How to become a notary in Missouri
Eligibility, a course, an exam, a $10,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Missouri Secretary of State, Notaries & Commissions Unit.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Reside or have a regular place of work or business in Missouri and reside legally in the U.S. (permanent resident aliens send a copy of the green card). Non-residents may apply if they work in Missouri and will use the commission in the course of that employment; they appoint the Secretary of State as agent for service of process and are commissioned in the county of their employer; Able to read and write English; no commission revoked in the past 5 years; no felony or offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude (guilty finding or guilty/nolo plea) within the past 5 years.
- Take the required notary course — Read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook and complete the Secretary of State's online training course or the written training course (certificate submitted with the application).
- Pass the notary exam — Must score 80% or better on the Secretary of State's examination before a commission is issued (RSMo 486.630); taken with the SOS online or written training course.
- Buy a $10,000 surety bond — 4-year $10,000 surety bond from a licensed Missouri surety covering the same dates and county as the commission; presented to the county clerk when qualifying, then mailed with the oath to the Secretary of State within 7 days.
- Complete the background check — Self-disclosure questions on the application under oath; no fingerprints.
- Apply to the Missouri Secretary of State, Notaries & Commissions Unit — Pay the $25 state fee. Other fees: $25 = $15 commission fee + $10 technology fee (RSMo 28.160); county clerk charges a swearing-in fee that varies by county; $5 fee for address, employer or name changes; bond premium and seal purchased privately.
- Take the oath and file it — After approval, appear in person at the county clerk's office within 60 days of the commission issue date with the commission letter, $10,000 bond and photo ID; take the oath and sign the specimen signature; mail the oath and bond to the Secretary of State postmarked within 7 days. Commissions not qualified within 60 days are cancelled.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: official seal (from an SOS-registered vendor) with name exactly as on the commission, commission ID number, 'Notary Public', 'Notary Seal', 'State of Missouri' and 'My commission expires (date)' inside a rectangular or circular border; embosser optional in addition; new seal for each commission. Journal: Required (one permanently bound journal with numbered pages, kept at least 10 years after the last entry).
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 Missouri's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Missouri notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Missouri Secretary of State, Notaries & Commissions Unit |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Reside or have a regular place of work or business in Missouri and reside legally in the U.S. (permanent resident aliens send a copy of the green card). Non-residents may apply if they work in Missouri and will use the commission in the course of that employment; they appoint the Secretary of State as agent for service of process and are commissioned in the county of their employer |
| Course | Required Read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook and complete the Secretary of State's online training course or the written training course (certificate submitted with the application) |
| Exam | Required Must score 80% or better on the Secretary of State's examination before a commission is issued (RSMo 486.630); taken with the SOS online or written training course |
| State fee | $25 |
| Other fees | $25 = $15 commission fee + $10 technology fee (RSMo 28.160); county clerk charges a swearing-in fee that varies by county; $5 fee for address, employer or name changes; bond premium and seal purchased privately |
| Surety bond | $10,000 4-year $10,000 surety bond from a licensed Missouri surety covering the same dates and county as the commission; presented to the county clerk when qualifying, then mailed with the oath to the Secretary of State within 7 days |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | Self-disclosure questions on the application under oath; no fingerprints |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | After approval, appear in person at the county clerk's office within 60 days of the commission issue date with the commission letter, $10,000 bond and photo ID; take the oath and sign the specimen signature; mail the oath and bond to the Secretary of State postmarked within 7 days. Commissions not qualified within 60 days are cancelled |
| Seal | Required: official seal (from an SOS-registered vendor) with name exactly as on the commission, commission ID number, 'Notary Public', 'Notary Seal', 'State of Missouri' and 'My commission expires (date)' inside a rectangular or circular border; embosser optional in addition; new seal for each commission |
| Journal | Required (one permanently bound journal with numbered pages, kept at least 10 years after the last entry) |
| Max fee per notarization | $5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats and signature witnessings; certified copies $1 per page (minimum $3); agreed travel fee allowed; no fee for absentee ballots or absentee voter registration |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Commissioned notaries may register as remote online notaries with the Secretary of State after an additional SOS-approved course and exam and choosing an approved software vendor (RSMo 486.1100-486.1205); registration lasts as long as the commission and must be redone at each recommission; an agreed RON transaction fee may be charged on top of the $5 notarial fee |
| Renewal | No automatic renewal: retake the online or written training course no earlier than 6 weeks before expiration, file a reappointment application ($25), buy a new 4-year bond and qualify again at the county clerk |
Apply online at the SOS notary portal or by mail (P.O. Box 784, Jefferson City, MO 65102). Commissioned for your county of residence or regular place of work but may notarize statewide (non-residents only in the course of their Missouri employment). Report address, employer or name changes within 10 days ($5). Rules from 2020 HB 1655 (RSMo 486.600 et seq.).
Sources: Missouri SOS - How to Become a Notary · Missouri SOS - Application Instructions · Missouri SOS - Notary FAQ · Missouri Notary Public Handbook (Aug 2025) · Missouri SOS - Reappointments. 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 Missouri 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 Missouri licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Missouri insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Missouri?
The state fee is $25, plus $25 = $15 commission fee + $10 technology fee (RSMo 28.160); county clerk charges a swearing-in fee that varies by county; $5 fee for address, employer or name changes; bond premium and seal purchased privately. Add the premium for the $10,000 bond, the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Missouri?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission, plus the time for the course and exam.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Missouri?
Missouri requires a course, an exam, a $10,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Missouri?
$5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats and signature witnessings; certified copies $1 per page (minimum $3); agreed travel fee allowed; no fee for absentee ballots or absentee voter registration.
Can I be an online notary in Missouri?
Yes. Commissioned notaries may register as remote online notaries with the Secretary of State after an additional SOS-approved course and exam and choosing an approved software vendor (RSMo 486.1100-486.1205); registration lasts as long as the commission and must be redone at each recommission; an agreed RON transaction fee may be charged on top of the $5 notarial fee