What is a Notary Bond?

Notary publics are appointed by their state government to serve as an impartial witness during document signings. These individuals are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the signed documents. They do so by verifying signers’ identities, confirming that the documents are understood, administering oaths, and more.

• In most states, a Notary Bond is a prerequisite to becoming a notary. Note that notaries in the US don’t have notary licenses, per se. Instead, states issue notary terms (typically 1- 7 years), known as notary commissions.

The purpose of a Notary Bond is to ensure that a notary performs their job ethically and lawfully. If they fail to do so, their bond acts as a financial guarantee—ensuring that any parties affected by their misbehavior will be compensated for their losses.

Every Notary Bond is a three-way contract between:

1. Principal – the notary that needs the bond.
2. Obligee – the entity requiring the notary to get bonded (ex. Secretary of State).
3. Surety – the company issuing and financially backing the bond.

We recently learned of a woman named Helga who had a claim made against her bond for improper notarization. After an investigation, the claim was proven to be true. Her surety paid the claimant initially. However, Helga was required to pay them back in full, plus legal fees.

We like to tell clients to think of a Notary Bond as a line of credit that you need but hope never to use.

See How Do Surety Bonds Work? for more information.

1. Apply For Your Notary Bond Online

Fill out a bond application. This online form only takes a couple of minutes to complete, and it generates an instant quote.

2. Receive a Bond Quote

Your bond quote will be sent directly to your email. As the bond amount required varies by state, so will your bond quote. However, most notary surety bonds cost between $35 - $55 for a 3-5 year term. However, a $100 processing fee may be included as well.

3. Get Your Bond

Go to our website to sign the bond agreement and pay your invoice. An electronic copy of your notary surety bond will be sent to your email as soon as payment clears. Please double-check this to ensure that there are no errors (spelling, bond amount, etc.).

• Important: Many states don’t accept a bond copy. Instead, you must send them the original bond with a raised surety company seal. If you require this, your bond will be sent by mail.

A Notary Bond typically costs $35-$55 for a 3-5 year term. While the required bond amount varies from $500 - $50,000, you only need to pay a small percentage to get bonded.

Most choose to pay this sum annually, but monthly payment plans are also available.

See What Do Surety Bonds Cost? for more information.

States set their own requirements for Notary Bonds. While some do not have a bonding requirement, most require a bond in an amount anywhere from $500 to $50,000. In most cases, the Secretary of State sets the bond requirements.

Please note that bond amounts and requirements are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, visit The American Society of Notaries or the National Notary Association.

Insurance protects a notary and their business, while a Notary Bond protects the individuals and entities that use the notary service.

Notaries are responsible for ensuring the integrity of documents such as affidavits, estate deeds, trusts, and wills. To do so, they take on tasks such as:

• verifying that signers are who they claim to be
• ensuring all parties understand what they are signing
• making sure no one is signing under duress
• administering oaths
• notarizing documents
• taking depositions and issuing subpoenas
• maintaining accurate records

While becoming a notary can offer a resume upgrade and perks such as flexible hours, it certainly is not without risk. Errors and Omissions Insurance plays a big role in mitigating the penalties of unintentional fraud. However, there is still the chance that mistakes may result in lawsuits.

Moreover, the introduction of Remote Online Notarizations (RON) has also impacted the risk vs. reward of this job. While online notarizations have benefits such as saved travel time and increased business, they may also pose security risks if performed incorrectly.

A Notary Bond is a requirement for becoming a notary in many US states. Luckily, if you do need this bond, it is quick and easy to apply for. When you apply with JW Surety Bonds, we can often get you bonded in as little as a day.

Get a free instant bond quote.

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our bond experts.

State Notary Resources. (n.d.). In National Notary Association. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/state-notary-resources

Surety Bond Cost: Guide & Free Online Quotes. (n.d.). In JW Surety Bonds. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://www.jwsuretybonds.com/edu/what-do-surety-bonds-cost/

What Is a Surety Bond? (n.d.). In JW Surety Bonds. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://www.jwsuretybonds.com/edu/what-is-a-surety-bond

State Notary Information  (n.d.). In www.asnnotary.org. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://www.asnnotary.org/?form=stateinfo

Lewis, M. (2018). Remote Online Notarization: What you need to know. In National Notary Association. https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2018/06/remote-nota…