How To become Notary Public in Idaho

The Idaho Notary Process

Are you interested in becoming an Idaho notary? Are you looking to make extra money, start your own Idaho notary company, add a notary title on your resume, and help people in your local community? Idaho appoints notaries as impartial witnesses and witnesses to document signing. It is easy to become an Idaho notary. As long as you meet all the eligibility requirements, you are eligible to apply. Since 1994, the American Association of Notaries assists individuals in becoming notaries.

This guide will help to understand:

Who can become an Idaho notary?
How to become an Idaho notary
Notary services in Idaho

What are the requirements to become an Idaho notary public?

To become an Idaho notary public, a notary applicant must meet the following requirements:

At least 18 years of age
You can be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident.
Idaho residents or those who have Idaho-based employment or practice opportunities are eligible to apply.
Learn to read and write
You are not disqualified from receiving a commission under Idaho Code SS51-123.

How do you become an Idaho notary public?

To become an Idaho notary public and receive an Idaho notary public commission, a notary applicant must:

You must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the previous section.
Get a notary bond for $10,000
To access a notary public application, create a user account on the Idaho SOSbiz and log in.
Complete the Notary Public Application Form Print it online and have it notarized.
Send the bond and notarized application form along with the $30.00 filing fee to the Secretary of the State. You can mail or deliver it by hand.
Purchase an official stamping device (notary certificate) after you have received the Notary Certificate.
Employees of the state whose filing fee has been paid by their department need to arrange for an inter-unit journal (IUJ), to be issued before submitting documents to the Secretary for State’s office. Click here for more information about commissioning.https://sos.idaho.gov/notary/.

Notice:Idaho State employees do not have to pay the $30 application fee.

Is it possible for a non-resident to become a notary in Idaho

Yes. Non-residents may apply for Idaho notary public status if they meet the following conditions:

Idaho has a number of places of employment and practice.
You must meet the same requirements as Idaho residents.
You will need to apply for an appointment as a notary public. The same process applies as Idaho residents.
Maintain a permanent place of employment or practice in Idaho.
If the nonresident is no longer employed or has a practice location in Idaho, the notary public commission can be rescinded.

What is the cost of becoming a notary public in Idaho?

Idaho Notary applicants may have to pay the following expenses: (1) $30 filing fee for processing an appointment or reappointment application; (2) $10,000 surety bonds; (3) notary stamps; (4) notary journals as recommended by Idaho Secretary of State; (5) E&O insurance policies if the notary wants one for personal protection from liability.

How can I renew my Idaho notary license?

Idaho notaries public who wish to renew their traditional notary Public commissions can apply for reappointment as public notaries no later than ninety day prior to expiration of their notary terms. Reappointed notaries public must apply the same procedures and processes as for a new appointment as a notary general. The process includes (1) filling out an online notary public form, having it printed, and having it notarized. (2) obtaining a $10,000 surety bond; (3) submitting the bond, notarized application, to the Secretary. (4) paying the $30 filing fee. The Idaho Secretary of state will not send renewal reminders to notaries. If they have an existing rubber stamp seal, notaries don’t need to apply for a new one.

Is there any exam or notary course required to be an Idaho notary public?

No. No. The Idaho Secretary of State must offer a course of study every other day to applicants, regardless of whether they hold a commission as Idaho notaries public. This is in accordance with Section 51-122 of Idaho Code. The Secretary of State offers an online “Idaho Notary Training Course” to all Idaho notaries public, free of charge, in order to fulfill this legal requirement. Six chapters are included in this online notary training course, along with video study guides and optional quizzes about Idaho Notary requirements, procedures, and processes.

Can I do an electronic notarization in Idaho

Yes. Yes. A notary public must notify the Secretary to State before performing the initial notarial act in respect of an electronic record. The Secretary of State will issue an authorisation certificate that identifies the technology the notary has chosen to use for electronic notarizations.

The Idaho notary statute also requires that the document signer must appear in person before the notary public. This means that they must be physically present enough to communicate with the notary and see, hear and communicate the identity credentials. No electronic devices such as a phone, computer, video camera or facsimile machine will be used at the time of notarization. The same rules, regulations, standards, and practices that are applicable to traditional paper notarizations also apply to electronic signed documents. This includes, but is not limited to, the requirement for the document signer to appear in person before the notary public. The electronic seal of the notary must replicate the elements of the official seal. An individual may not ask a notary public for a notarial function if the electronic record is not recorded using a technology the notary has chosen. To download the Authorization for Electronic Notarization form, or visit the Secretary of State’s website at: https://sos.idaho.gov/notary/instructions.html.

Can I do remote (online) notarizations here in Idaho

Yes. Yes. Section 51-114A permits a notary public to communicate with a remote individual simultaneously using sight and sound communication technology.

How do you become an Idaho online notary public

Notary publics must inform the Secretary of State before they perform their first remote notarization online. If the Secretary has established standards for identity proofing and approval of communication technology, then the notary’s communication technology must comply with those standards. The Secretary of State has not issued regulations by rulemaking to comply with the statutory provisions in Senate Bill 1111.

Remote notarizations via an approved communication medium require a notary public to perform:

You must be physically located within Idaho. Remotely located individuals may reside in any country or state, but they must be physically present in the presence the notary public via an interactive two-way audio/video communication.
Two types of identity proofing are required to establish the identity of the remote individual.
You can reasonably confirm that the record before the notary is the same record on which the remote individual signed a signature or made a statement.
To remote notarize an individual remotely, complete a notarial certification.
In the notarial certificate, add the language that indicates the notarial act was performed by communication technology for a remote individual.
A short-form certificate is used to document a notarial action using communication technology for a remote individual. It is sufficient if it complies with the rules adopted by the Secretary of State, or is in the format provided in IC SS51116. It contains a statement substantially like this: “This notarial act involves the use of communication technology.”
Record the notarial act of a distant individual on audio-visual tape and keep it for at least ten year.
You must take reasonable precautions to protect the audio and video communication used for remote online notarization from unauthorised interception.
Attach the remote notary’s electronic signatures and seals to the electronic certificate for an electronic document in such a way that it is independently verifiable and makes any subsequent modification or change to the electronic document obvious.

A notary public can also perform a notarial act by using communication technology for a remote individual located outside the United States. This is if the record: (1) is to file with or relate to a matter before any public official, court, governmental entity or entity subject to the United States jurisdiction; or (b), involves property located within the territorial jurisdiction of America or involves a transaction substantially related to the United States; and (c). The act of signing or making the statement is not prohibited in the foreign country in which the distant individual

What is the term of an Idaho notary public commission?

A notary public in Idaho is elected for six years, starting at the date indicated on the commission. A notary’s commission can be canceled by resignation, death, revocation, (4) when a person is not a resident of Idaho, (5) when a person is not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States and (6) when a person is disqualified under Idaho Code SS51-123.

To become a Idaho notary, do I need an Idaho notary bond?

Yes. All applicants for notary public positions and renewals of notaries public must have an assurance in the form of a surety bond, or the functional equivalent in $10,000. If the applicant is employed in the state’s scope of employment, the assurance must be issued either by a surety company or another entity authorized or licensed to do business in Idaho. The Secretary of State requires that the assurance cover acts that were performed during the term for the notary public’s commissioner. The Secretary of State must be notified by the surety or issuing organization of any payment made under a notary’s assurance within thirty days of issuing the payment to a claimant. Before cancelling an assurance, the surety or issuing entities must notify the Secretary of State within thirty days.

What Idaho notary errors or omissions insurance do I need?

Idaho does not require an errors and omissions policy. For their protection against liability, the American Association of Notaries strongly suggests that Idaho notaries purchase an errors and omissions policy. The purpose of errors and omissions insurance protects notaries against liability for notarial errors or omissions that may result in financial loss to the public, or clients for which a notary is sued for recovery. E&O policies typically cover legal fees and damages depending on what coverage is selected by an Idaho notary.

Where can I do notarial acts here in Idaho?

A notary public in Idaho has statewide jurisdiction. He or she may perform notarial acts anywhere within the geographical boundaries of Idaho. A notary public from Idaho cannot perform notarial acts in Idaho.

Who appoints Idaho’s public notaries?

The Idaho Secretary of States appoints notaries public and receives applications for reappointment and appointment as a notary public. He also administers the commissioning process and maintains an electronic database with active notaries and electronic notaries.

Contact information for Secretary of State:

Mailing address

Idaho Secretary of State

Notary Department

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 83720-0080

Address physical:

Idaho Secretary of State

Notary Department

450 N. 4th Street

Boise, ID 83702

(208) 332-2849, (208) 334-2300

What do I need to buy an Idaho notary stamp?

Yes. All Idaho notaries public must use an inked stamp (IC SS51-117) to authenticate their notarial acts. This is required by the Idaho notary statute. Section 51-117 in the Idaho Code outlines the legal requirements for the layout of official stamps and the information they must contain.

DimensionsOfficial stamps may not exceed 1.75 inches in diameter.

In diameter or a rectangular shape not exceeding 2.25 inches by 1.25 inches in length. Official stamps must have a border of serrated or milled edges.

Essential ElementsThese elements must be included in the official stamp:

Name of the notary public
The words “Notary Public”
The words “State Idaho”
Number of the notary state-issued commission

The notary may add the words “my Commission Expires” to the stamp if they wish. This is followed by the current expiration date of the notary’s commission.

Notice:The notary seal cannot contain any other information or graphics. The official stamp must also be legible, clear, and capable of being photographed.

Idaho requires a notary journal.

No. No. The Secretary of State suggests that Idaho notaries keep a journal to record their notarial acts for their protection against liability. American Association of Notaries encourages Idaho notaries to keep a permanent, bound journal with numbered pages. This is to prevent fraud. The notary can keep a record of each notarial act by keeping a chronological record. As a precaution against liability, the notary may also choose to keep a permanent, tamper evident electronic journal.

What is the maximum Idaho notary fee for performing notarial acts

Idaho’s state notary statute (IC SS51-133) sets the fees. Below is a list of the maximum fees an Idaho notary public can charge for notarial services.

Take an acknowledgement – $5
Administering an affirmation or oath – $5
Take a verification of affirmation or oath – $5
Attesting or witnessing a signature – $5
Attesting or certifying a copy – $5
Protest of a negotiable Instrument – $5

Notice:A notary public can be reimbursed for travel expenses to perform the notarial act. An employer may not require a notary public to pay a fee or part thereof. However, an employer can prohibit a notary public from charging a fee to perform a notarial act within the scope of his employment.” (IC SS51-133[3]).

What notarial acts is an Idaho notary public allowed to perform?

The following notarial acts are authorized for an Idaho notary public:

Receipt and acknowledgement
Affirmation or oath to be administered
Take a verification under oath or affirmation
Attesting to or witnessing a signature
Attesting or certifying a copy
Note: Protest of a negotiable Instrument

How can I change my address to my Idaho notary commission?

If the residence of a notary public changes during his or her term, he or she must notify the Secretary of State by sending (1) a written notice; (2) a completed Notary Change Form; and (3) a $5 filing fee if the physical address has changed. A mailing address change is free.

What do I need to do to update my Idaho notary commission?

If the name of a notary public changes during their term, they must notify the Secretary of State in writing. To do this, complete the Notary Change form and pay a $5 filing fee. A revised Certificate of Commission will be issued to the notary public, which can then be used to purchase a new notary stamp.

Where To Work As a Notary in Idaho

You can work in many settings as a public notary in Idaho. Whether you decide to work for a law firm, real estate agency or a government job, there are many options available. You can also work for yourself as a mobile notary.

Where To Find Clients in Idaho

We work with notaries all over Idaho to help them find more business and make more money. If you would like to join our notary network, contact us today for more information. We work with notaries in all cities including:

Notary Public FAQs

What are the eligibility requirements to become a Notary Public in Idaho?

To become a Notary Public in Idaho, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Idaho, and have no felony convictions or convictions related to dishonesty. Additionally, you should be able to read and write in English. It’s essential to meet these criteria before applying for a notary commission.

How do I apply to become a Notary Public in Idaho?

To apply for a Notary Public commission in Idaho, you’ll need to complete an application, pay the required fees, and provide a surety bond. The application forms are available from the Idaho Secretary of State’s website. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your Notary commission, and you’ll be required to take an oath of office.

What are the responsibilities and duties of a Notary Public in Idaho?

Notaries in Idaho have important responsibilities. They are authorized to witness and certify signatures on various legal documents, administer oaths, and verify the identity of individuals signing documents. Notaries are also required to keep a journal of their notarial acts. It’s crucial to understand and follow the laws and guidelines that govern notary public services in Idaho to perform your duties effectively and ethically.