How to become a notary in Utah
Eligibility, an exam, a $5,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor – Notary Office.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Must lawfully reside in Utah, or be employed in Utah, for at least 30 days before applying, and keep that residency or employment while commissioned; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act); Must be able to read, write and understand English. You must disclose past crimes, and you may upload a written explanation with your application.
- Pass the notary exam — You take an online exam in the state application portal (notaryapplication.utah.gov). The $95 total ($55 application/administration + $40 test) is paid after the test and results appear right away. Each retake within 30 days of the first attempt costs $40; after 30 days you pay the full $95 again. Fees are non-refundable.
- Buy a $5,000 surety bond — 4-year $5,000 notarial bond from a licensed surety, filed with the Lieutenant Governor. The name must match the application and you must sign the bond as principal. The state estimates about $50. Remote notaries need $10,000 of bond coverage in total (a rider on the existing bond or a separate $5,000 bond).
- Complete the background check — Mandatory background check for all applicants since November 1, 2019, run through another state agency. Applicants are not notified of the result and should keep going with the bond and oath without waiting.
- Apply to the Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor – Notary Office — Pay the $95 state fee. Other fees: The $95 state total is a $55 application fee plus a $40 test fee. Retakes cost $40 each within 30 days. Bond about $50 from the surety. Stamp about $25 from a vendor. The background check is mandatory, but the official pages list no separate fee for it. Remote notary application: $50.
- Take the oath and file it — Get the Oath of Office notarized (it usually comes with the bond), then upload the signed bond and the notarized oath to the application portal. There is no final submit button. The Certificate of Authority is emailed once the application is processed.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required. A purple-ink, photographically reproducible rectangular seal no larger than 1 x 2.5 inches. It must show your name exactly as commissioned, the words "notary public", "state of Utah" and "my commission expires on (date)", your commission number and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the state. Buy a new seal with each new commission or name change. Remote seals are rendered in black. Journal: Required (for notaries commissioned or renewed on or after May 6, 2026; keep for 10 years; remote notaries keep a secure 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 Utah's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Utah notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor – Notary Office |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Must lawfully reside in Utah, or be employed in Utah, for at least 30 days before applying, and keep that residency or employment while commissioned; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act) |
| Course | Not required No course is required. The Lieutenant Governor publishes an official Study Guide, a 2026 Study Guide Supplement and a Notary Journal guide to prepare for the exam. |
| Exam | Required You take an online exam in the state application portal (notaryapplication.utah.gov). The $95 total ($55 application/administration + $40 test) is paid after the test and results appear right away. Each retake within 30 days of the first attempt costs $40; after 30 days you pay the full $95 again. Fees are non-refundable. |
| State fee | $95 |
| Other fees | The $95 state total is a $55 application fee plus a $40 test fee. Retakes cost $40 each within 30 days. Bond about $50 from the surety. Stamp about $25 from a vendor. The background check is mandatory, but the official pages list no separate fee for it. Remote notary application: $50. |
| Surety bond | $5,000 4-year $5,000 notarial bond from a licensed surety, filed with the Lieutenant Governor. The name must match the application and you must sign the bond as principal. The state estimates about $50. Remote notaries need $10,000 of bond coverage in total (a rider on the existing bond or a separate $5,000 bond). |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | Mandatory background check for all applicants since November 1, 2019, run through another state agency. Applicants are not notified of the result and should keep going with the bond and oath without waiting. |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Get the Oath of Office notarized (it usually comes with the bond), then upload the signed bond and the notarized oath to the application portal. There is no final submit button. The Certificate of Authority is emailed once the application is processed. |
| Seal | Required. A purple-ink, photographically reproducible rectangular seal no larger than 1 x 2.5 inches. It must show your name exactly as commissioned, the words "notary public", "state of Utah" and "my commission expires on (date)", your commission number and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the state. Buy a new seal with each new commission or name change. Remote seals are rendered in black. |
| Journal | Required (for notaries commissioned or renewed on or after May 6, 2026; keep for 10 years; remote notaries keep a secure electronic journal) |
| Max fee per notarization | $10 per acknowledgment signature, jurat signature, oath/affirmation (per person), signature witnessing, or certified-copy page; $25 per act performed as part of a remote notarization; optional travel fee up to the federal mileage rate if disclosed |
| Remote online notary | Allowed You need a current Utah commission and a contract with an approved RON vendor. Submit a notarized Remote Online Notary Oath, proof of $10,000 bond coverage and a PDF of your electronic signature and seal. The fee is $50, payable after review. You must reapply each time you renew your notary commission. |
| Renewal | A renewal is a new application in the portal: link your current commission, then start the new application within 90 days before expiration. The notary page lists the exam and background check among the qualifications for all applicants. |
S.B. 139 (effective May 6, 2026) requires a journal for new and renewing notaries. It also requires unexpired ID, allows credible witnesses who know the signer personally, adds a journal inspection process and makes unauthorized use of a notary seal or journal a crime. A new application system went live September 15–16, 2026, and incomplete applications from the old system must be restarted. Notaries employed by an attorney, law firm or title agency do not have to journal notarizations they perform for their job.
Sources: Utah Notary – Process and Qualifications · Utah Notary – FAQs (costs) · Utah Notary – Remote Online Notary application process · S.B. 139 Notary Amendments – Updates and Guidance (Apr 2026) · S.B. 139 enrolled bill (2026). 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 Utah 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 Utah licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Utah insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Utah?
The state fee is $95, plus The $95 state total is a $55 application fee plus a $40 test fee. Retakes cost $40 each within 30 days. Bond about $50 from the surety. Stamp about $25 from a vendor. The background check is mandatory, but the official pages list no separate fee for it. Remote notary application: $50.. Add the premium for the $5,000 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Utah?
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 Utah?
Utah requires an exam, a $5,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Utah?
$10 per acknowledgment signature, jurat signature, oath/affirmation (per person), signature witnessing, or certified-copy page; $25 per act performed as part of a remote notarization; optional travel fee up to the federal mileage rate if disclosed.
Can I be an online notary in Utah?
Yes. You need a current Utah commission and a contract with an approved RON vendor. Submit a notarized Remote Online Notary Oath, proof of $10,000 bond coverage and a PDF of your electronic signature and seal. The fee is $50, payable after review. You must reapply each time you renew your notary commission.