Notary bond application

Before you start

A notary bond is a promise, backed by a surety company, to pay a person who is harmed by a notary's mistake or misconduct. It protects the public, not you. If the surety pays a claim, you normally pay the surety back. That is the opposite of insurance, and it is the part people are most often surprised by.

Every state sets its own rules. Some require a bond before they will issue a commission, some do not require one at all, and the amount, the term and the office that receives the bond all differ. Use the notary bonds by state page if you want to check your own state first.

What you will need

• Your name exactly as it appears on your notary application.
• The mailing address that will go on the bond.
• Your state, and your county if your state files bonds locally.
• Whether this is a new commission or a renewal.

What happens next

In states where the bond can be bought online, you go straight to the purchase page after you submit. In every other state, someone reviews your request and follows up by email with the right option for your state.

A bond is not insurance for you. If you want cover that protects you rather than the public, that is notary errors and omissions insurance, and you can ask for it on the same form.