Notary Public
Missouri
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
Yes
Exam Required
80%
$10,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedMeet eligibility requirements (18+, Missouri resident or employed in Missouri, registered voter or permanent resident alien, able to read/write English, no disqualifying convictions in past 5 years, no revoked commission in past 10 years)
Read the official Missouri Notary Public Handbook (updated January 2025) or complete state-approved training
Pass the notary public examination with a minimum score of 80%
Submit Application for Commission as a Notary Public online via the MO SOS Notary Portal (or by mail) with $25 non-refundable fee and completion certificate
Upon approval, obtain a $10,000 surety bond within 60 days
Appear at your local county clerk's office to file the bond and take the oath of office
Mail the bond and oath documents to the Secretary of State within 7 days of filing with the county clerk
Purchase a new notary seal (black ink stamp) and permanently bound journal
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years or older years old
Residency
Must be a resident of the Missouri county where applying or have a regular place of work or business in Missouri
Citizenship
Must be a registered voter in the county of application or a permanent resident alien of the United States
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredMissouri does not mandate formal education courses. However, applicants must either read the official Missouri Notary Public Handbook (updated January 2025) or complete state-approved notary training (online or written options available from the Secretary of State). On the application, applicants attest to having read the handbook or received approved training.
Exam
RequiredAll applicants must pass a notary public examination administered by the Missouri Secretary of State. The exam assesses knowledge of notarial laws, ethics, and procedures. Applicants must score at least 80% to pass.
Passing score: 80%
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$10,000
A $10,000 surety bond is mandatory for the 4-year commission term. The bond must be executed within 60 days after application approval and filed with the county clerk.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredErrors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is not required by Missouri law but is strongly recommended to cover legal fees and damages from notarial errors.
Seal / Stamp
Requiredrubber stamp
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $25 |
Bond Premium | $45-$50 |
Stamp / Seal | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost | $133-$180 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Renewing notaries must read the updated Handbook or complete training, pass the exam again (80% minimum), submit a new application with $25 fee, obtain a new $10,000 surety bond, take a new oath with the county clerk, and purchase a new seal. The renewal process is essentially the same as the initial application.
Renewal Fee
$25
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Missouri authorized remote online notarization effective August 28, 2020. Notaries must hold an active traditional Missouri commission and register as an Electronic Notary with the Secretary of State. Must use an SOS-approved audio-visual technology platform.
Additional Requirements
Must complete training course and pass Missouri notary online test for electronic notary authorization. Must contract with a state-approved RON technology provider. Must maintain an electronic journal for electronic/remote acts. RON sessions must include audio-video recording with 10-year retention. Notary may charge $5 per act plus reasonable, agreed-upon technology fees for RON.
Important Notes
What Makes Missouri Unique
Missouri requires applicants to be registered voters in their county of application OR permanent resident aliens of the U.S.
Missouri requires applicants to be registered voters in their county of application OR permanent resident aliens of the U.S.
Residents have statewide notary jurisdiction; non-residents are limited to performing notarial acts related to their Missouri employment only.
Missouri requires a permanently bound journal with numbered pages; simple notebooks are not acceptable.
Journals must be retained for a minimum of 10 years.
The notary seal must use black ink only, and a new seal is required for each commission term.
Applicants must be able to read and write English.
The bond must be filed with the county clerk within 60 days of application approval, and the bond/oath must be mailed to the Secretary of State within 7 days of county filing.