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Who Needs a Notary Bond?

Who needs a notary bond: anyone seeking or renewing a notary commission in a bond state. Requirement triggers, exemptions, and where to check your state.

Who needs a notary bond?

Anyone applying for or renewing a notary public commission in a state that requires a bond needs a notary bond, and most states do. The bond is filed with the commissioning office, usually the secretary of state, before the commission is issued.

Who typically needs this bond

  • First-time notary applicants in states that condition the commission on a filed bond
  • Commissioned notaries renewing for a new term, since the bond typically runs with the commission term
  • Employees whose employer requires them to hold a commission, such as bank, title, and law-office staff (the bond is still in the individual notary's name)
  • Mobile and remote online notaries, who generally carry the same commission bond as any other notary in their state

What triggers the requirement

  • Applying for a new notary commission in a bond state
  • Renewing a commission at the end of its term, typically every four years
  • Reinstating a commission after a lapse, which usually restarts the bond requirement

Common exemptions

  • Notaries in states that do not require a commission bond at all; the commissioning office's checklist is the authority
  • Attorneys in a small number of states that exempt licensed attorneys from the bond, where the exemption is written into the statute

What the bond does, and does not, cover

A notary bond protects the people who rely on your notarizations. If a notary's error or misconduct causes a loss, the injured party can claim against the bond, and the notary must reimburse the surety for anything it pays. It is not errors and omissions insurance for the notary; many notaries carry a separate E&O policy for their own protection.

What it typically costs

Notary bonds are among the least expensive surety bonds. Bond amounts commonly run 5,000 to 25,000 dollars depending on the state, and the premium is typically a small flat fee of roughly 30 to 100 dollars for the full commission term, usually four years. Credit rarely affects notary bond pricing because most states use flat-rate filed forms.

State requirements vary

Each state sets its own bond amount, term, and filing office, and a handful of states require no bond at all. Amounts are set by statute, so never rely on another state's figure. The commissioning office's current checklist is the authority for your state.

State requirements

Each state sets its own amount and filing rules. See the state-specific requirement pages:

Frequently asked questions

Do all states require a notary bond?
No. Most states require one, but a meaningful minority do not. The commissioning office in your state, usually the secretary of state, publishes the current requirement and amount.
Does my employer's bond cover my notary commission?
No. The notary bond is filed in the individual notary's name with the commissioning office, even when an employer pays for it and requires the commission.
Is a notary bond the same as notary E&O insurance?
No. The bond protects the public and must be repaid by the notary if a claim is paid. E&O insurance protects the notary and is optional in most states.

This page describes how the requirement typically works. Whether a specific business or appointment needs the bond is set by the obligee, statute, or court order that applies to you, so confirm against the current requirement before relying on it.

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Last reviewed 2026-07-29.