How to become a notary in Montana
Eligibility, a 4-hour course, an exam, a $25,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who is a Montana resident, OR the spouse/dependent of military personnel on active duty in Montana, OR maintains a registered place of business in Montana, OR is regularly employed at a Montana office/business, OR holds a current Montana professional license; Able to read and write English; not disqualified under MCA 1-5-621 (application background questions require explanatory documentation for any YES answer).
- Take the required notary course — 4 hours — At least 4 hours of SOS-approved notary education completed within 12 months before applying (required since July 1, 2020); approved providers listed in the SOS Notary Academy cost about $25-$65. Renewals: 4 hours in the prior 12 months or 2 hours in each of the prior 3 years.
- Pass the notary exam — Montana Notary Exam (online, linked from the SOS site) required for new and renewing applicants since Oct 1, 2019; pass with 80% no more than 6 months before applying; after 3 failed attempts wait 3 months; upload the exam certificate with the application.
- Buy a $25,000 surety bond — 4-year $25,000 surety bond on Montana's standardized bond form, which includes the Statement of Qualifications and Oath of Office; bond effective date must be within 30 days of the application; the SOS cites a typical cost of $50-$70 for the term.
- Complete the background check — Self-disclosure questions on the online application with explanatory documentation for YES answers; no fingerprints.
- Apply to the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division — Pay the $25 state fee. Other fees: Approved education course fee paid to the provider (about $25-$65); bond premium; stamp and journal purchased privately.
- Take the oath and file it — Sign the standardized bond twice: as principal, and before another notary when swearing to the Statement of Qualifications and Oath of Office; upload the bond with the training and exam certificates in the online application, then download the Certificate of Commission once approved by email.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: rectangular ink stamp about 1 x 2 1/2 in, blue or black ink, with seal, printed name, 'Notary Public for the State of Montana', 'Residing at' city/town and full expiration date (Month/Day/Year); new stamp each term; recommended vendors listed by SOS. Journal: Required (tamper-evident bound paper or electronic journal; every notarial act recorded; kept 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 Montana's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Montana notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division |
| Who can apply | 18+ · U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who is a Montana resident, OR the spouse/dependent of military personnel on active duty in Montana, OR maintains a registered place of business in Montana, OR is regularly employed at a Montana office/business, OR holds a current Montana professional license |
| Course | Required — 4 hours At least 4 hours of SOS-approved notary education completed within 12 months before applying (required since July 1, 2020); approved providers listed in the SOS Notary Academy cost about $25-$65. Renewals: 4 hours in the prior 12 months or 2 hours in each of the prior 3 years |
| Exam | Required Montana Notary Exam (online, linked from the SOS site) required for new and renewing applicants since Oct 1, 2019; pass with 80% no more than 6 months before applying; after 3 failed attempts wait 3 months; upload the exam certificate with the application |
| State fee | $25 |
| Other fees | Approved education course fee paid to the provider (about $25-$65); bond premium; stamp and journal purchased privately |
| Surety bond | $25,000 4-year $25,000 surety bond on Montana's standardized bond form, which includes the Statement of Qualifications and Oath of Office; bond effective date must be within 30 days of the application; the SOS cites a typical cost of $50-$70 for the term |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | Self-disclosure questions on the online application with explanatory documentation for YES answers; no fingerprints |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Sign the standardized bond twice: as principal, and before another notary when swearing to the Statement of Qualifications and Oath of Office; upload the bond with the training and exam certificates in the online application, then download the Certificate of Commission once approved by email |
| Seal | Required: rectangular ink stamp about 1 x 2 1/2 in, blue or black ink, with seal, printed name, 'Notary Public for the State of Montana', 'Residing at' city/town and full expiration date (Month/Day/Year); new stamp each term; recommended vendors listed by SOS |
| Journal | Required (tamper-evident bound paper or electronic journal; every notarial act recorded; kept 10 years after the last entry) |
| Max fee per notarization | $10 per notarial act; extra agreed fee allowed for electronic/remote notarizations and travel (up to IRS mileage rate); fee list must be displayed in English |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Remote online notarization (since Oct 1, 2019), remote notarization of paper documents, and in-person electronic notarization all allowed; the notary must be physically in Montana; requires an approved technology-provider course and exam, then a Notary Public Information Update filed with SOS; all sessions recorded |
| Renewal | Same online process as a new applicant (education, exam, new bond, $25); can be filed no earlier than 30 days before expiration and no later than the 30-day grace period after expiration |
All applications must be filed online through the SOS portal (biz.sosmt.gov); paper is returned. SOS warns a commission cannot be obtained in just a few days. Montana notaries may also notarize tangible documents in Wyoming and North Dakota. Report changes to name, address, email, phone or employment within 30 days. Since Oct 1, 2025 (HB 165) vehicle title transfers no longer need notarization.
Sources: Montana SOS - Applying for a Commission (New and Renewal) · Montana SOS - Notary Academy (approved courses) · Montana SOS - Notary Help Center / FAQ · Montana SOS - Bonds, Stamps, and Journals · Montana SOS - Technology Based Notarization. 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 Montana 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 Montana licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Montana insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Montana?
The state fee is $25, plus Approved education course fee paid to the provider (about $25-$65); bond premium; stamp and journal purchased privately. Add the premium for the $25,000 bond, the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Montana?
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 Montana?
Montana requires a 4-hour course, an exam, a $25,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Montana?
$10 per notarial act; extra agreed fee allowed for electronic/remote notarizations and travel (up to IRS mileage rate); fee list must be displayed in English.
Can I be an online notary in Montana?
Yes. Remote online notarization (since Oct 1, 2019), remote notarization of paper documents, and in-person electronic notarization all allowed; the notary must be physically in Montana; requires an approved technology-provider course and exam, then a Notary Public Information Update filed with SOS; all sessions recorded