How to become a notary in Idaho
Eligibility, a $10,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Idaho Secretary of State.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Idaho resident, or have a place of employment or practice in Idaho (non-residents who work in Idaho qualify). The commission ends automatically if you leave the state and no longer work in Idaho; US citizen or permanent legal resident; able to read and write; not disqualified under Idaho Code 51-123 (e.g. a felony or a crime of fraud, dishonesty or deceit, false application statements, prior notary misconduct).
- Buy a $10,000 surety bond — $10,000 surety bond from a licensed bonding agent (usually an insurance agent), submitted with the application; the name on the bond must match the application exactly. State employees get the bond through the Department of Administration's Risk Management.
- Complete the background check — No fingerprints or background check; the application includes sworn statements.
- Apply to the Idaho Secretary of State — Pay the $30 state fee. Other fees: Bond premium and stamp are extra. City, county and state employees using the commission for their job pay no filing fee.
- Take the oath and file it — Oath of office is part of the application, which must be signed before a notary. Submit the application, original bond and $30 fee together (online at sosbiz.idaho.gov); once the Certificate of Commission is issued, buy the stamp.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: inked stamp, rectangular or circular, serrated or milled edge, containing only "Notary Public", "State of Idaho", the name exactly as commissioned and the commission number (expiration date optional). Journal: Recommended (not required); remote notarization recordings must be kept 10 years.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Idaho's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Idaho notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Idaho Secretary of State |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Idaho resident, or have a place of employment or practice in Idaho (non-residents who work in Idaho qualify). The commission ends automatically if you leave the state and no longer work in Idaho. |
| Course | Not required The Secretary of State offers a free online notary training course (7 chapters with videos and optional quizzes); it is recommended, not required. |
| Exam | Not required No exam. |
| State fee | $30 |
| Other fees | Bond premium and stamp are extra. City, county and state employees using the commission for their job pay no filing fee. |
| Surety bond | $10,000 $10,000 surety bond from a licensed bonding agent (usually an insurance agent), submitted with the application; the name on the bond must match the application exactly. State employees get the bond through the Department of Administration's Risk Management. |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | No fingerprints or background check; the application includes sworn statements. |
| Term | 6 years |
| Oath / filing | Oath of office is part of the application, which must be signed before a notary. Submit the application, original bond and $30 fee together (online at sosbiz.idaho.gov); once the Certificate of Commission is issued, buy the stamp. |
| Seal | Required: inked stamp, rectangular or circular, serrated or milled edge, containing only "Notary Public", "State of Idaho", the name exactly as commissioned and the commission number (expiration date optional). |
| Journal | Recommended (not required); remote notarization recordings must be kept 10 years |
| Max fee per notarization | $5 per notarial act, plus actual and reasonable travel expenses |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Since January 1, 2020 commissioned notaries can add electronic/remote online notarization by filing an "Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary" amendment on sosbiz.idaho.gov and naming tamper-evident technology. |
| Renewal | Recommission by submitting a new application, bond and $30 fee; you may keep your current stamp unless it shows the expiration date or the details changed. |
Notify the Secretary of State within 30 days of a name, address or contact change; a name or city change requires a new stamp. Idaho notaries may not notarize for themselves, their spouse, or documents in which they have a beneficial interest.
Sources: Idaho Secretary of State - Notary Information · Idaho Notary Public Handbook (revised 2024) · Idaho Secretary of State - Notary Training Course · Idaho Code 51-123 (grounds to deny a commission). Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Idaho notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Idaho licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Idaho insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Idaho?
The state fee is $30, plus Bond premium and stamp are extra. City, county and state employees using the commission for their job pay no filing fee.. Add the premium for the $10,000 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Idaho?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Idaho?
Idaho requires a $10,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Idaho?
$5 per notarial act, plus actual and reasonable travel expenses.
Can I be an online notary in Idaho?
Yes. Since January 1, 2020 commissioned notaries can add electronic/remote online notarization by filing an "Addition of Electronic or Remote Online Notary" amendment on sosbiz.idaho.gov and naming tamper-evident technology.