How to become a notary in Mississippi
Eligibility, a $5,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division (application approved by the Governor).
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Mississippi resident for at least 30 days immediately before applying; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. No non-resident commissions (moving out of state ends the commission); Able to read and write English; never convicted of a felony in any state/nation and not incarcerated or on parole; no prior denial, revocation, suspension, restriction or resignation of a notary commission anywhere.
- Buy a $5,000 surety bond — 4-year $5,000 surety bond on SOS Form NP 002 (or equivalent) from a surety licensed by the Mississippi Department of Insurance, filed with the Secretary of State within 60 days of the application or the application lapses; the commission expires when the bond does.
- Complete the background check — Sworn self-declaration on the application (felony convictions, prior commission discipline); no fingerprints.
- Apply to the Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division (application approved by the Governor) — Pay the $25 state fee. Other fees: Bond premium, official stamp and journal purchased privately; name change requires a bond rider and the prescribed name-change fee.
- Take the oath and file it — Application must be signed under oath before a notary. Before the commission issues, file the notarized oath of office (Constitution Sec. 268) and the $5,000 bond with the Secretary of State; the SOS may issue a pre-commission letter with start/end dates for buying the bond. Commission certificate is delivered by email.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: official stamp showing, in order, 'State of Mississippi', name as on commission, 'Notary Public', county where the notary maintains an office, commission expiration date and commission ID number; no abbreviations. Journal: Required (one journal at a time; bound paper with numbered pages or compliant electronic journal).
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 Mississippi's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Mississippi notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division (application approved by the Governor) |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Mississippi resident for at least 30 days immediately before applying; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. No non-resident commissions (moving out of state ends the commission) |
| Course | Not required No mandatory education for a commission |
| Exam | Not required No state exam |
| State fee | $25 |
| Other fees | Bond premium, official stamp and journal purchased privately; name change requires a bond rider and the prescribed name-change fee |
| Surety bond | $5,000 4-year $5,000 surety bond on SOS Form NP 002 (or equivalent) from a surety licensed by the Mississippi Department of Insurance, filed with the Secretary of State within 60 days of the application or the application lapses; the commission expires when the bond does |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | Sworn self-declaration on the application (felony convictions, prior commission discipline); no fingerprints |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Application must be signed under oath before a notary. Before the commission issues, file the notarized oath of office (Constitution Sec. 268) and the $5,000 bond with the Secretary of State; the SOS may issue a pre-commission letter with start/end dates for buying the bond. Commission certificate is delivered by email |
| Seal | Required: official stamp showing, in order, 'State of Mississippi', name as on commission, 'Notary Public', county where the notary maintains an office, commission expiration date and commission ID number; no abbreviations |
| Journal | Required (one journal at a time; bound paper with numbered pages or compliant electronic journal) |
| Max fee per notarization | $5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats and signature witnessings; $5 per person for oaths/affirmations; agreed travel fee allowed; no fee for absentee voter applications or ballots |
| Remote online notary | Not authorized No remote online notarization law (RON bills HB 1154 and SB 2456 died in committee in 2025). In-person electronic notarization is allowed after a separate e-notary registration with the Secretary of State |
| Renewal | File a new application and oath 60 to 90 days before expiration (at least 60 days before), then submit a new bond when approved; new commission starts the day after the old one expires |
Governed by the Revised Mississippi Law on Notarial Acts (Miss. Code 25-34-1 et seq., effective July 1, 2021) and SOS Title 1 Part 5 rules. Statewide jurisdiction, but the stamp shows your county; report address or name changes to the SOS within 30 days. Notarizing your own signature or (generally) relatives is prohibited.
Sources: Mississippi SOS - Notaries & Apostilles · Mississippi SOS - Notaries FAQs · Application for Notary Public Commission (Form 11NP001, rev. 7/2021) · The Notary Act (Miss. Code 25-34) · Mississippi Notary Rules (Title 1, Part 5). 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Mississippi insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Mississippi?
The state fee is $25, plus Bond premium, official stamp and journal purchased privately; name change requires a bond rider and the prescribed name-change fee. Add the premium for the $5,000 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Mississippi?
Less than one week for a complete application with bond and oath.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Mississippi?
Mississippi requires a $5,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Mississippi?
$5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats and signature witnessings; $5 per person for oaths/affirmations; agreed travel fee allowed; no fee for absentee voter applications or ballots.
Can I be an online notary in Mississippi?
Mississippi hasn't authorized its notaries to perform remote online notarizations (No remote online notarization law (RON bills HB 1154 and SB 2456 died in committee in 2025). In-person electronic notarization is allowed after a separate e-notary registration with the Secretary of State).