives?

A: No for spouse, domestic partner, ancestor, descendant, sibling (including in-laws, step/half-relatives). Avoid if you have direct beneficial interest.

Q: Can I notarize my own signature or a document in which I am a party?

A: No. Must be impartial. Cannot notarize own signature or if a party/direct beneficiary.

Q: May I make a certified copy of a birth certificate or other vital record?

A: No. Only the issuing agency can certify vital records. Can certify copies of some non-publicly recordable documents.

Q: May I perform a notarization if the signer and I are in different locations (for example, can I notarize via webcam or phone)?

A: Only if registered as a Remote Online Notary using SOS-approved audio-visual technology and following all RON procedures. Otherwise, physical presence is required.

Q: Can I notarize documents anywhere in Missouri, or only in my commissioning county?

A: Statewide jurisdiction. Non-residents: MO acts for MO employment only. Cannot notarize outside MO.

Q: What fees am I allowed to charge for notarizations?

A: Max $5.00 per signature (standard acts). Certified copy: $1/page (min $3). No fee for absentee ballots/registration. Travel fees by prior agreement. RON: $5 + reasonable, agreed technology fee.

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

A: Notify SOS in writing within 10 days. Report to police if theft is suspected. Get a new seal.