How to become a notary in North Dakota
Eligibility, a $7,500 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, North Dakota resident, OR has a place of employment or practice in North Dakota, OR lives in a county bordering North Dakota in a state that gives reciprocity to North Dakota border-county notaries; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; able to read and write English.
- Buy a $7,500 surety bond — $7,500 notary bond (form SFN 19355) from an insurance company of your choice, covering the 4-year term, submitted with the application.
- Apply to the North Dakota Secretary of State — Pay the $36 state fee. Other fees: Cost of the stamping device from a vendor; name change $10.
- Take the oath and file it — Sign the Notary Oath of Office in front of a notary and upload it with the FirstStop Portal application. After approval, SOS sends a Certificate of Authorization to buy a stamp; return an impression on the Verification of Notary Public Stamping Device form by the stated date; SOS then issues the commission certificate. You may not notarize before the commencement date on it.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: inked stamp bought only with SOS's Certificate of Authorization; "Notary Public", "State of North Dakota", name exactly as authorized, commission expiration date, border, nothing else; circle up to 1-5/8 in. or rectangle up to 7/8 x 2-5/8 in. Journal: Required for remote notarizations only (keep 10 years); recommended otherwise.
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 North Dakota's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
North Dakota notary requirements
| Commissioned by | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Who can apply | 18+ · North Dakota resident, OR has a place of employment or practice in North Dakota, OR lives in a county bordering North Dakota in a state that gives reciprocity to North Dakota border-county notaries |
| Course | Not required No education requirement |
| Exam | Not required No exam |
| State fee | $36 |
| Other fees | Cost of the stamping device from a vendor; name change $10 |
| Surety bond | $7,500 $7,500 notary bond (form SFN 19355) from an insurance company of your choice, covering the 4-year term, submitted with the application |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | None |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Sign the Notary Oath of Office in front of a notary and upload it with the FirstStop Portal application. After approval, SOS sends a Certificate of Authorization to buy a stamp; return an impression on the Verification of Notary Public Stamping Device form by the stated date; SOS then issues the commission certificate. You may not notarize before the commencement date on it |
| Seal | Required: inked stamp bought only with SOS's Certificate of Authorization; "Notary Public", "State of North Dakota", name exactly as authorized, commission expiration date, border, nothing else; circle up to 1-5/8 in. or rectangle up to 7/8 x 2-5/8 in. |
| Journal | Required for remote notarizations only (keep 10 years); recommended otherwise |
| Max fee per notarization | $5 per notarial act; a travel fee may be added if agreed in advance |
| Remote online notary | Allowed No separate commission: file a Notary Public Amendment in the FirstStop Portal naming your communication-technology provider. Both remote ink (RIN, acknowledgments only) and remote online (RON) notarization are allowed; record the audio-video session and keep the recording and journal 10 years (NDCC ch. 44-06.1) |
| Renewal | File a Notary Public Renewal in the FirstStop Portal with a new $7,500 bond, a new oath and the $36 fee; buy a new stamp with the new authorization; the old stamp may be used until the old commission expires |
You must notify SOS within 60 days of an address or name change; a name change needs a bond rider and a new stamp. Do not notarize your spouse's signature. Destroy the stamp when the commission ends
Sources: ND SOS – Become a Notary Public · ND SOS – Maintain Notary Commission · ND SOS – Performing Notarial Acts · ND SOS – Performing Electronic and Remote Notarizations · ND SOS – Notaries Public Info Sheet (fees). 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All North Dakota insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in North Dakota?
The state fee is $36, plus Cost of the stamping device from a vendor; name change $10. Add the premium for the $7,500 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in North Dakota?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires a $7,500 bond.
How much can a notary charge in North Dakota?
$5 per notarial act; a travel fee may be added if agreed in advance.
Can I be an online notary in North Dakota?
Yes. No separate commission: file a Notary Public Amendment in the FirstStop Portal naming your communication-technology provider. Both remote ink (RIN, acknowledgments only) and remote online (RON) notarization are allowed; record the audio-video session and keep the recording and journal 10 years (NDCC ch. 44-06.1)