How to become a notary in New Mexico
Eligibility, a course, an exam, a $10,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, New Mexico resident, or have a place of employment in New Mexico; Able to read and write English; no notary commission denied, suspended or revoked in another state; no felony or crime of fraud, dishonesty or deceit within the last 5 years; not otherwise disqualified under NMSA 14-14A-22 (RULONA).
- Take the required notary course — Mandatory NM notary education course from the SOS-approved provider (National Notary Association); the certificate of completion is uploaded with the application. Required for new and renewing notaries since June 16, 2023.
- Pass the notary exam — Exam taken with the course (National Notary Association), 80% to pass; course + exam fee of $30 is paid directly to the vendor. Renewing notaries who passed after 01/01/2022 don't retake it if the commission hasn't been expired more than one year.
- Buy a $10,000 surety bond — $10,000 surety bond (or functional equivalent) from a surety licensed or authorized in New Mexico; the applicant's signature on the bond must be notarized by another current NM notary; uploaded with the application.
- Apply to the New Mexico Secretary of State — Pay the $30 state fee. Other fees: $30 course/exam fee paid to the vendor; bond premium; stamp purchase; $75 remote online notary filing; $3 amendment (name/address/bond change).
- Take the oath and file it — Before filing, sign the Oath of Office before a current NM notarial officer (never notarize your own) and upload it with the application at enterprise.sos.nm.gov; within 45 days of approval buy the official stamp and file a Notary Public Stamp Registration, or the SOS must refer you to the State Ethics Commission.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: official stamp in 10-point font with 'State of New Mexico', 'Notary Public', the Great Seal of New Mexico, legal name exactly as on the Certificate of Commission, commission number and expiration date; registered with the SOS within 45 days. Journal: Required.
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 New Mexico's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
New Mexico notary requirements
| Commissioned by | New Mexico Secretary of State |
| Who can apply | 18+ · New Mexico resident, or have a place of employment in New Mexico |
| Course | Required Mandatory NM notary education course from the SOS-approved provider (National Notary Association); the certificate of completion is uploaded with the application. Required for new and renewing notaries since June 16, 2023 |
| Exam | Required Exam taken with the course (National Notary Association), 80% to pass; course + exam fee of $30 is paid directly to the vendor. Renewing notaries who passed after 01/01/2022 don't retake it if the commission hasn't been expired more than one year |
| State fee | $30 |
| Other fees | $30 course/exam fee paid to the vendor; bond premium; stamp purchase; $75 remote online notary filing; $3 amendment (name/address/bond change) |
| Surety bond | $10,000 $10,000 surety bond (or functional equivalent) from a surety licensed or authorized in New Mexico; the applicant's signature on the bond must be notarized by another current NM notary; uploaded with the application |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | None |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Before filing, sign the Oath of Office before a current NM notarial officer (never notarize your own) and upload it with the application at enterprise.sos.nm.gov; within 45 days of approval buy the official stamp and file a Notary Public Stamp Registration, or the SOS must refer you to the State Ethics Commission |
| Seal | Required: official stamp in 10-point font with 'State of New Mexico', 'Notary Public', the Great Seal of New Mexico, legal name exactly as on the Certificate of Commission, commission number and expiration date; registered with the SOS within 45 days |
| Journal | Required |
| Max fee per notarization | $5 per acknowledgment, $5 per jurat, $5 per oath/affirmation without signature; copy certification $0.50 per page ($5 minimum); travel fee if agreed in advance; technology fee up to $25 per electronic notarial act |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Remote Online Notary authorization: must be a commissioned NM notary (or automatic notarial officer), complete the separate RON course and exam (National Notary Association), file online with an electronic stamp, $75 filing fee; use an SOS-approved RON provider and be physically in New Mexico during the act |
| Renewal | Renew online at enterprise.sos.nm.gov any time before expiration (keeps the same month/day; SOS sends a notice one month before); $30 fee; file a new stamp registration within 45 days; a lapsed renewal gets a new expiration date verify |
Journal of every notarial act must be kept for 10 years after the last entry. NM judges, NM-licensed attorneys, court clerks, county clerks and SOS staff are 'automatic notarial officers' who only take the course/exam and register a stamp (no fee). Bills to raise the $5 fee caps (HB 263 in 2024: $10; SB 230 in 2025: $12 and $60 technology fee) were introduced; the SOS handbook (Oct 2023) still shows $5 and no enactment was found (fee status unverified for 2026)
Sources: NM SOS – Become a Notary · NM SOS – Notary Handbook (Oct 2023) · NM SOS – RULONA FAQs · NM SOS – Training Resources · NM SOS – Become a Remote Online Notary. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All New Mexico insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in New Mexico?
The state fee is $30, plus $30 course/exam fee paid to the vendor; bond premium; stamp purchase; $75 remote online notary filing; $3 amendment (name/address/bond change). 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 New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
New Mexico requires a course, an exam, a $10,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in New Mexico?
$5 per acknowledgment, $5 per jurat, $5 per oath/affirmation without signature; copy certification $0.50 per page ($5 minimum); travel fee if agreed in advance; technology fee up to $25 per electronic notarial act.
Can I be an online notary in New Mexico?
Yes. Remote Online Notary authorization: must be a commissioned NM notary (or automatic notarial officer), complete the separate RON course and exam (National Notary Association), file online with an electronic stamp, $75 filing fee; use an SOS-approved RON provider and be physically in New Mexico during the act