District of Columbia notary surety bond

A District of Columbia notary surety bond is a promise, backed by a surety company, that helps pay a person who is harmed by a mistake or by misconduct of a notary. The bond is for the public. It is not for the notary. If the surety pays a claim, the notary usually has to pay the surety back.

District of Columbia notary bond at a glance

Bond amount

$2,000

Commission term

Five years

Commissioned by

Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia (Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications)

What District of Columbia requires

1. Apply to the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia.
2. Obtain a $2,000 surety bond or its functional equivalent.
3. Complete the required training and take the oath of office.

DC government employees who notarize only for official government duties are exempt from the bond requirement; anyone with a private or dual commission must carry the bond.

A notary bond does not replace notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The bond pays the public. E&O protects you.

State rules change. Always check with the District of Columbia commissioning authority for the current requirements before you apply. Details on this page were last checked on 2026-08-13.

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A notary bond protects the public. E&O insurance is intended to protect you, the notary, against a claim that comes from an error, a mistake or alleged misconduct in your notarial work. Many District of Columbia notaries add an E&O policy next to the bond.