Notary Public
Iowa
Notary Public Commission Requirements
3 years for Iowa residents; 1 year for non-residents working in Iowa
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedComplete the Application for Appointment as Notary Public online through the Fast Track Filing System at filings.sos.iowa.gov.
Pay the $30 application fee.
Purchase a notary stamp/seal that meets Iowa requirements (name, 'Notarial Seal', 'Iowa', commission number, expiration date).
Receive your commission certificate from the Secretary of State.
Begin performing notarial acts.
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a resident of Iowa OR have a place of employment or practice in Iowa. Non-residents must reside in a bordering state.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo formal education or training required for traditional notary commission. Must be able to read and write English. RON authorization requires completion of an SOS-approved training course.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required for traditional notary commission.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredIowa does not require notaries public to purchase a surety bond.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not legally required but is strongly recommended by the state for personal liability protection.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredInk stamp required. Must include notary's name, 'Notarial Seal', 'Iowa', commission number, and expiration date. Must be legibly copyable.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $30 |
Bond Premium No bond required in Iowa | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; approximately $30 on average | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost Application fee ($30) plus stamp/seal (~$30). No bond or education costs for traditional commission. | $50-$70 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
3 years for Iowa residents; 1 year for non-residents working in Iowa
Renewal Process
Submit a renewal application through the Fast Track Filing System (filings.sos.iowa.gov) and pay the renewal fee.
Renewal Fee
$30
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Authorized as of July 1, 2020. Must hold an active Iowa traditional notary commission before applying for RON capability. Must complete SOS-approved RON training course, contract with an SOS-approved technology provider, and obtain an e-seal, e-journal, and digital certificate. Notary must be physically in Iowa during RON acts.
Additional Requirements
Complete SOS-approved RON training ($30 via NNA), file Application for Approval to Perform Remote Notarizations with SOS (no fee), maintain electronic journal and audiovisual recordings for 10 years.
Important Notes
What Makes Iowa Unique
Iowa is one of the few states that does not require a surety bond for notaries. The state also has a two-tier commission term system: 3 years for residents vs. 1 year for non-residents.
Iowa does not require a surety bond, which is uncommon among U.S. states.
Non-resident notaries (from bordering states working in Iowa) receive only a 1-year commission compared to the 3-year term for Iowa residents.
A notary journal is recommended but not mandated for traditional notarization; however, RON requires a mandatory electronic journal with 10-year retention.
Must be able to read and write English.