Notary Public

Indiana

Notary Public Commission Requirements

VerifiedLast verified: February 2025

Governing Authority

Indiana Secretary of State

Official website →

8 years

Commission Term

before renewal

2 hours

Education Required

online allowed

Yes

Exam Required

80%

$25,000

Bond Required

surety bond

Application Process

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1

Meet eligibility requirements (18+, Indiana resident or employed in Indiana, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, no disqualifying convictions)

2

Create an account on INBiz (inbiz.in.gov)

3

Submit application and pay $75 application fee

4

Obtain Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record ($16.32)

5

Complete the mandatory online notary education course through INBiz (approximately 2 hours, self-paced)

6

Pass the notary exam with 80% or higher (30 questions, through INBiz)

7

Upon approval, obtain a $25,000 surety bond

8

Purchase notary seal and journal

9

Begin performing notarial acts

Basic Requirements

Minimum Age

18 years or older years old

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Residency

Must be a legal resident of Indiana or primarily employed in Indiana

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Citizenship

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident

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Background Check

An Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record is required at a cost of $16.32. Applicants cannot have a conviction or civil ruling involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud, or a conviction with a sentence exceeding six months.

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Education & Exam Requirements

Education

Required

2 hours

All new and renewing applicants must complete a mandatory online notary education course provided through INBiz. The course is self-paced and typically takes approximately 2 hours. Additionally, continuing education is required every 2 years during the 8-year commission term (3 courses total at years 2, 4, and 6, at $50 each). Courses taken outside of INBiz are not accepted.

Online courses: Allowed

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Exam

Required

All new and renewing applicants must pass a mandatory exam administered through INBiz after completing the education course. The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice and true-or-false questions.

Passing score: 80%

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Bond, Insurance & Seal

Surety Bond

Required

$25,000

A $25,000 surety bond is required for the 8-year commission term. The bond must be obtained after application approval.

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Errors & Omissions Insurance

Not Required

Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is not required by Indiana law but is strongly recommended for personal liability protection.

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Seal / Stamp

Required

either

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Fee Breakdown

FeeAmount

Application Fee

$75

Bond Premium

$50-$75

Stamp / Seal

$20-$40

Education Course

$50 per course ($150 total over 8-year term)

Total Estimated Cost

$191-$206

Commission Term & Renewal

Commission Term

8 years

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Renewal Process

Renewing notaries must complete the education course and pass the exam again through INBiz, obtain a new $25,000 surety bond, and submit the renewal application with $75 fee. Continuing education courses must be completed every 2 years throughout the commission term.

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Renewal Fee

$75

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Remote Online Notarization (RON)

RON Allowed

Indiana authorized remote online notarization effective July 1, 2019. Notaries must hold an active traditional Indiana commission with at least 90 days remaining, complete specialized RON education and exam through INBiz, and contract with an SOS-approved technology vendor. The notary must be physically present in Indiana; signers may be located anywhere.

Additional Requirements

RON authorization costs $100 (includes training and exam). Maximum RON fee is $25 per act. Must use SOS-approved technology vendor. Identity verification includes government-issued photo ID via camera and 4 out of 5 dynamic knowledge-based authentication questions answered correctly within 2 minutes. All RON sessions require audiovisual recording with 10-year retention. Electronic journal required with automatic entries.

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Important Notes

What Makes Indiana Unique

Indiana has one of the longest commission terms in the U.S. at 8 years.

  • Indiana has one of the longest commission terms in the U.S. at 8 years.

  • Continuing education is required every 2 years throughout the commission term (3 courses total). Failure to complete CE courses will result in automatic commission expiration.

  • Non-residents may become Indiana notaries if they are primarily employed in Indiana and can provide proof of employment.

  • Indiana notaries cannot hold a lucrative federal or state office simultaneously.

  • Applicants must possess an Indiana driver's license, non-driver ID, or proof of Indiana employment.

Sources

Find Notary Education Courses in Indiana

Indiana requires 2 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.

We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.

Nearby States

Disclaimer: This information is compiled from official state licensing board websites and verified against multiple sources. Requirements may change. Always verify with your state's licensing authority before beginning the application process. LicenseMap does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice.