Michigan notary surety bond

A Michigan 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.

Michigan notary bond at a glance

Bond amount

$10,000

Commission term

Six to seven years, running to your birthday

Commissioned by

Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal

Where the bond goes

Filed with the County Clerk of the notary's residence

What Michigan requires

1. Within 90 days of applying, file a $10,000 surety bond and your oath with the County Clerk in your county of residence.
2. Pay the $10 filing fee.
3. Submit your application to the Michigan Department of State.

Michigan does not use a flat term length. A commission runs from the date of appointment until your birthday that falls at least six and at most seven years later, so the exact length depends on when you apply.

$2 of the $10 filing fee goes into the state's notary education and training fund.

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 Michigan commissioning authority for the current requirements before you apply. Details on this page were last checked on 2026-08-12.

Apply online in minutes. Same day issue is available in most cases.

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 Michigan notaries add an E&O policy next to the bond.