How to Become a Notary in Michigan

How do I renew my notary commission in Michigan?

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A Michigan notary can renew their notary commission up to sixty days before their current notary commission expires. To renew your Michigan notary commission, follow the same steps as when you initially applied to become a notary.

Notaries who are licensed attorneys in Michigan will receive a reappointment application ninety days prior to their commission expiration dates. A notary attorney’s application for reappointment must be certified by the State Bar of Michigan to verify that the attorney is still a member in good standing.

Who appoints notaries in Michigan?

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The Michigan Secretary of State processes notary applications, issues notary public commissions, and maintains all the records regarding notaries public.

Secretary of State
Michigan Department of State
Office of the Great Seal
7064 Crowner Blvd
Lansing, MI 48918-1750
(888) 767-6424

Can a non-resident of Michigan apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. A nonresident may be commissioned as a Michigan notary public when they demonstrate that their business activity requires them to perform notarial acts in Michigan and they work or maintain a principal place of business in the county where they are requesting to be commissioned.

A nonresident notary applicant must follow the same steps as a resident notary applicant; however, they must include the following documents with their notary public application:

• A copy of their out-of-state driver’s license.
• A signed employer letter on company letterhead containing:
  • Employee name.
  • Company business address in Michigan.
  • Nature of job assignment warranting the use of a Michigan notary public commission.
  • Approximate length of time the applicant will be working in Michigan.

Note: Michigan nonresident applicants must mail their notary applications to the Department of State after filing their bonds and taking the oath of office before the county clerk.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Michigan?

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The term of a Michigan notary public commission is determined by the notary’s date of birth. Each notary public commission ends on the notary’s birthday. Below is how the notary commission term is determined:

• If the notary’s commission date is before their birthday in that calendar year, the term will be six years from their birthday.
• If the notary’s commission date is after their birthday in that calendar year, the term will be seven years from their birthday.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Michigan?

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No. Michigan notary statute does not require a course of study and/or examination to become a notary public in Michigan. However, Michigan notary statute requires a notary public applicant to certify that they carefully read the Michigan Notary Public laws before signing the declaration on the notary application.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Michigan?

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The cost to become a notary public in Michigan includes:

1. A $10 application fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment.
2. A $10 fee to file a surety bond with the county clerk. Some counties may charge more.
3. A $10,000 surety bond. Click here to view our Michigan notary bond price.
4. A journal if you would like to record all notarial acts performed. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
5. A notary seal if you would like to authenticate a notarial act. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
6. An errors and omissions insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view our policy premiums and coverage amounts. 

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Michigan?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Michigan notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Michigan notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Michigan notary public.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Michigan?

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Yes. All Michigan notary applicants are required to maintain a $10,000 notary bond for the duration of their notary term. The bond must be obtained and filed with the county clerk within ninety days before submitting an application for a notary public appointment.

A licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan is not required to file a surety bond with the county clerk; however, the state bar number must be included on the application for verification.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Michigan?

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A notary stamp in Michigan is optional. Section 55.287(2) of the Michigan Law of Notarial Acts states, “on each record that a notary public performs a notarial act and immediately near the notary public’s signature, as is practical, the notary public shall print, type, stamp, or otherwise imprint mechanically or electronically sufficiently clear and legible to be read by the secretary and in a manner capable of photographic reproduction all of the following in this format or in a similar format that conveys all of the same information”:

• The name of the notary public exactly as it appears on the notary public commission.
• The words “Notary Public, State of Michigan, County of ____________.”
• The words “My commission expires___________.”
• The words “Acting in the County of _____________” if the notary is performing a notarial act in a county other than the county of commission.
• The date the notarial act was performed.
• If applicable, whether the notarial act was performed using an electronic notarization system under section 26a (MCL 55.286a) or performed using a remote electronic notarization platform under section 26b (MCL 55.286b).

Note:

• A notary public may use a stamp, seal, or electronic process that contains all the information required under subsection 2.
• A notary public must not use the stamp, seal, or electronic process in a manner that renders anything illegible on the record being notarized.
• A notary public shall not use an embosser alone or use any other method that cannot be reproduced (MCL 55.287[3]).

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Michigan notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Michigan notary seal?

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Michigan law does not address the steps to follow when a notary seal is lost or stolen. However, the American Association of Notaries recommends you report the incident to the secretary of state and to your local law enforcement agency. After notifying the secretary of state, you may click here to order a new seal.

How much can a Michigan notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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The Michigan law on notarial acts states that a Michigan notary cannot charge more than $10 for each notarial act performed.

Furthermore, a notary public must either conspicuously display a sign or expressly advise an individual concerning the fee amount to be charged for a notarial act before the notary performs the act. A Michigan notary public may charge a separate travel fee, as agreed to by the notary and the client prior to the notarial act.

Is a notary journal required in Michigan?

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Notary Journal requirements for each type of notarization in Michigan:

• Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations (in person) – The Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA) does not require notaries to maintain a journal of the traditional or electronic notarial acts they perform. However, it is beneficial to keep either a tangible, permanent bound register or a tamper-evident, permanent electronic journal.
• Remote Notarizations - A Michigan notary performing remote notarizations must maintain only a single journal and must keep the journal as either a tangible, permanent bound register or in a tamper-evident, permanent electronic format.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery and fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices. 

 

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Michigan notaries record in their notary journals?

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Michigan requires notaries to chronicle the following information in their notary journals:

For Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations – If you choose to maintain a notary journal, the secretary of state recommends that you record the following information:

1. The date, time, and nature of the notarial act.
2. A description of the record, if any.
3. The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.
4. The identification method:
   • If the identity of the individual for whom the notarial act is performed is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect.
   • If the identity of the individual for whom the notarial act is performed is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including the date of issuance and expiration for the credential.
5. The fee charged, if any, by the notary public.

For Remote Notarizations – Michigan requires notaries performing remote notarizations to chronicle the following information in their notary journals:

1. The date, time, and nature of the notarial act.
2. A description of the record, if any.
3. The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed.
4. The identification method:
   • If the identity of the individual for whom the notarial act is performed is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect.
   • If the identity of the individual for whom the notarial act is performed is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including the date of issuance and expiration for the credential.
5. The fee charged, if any, by the notary public.
6. A reference only to any audio or visual recording of the remote notarial act.

How long should I retain my Michigan notary journal?

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Michigan notaries must keep their notary journals for at least ten years after the date of the last recorded act. The Michigan Secretary of State must be notified of the location of the journal once a notary public is no longer commissioned.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Michigan?

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Michigan notaries have statewide jurisdiction; however, they must be physically within the geographic borders of the state of Michigan to perform any type of notarization.

What notarial acts can a Michigan notary public perform?

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A Michigan notary public is authorized but not limited to perform the following notarial acts:

• Take acknowledgments.
• Administer oaths or affirmations.
• Witness or attest to a signature.

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Michigan?

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Michigan law allows the following three types of notarizations:

Traditional notarization – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarization (in person) – This type of notarization requires the signer and the electronic notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote notarization – The signer appears remotely before a remote notary via audio-video communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to become an electronic notary in Michigan?

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To become an electronic notary in Michigan, you must:

1. Hold an existing Michigan notary public commission.
2. Contract with a state approved vendor for electronic notarizations.
3. Complete the Electronic & Remote Notary Request for Change form found on the secretary of state’s website.

Once the change form is processed, the secretary of state will add the approved vendor to your profile. For more information on electronic notarizations in Michigan, visit the general information guide.

What are the steps to become a remote notary in Michigan?

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To become a remote notary in Michigan, you must:

1. Hold an existing Michigan notary public commission.
2. Contract with a state approved vendor for remote notarizations.
3. Complete the Electronic & Remote Notary Request for Change form found on the secretary of state’s website.

Once the change form is processed, the secretary of state will add the approved vendor to your profile. For more information on remote notarizations in Michigan, visit the general information guide.

How do I update my address on my Michigan notary commission?

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Michigan notaries are required to notify the Michigan Secretary of State of any address change. You may update your address by completing a Request for Duplicate/Notice of Change form. There is no charge to correct your records with the secretary of state.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Michigan?

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To report a name change to the secretary of state, complete and submit a Notary Public Request for Duplicate/Notice of Change form. There is no charge to correct your records with the secretary of state. If you would like to receive an updated commission certificate, you can enclose a $10 fee along with the form when submitting it to the secretary of state.

Revised:

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January 2024