Notary Requirements for Wyoming: 2025 Updated

This guide details becoming a Wyoming notary public and renewing a commission, based on official state sources and law as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, application, bond, seal, remote notarization, and FAQs.

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

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet these criteria:

• Age: At least 18 years old.

• Residency/Employment: Wyoming resident OR have a place of employment/practice in Wyoming OR be a spouse/legal dependent of U.S. military personnel on active duty in Wyoming.

• Citizenship/Legal Status: U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S.

• Language & Literacy: Able to read and write English.

• Character: No disqualifying criminal convictions (no felonies unless civil rights restored) or record of notarial misconduct.

• Education & Exam: Complete state-required notary education and pass an exam (for new and renewing notaries).

The Secretary of State (SOS) may deny or revoke a commission for lack of honesty, integrity, competence, or reliability.

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

Order Wyoming Notary Stamp

Application Process for New Notary Commission

Process updated under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA).

1. Complete Application Form: Download Notary Public Commission Application/Renewal form from WY SOS website. Fill out completely.

2. Review Education & Take Exam: Review official WY Notary Education Presentation (on SOS website). Complete the 20-question true/false exam attached to the application (70% pass rate). Alternatively, take an SOS-approved vendor course and submit a completion certificate (can skip the exam section on state form).

3. Notarize Oath: Sign Part IV (Oath of Office) on the application before a current notary, who must notarize your signature.

4. Prepare Filing Fee: $60 (non-refundable), check or money order to "Wyoming Secretary of State."

5. Submit Application: Mail or hand-deliver completed, signed, notarized application and fee to SOS office in Cheyenne. (No online filing).

6. Processing & Commission Issuance: SOS processes in ~5-7 business days. Upon approval, SOS emails appointment letters and Certificate of Commission. No county recording needed.

7. Obtain Notary Seal/Stamp: After receiving commission certificate, purchase an official notary stamp meeting new WY design requirements.

8. Begin Notarizing: Once you have a stamp and journal, you may begin.

Wyoming eliminated surety bond and county oath filing requirements as of July 1, 2021.

Surety Bond Requirements

Wyoming does not require a notary surety bond since July 1, 2021. Optional bond or Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance may be purchased for personal protection but is not filed with the state.

Notary Seal and Journal Requirements

Notary Seal (Stamp): Mandatory; must be affixed on each notarized document.

• Format: Rectangular, approx. 1 inch wide x 2½ inches long.

• Ink Color: Blue or black.

• Border: Must have a border outline.

• Required Text (within border):

  1. Notary’s name (as on commission).

  2. “Notary Public.”

  3. “State of Wyoming.”

  4. Notary’s commission ID number.

  5. “My commission expires (date)” (commission expiration date).

• No Extra Images/Text: Cannot contain WY state seal, logos, or county name.

• New Stamp per Term: Each commission term requires a new stamp with updated expiration.

• Security: Notary's responsibility. Report loss/theft promptly to SOS.

Notary Journal: Mandatory for every notarial act since 2021.

• Format: Physical (bound paper book) or electronic (secure, tamper-evident).

• Entries (contemporaneous): Date/time, act type, document description, signer's name, ID method (or personal knowledge/credible witness), fee.

• Security/Retention: Keep secure under sole control. Not surrendered to employer. Retain for a substantial period (best practice 10+ years). Audio-visual recordings for RON also required (10-year retention). Surrender to SOS if requested or upon death.

Oath of Office and Recording Procedures

• Oath: Incorporated into application form (Part IV), signed and notarized before submission. No separate post-commission oath ceremony.

• Recording: No county-level recording. SOS handles commissioning centrally. Commission effective upon issuance.

Commission Term and Expiration Details

• Term: Six (6) years from issuance date (increased from 4 years in 2021). Expiration on certificate and seal.

• End of Commission: Authority ceases at expiration. No automatic extension.

• One Commission: Only one WY notary commission per individual.

• Jurisdiction: Statewide. Reciprocity with Montana (can notarize in MT under WY commission).

• Commission ID Number: Assigned by SOS, required on seal.

• Name/Address Changes: Notify SOS. Name change requires new seal. Resign if no longer meeting WY residency/employment.

• Resignation/Revocation: Notify SOS in writing. Destroy seal. Surrender journals as directed.

Commission Renewal Process

Essentially the same as new application.

1. When to Renew: Up to 60 days before expiration (recommended 4-6 weeks prior). No grace period for notarizing post-expiration.

2. Application Form: Use standard Application/Renewal form; mark "Renewal."

3. Education & Exam: Redo education presentation review and pass attached exam.

4. Notarize Oath & Submit Fee: Notarize Part IV oath. Include $60 fee.

5. Processing: SOS emails new certificate/appointment letter. New 6-year term begins after old one ends.

6. New Stamp: Obtain new stamp with new expiration date and commission ID (if changed).

7. No Bond: No bond needed for renewals.

If commission lapses, reapply as new; cannot notarize during gap.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Wyoming

Authorized since July 1, 2021 (RULONA).

• Types:

  • RON: Signer and notary remote; electronic document signed electronically.

  • RIN (Remote Ink Notarization): Remote appearance for acknowledgments on paper documents (signer signs paper off-camera, acknowledges via video, mails to notary). Not for jurats/oaths.

• Notification: Notify SOS of intent to perform remote notarizations and list RON platform(s) on application/renewal form or via email to SOS.

• Approved Technology: Use platform providing:

  • Secure, real-time audio-visual communication.

  • Identity verification (multi-factor: credential analysis + KBA, or personal knowledge/credible witness).

  • Electronic document handling and tamper-evident e-seals/e-signatures.

  • Audio-visual recording capability.

• Notary Location: Must be in Wyoming.

• Signer Location: Anywhere (if outside U.S., document must have U.S. nexus and act not prohibited by foreign law).

• Procedure: Verify ID, administer oath (if jurat for RON), observe signing, complete e-certificate (noting remote act), apply e-seal.

• Journal & Recording: Record remote notarization in journal. Create and retain audio-visual recording of session for at least 10 years.

• Fees: Max $10 notary fee + reasonable, agreed-upon technology fee.

• Prohibitions: Cannot notarize if notary/spouse has direct beneficial interest.

Official Resources

• Wyoming SOS – Notary Public Division: sos.wyo.gov/services/notaries.aspx (forms, education, FAQs).

• WY Notary Public Commission Application/Renewal Form & Education Presentation: On SOS website.

• WY Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA): WY Statutes Title 32, Chapter 3.

• WY Notary Rules (Administrative Rules): Via WY SOS Rules system.

• Contact SOS Notary Division: Phone (307) 777-7370; Email [email protected] Address: Herschler Building East, 122 W. 25th Street, Suite 100, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much can I charge for notary services in Wyoming?

A: Max $10.00 per notarial act. Additional reasonable technology fee allowed for RON. Travel fees by prior agreement.

Q: Is a notary journal really required in Wyoming, and what if I forget to record something?

A: Yes, mandatory for every notarial act since 2021. If entry missed, make late entry ASAP with accurate date/annotation. Habitual failure is a violation.

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

A: Promptly notify WY SOS Notary Division. For lost stamp, order new one. For lost journal, notify SOS.

Q: I changed my name. How do I update my notary commission?

A: File Notary Public Name Change Form with SOS. Provide proof. Get updated commission certificate. Obtain new seal with new name.

Q: I’ve moved within Wyoming. Do I need to report an address change?

A: Yes, recommended to email SOS Notary Division with new address to keep records current for official notices. No fee. If moving out of WY without WY employment, resign commission.

Q: My commission expired and I didn’t realize it. Can I renew it now?

A: If expired, must reapply as new (same process/fee). Stop notarizing during lapse. No late renewal/grace period for notarizing.

Q: Can I notarize documents for my family members, friends, or my employer?

A: Cannot notarize if notary/spouse is a party or has direct beneficial interest. Avoid for immediate family if you might benefit. Notarizing for employer/coworkers allowed if no personal interest.

Q: Can I use my Wyoming notary commission in other states?

A: Generally no. Valid within WY. Exception: Montana has reciprocity (can notarize in MT). For RON, notary must be in WY; signer can be elsewhere.

Q: Do I have to include my commission expiration date on every notarization?

A: Yes. WY law requires commission expiration date on the notarial certificate, and new official stamp format includes "My commission expires (date)".

Q: What if I make a mistake on a notarial certificate? Can I correct it?

A: Yes, WY law allows correction. Minor errors on original before completion: neatly strike through, correct, initial. Post-completion: execute separate notarial act correction or re-notarize. Note corrections in journal.

Always rely on official Wyoming SOS resources for the most current information.