How to Become a Notary Public

A notary public must:

• Have the qualifications of an elector as to age and residence; or
• Reside in a county that borders North Dakota and which is in a state that extends reciprocity to a notary public who resides in a bordering county of North Dakota. (If the person resides in a county bordering North Dakota, that person must designate the Secretary of State as the agent for service of process, for all purposes relating to notarial acts, including the receipt of correspondence relating to notarial acts.)

To process a notary commission the following needs to be completed and submitted to the Secretary of State:

• A Notary Application (SFN 11001) (125kb pdf) in the notary's legal name in which you will be notarizing documents. The application will require the applicant to sign an affidavit of qualification and take an oath of office in front of a commissioned notary public.
  A Notary Bond (SFN 19355) (73kb pdf) in the penal sum of $7,500.00 (seven thousand five hundred dollars) conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office.
• The $36.00 filing fee must be made payable to the Secretary of State. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are also accepted.
• If the applicant resides in a county that borders North Dakota and which is in a state that extends reciprocity to a notary public who resides in a border county of North Dakota. An Appointment of Agent (SFN 19369) (62kb pdf) is required.

When all of the above requirements are complete and correct, the applicant will be issued a certificate of authorization which allows them to obtain a seal/stamp from the vendor of their choice.

After the applicant obtains their seal/stamp, an impression of the seal/stamp must be affixed to the certificate of authorization and returned to the Secretary of State’s office. After the certificate is received, approved, and filed, the Secretary of State will issue an official notary commission.

Under no circumstances may an applicant commence with the duties of the notary public until such time their official commission has been issued by the Secretary of State.