How To become Notary Public in Indiana

The Indiana Notary Process

Are you interested in becoming an Indiana notary? Are you interested in generating extra income, starting your own Indiana notary business, adding a notary title to your resume, or helping people in your community? The State of Indiana appoints notaries to serve the public as unbiased impartial witnesses to document signing. Becoming a notary in Indiana is a straightforward process, and as long as you meet the eligibility requirements listed below, you can apply to become an Indiana notary. The American Association of Notaries has been helping individuals become notaries since 1994.

This guide will help to understand:

Who can become an Indiana Notary?
How to become an Indiana notary
Notarial duties in Indiana

What are the requirements to become an Indiana notary public?

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

At least 18 years old
You must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident.
Indiana residents or primary employees are eligible.
You are not disqualified from receiving a commission below IC 33-42-13.
All educational needs will be met
You have passed the exam described in IC33-42-12-2.

How do you become an Indiana notary public?

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

You must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the previous section.
Get an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record.
You can obtain a notary bail in the amount of $25,000. A notary bond in the amount of $25,000. (An electronic copy must be submitted to the Indiana Secretary of State within thirty days of the bond’s effective date.
Learn notary education.
Pass the examination administered by the Secretary of State.
Complete an electronic request and include all information requested by the Secretary.
$75 non-refundable application fee
Send an electronic signature sample (e-signature) to the Secretary of States
Take an Oath of Office, and follow any other requirements set forth by the Secretary of States.

Is it possible for a non-resident to become a notary public in Indiana?

Yes. Non-residents may apply for Indiana notary public status if they meet the following requirements: IC 33-42-12-1[b][3]. Non-residents must:

Indiana is your primary employment.
You must meet the same requirements as Indiana residents.
You can submit an electronic notary application. Follow the same process and procedures as Indiana residents.
Include the following information in your application: the mailing address of the employer, the county where the employment is located, and a written statement certifying employment on company letterhead (75 IAC7-2-1[c]).
Continue to keep his or her Indiana job.
If the notary is no longer primarily employed in Indiana, he or she should relinquish his/her Indiana notary public commission.

Non-resident notary public must notify Indiana Secretary of State within thirty days of any changes to information about the non-resident. Non-resident notaries must notify the Secretary at State within fourteen days of being resigned from primary employment in Indiana. To notify the Secretary of State to report a change, click here: https://inbiz.in.gov/certification/notary#verticalTab1.

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

The expenses of an Indiana notary may include:

To process an application to be appointed or reappointed as a notary public, there is a $75 filing fee
A $16.23 fee is required to obtain an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record.
The tuition for the first notary education course.
A $50 discount on a continuing education course that must be taken every 2 years.
A $25,000 notary surety bond.
A stamp is an official stamp.
If the notary wants to follow the recommendations of the Secretary of State to keep a journal of every notarial act, the price for a notary journal.
If a notary wants to purchase an E&O policy for personal protection, the fee will be charged.

How can I renew my Indiana notary license?

Indiana notaries public who wish to renew their notary public licenses can apply for reappointment no later than ninety days prior to the expiration date of their notary commissions. Notaries public applying to be reappointed must follow the same procedures and processes as for a new appointment, including:

Meet eligibility requirements
Get an Indiana State Police limited criminal history record.
Learn notary education.
Pass the Indiana Secretary Of State exam.
Get a notary bond for $25,000.
You can only submit an electronic application through the Secretary-of-State’s website.
$75 non-refundable application fee

A notary public may apply to renew his or her notary commission directly through the INBiz account or by visiting the Secretary of State website at https://inbiz.in.gov/certification/notary#verticalTab1.

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

Yes. All applicants, renewing notaries and new notaries who wish to be appointed or reappointed as Indiana notaries public must complete a continuing education program and pass the examination administered by the Secretary of State (IC33-42-12-2). After paying the application fee, both the education course and exam can be obtained. After completing the education course, all applicants must pass a 30-question exam consisting of true or false questions and multiple-choice questions. To pass, they must answer 24 questions correctly or get 80%. To maintain their notary public commissions, notaries must complete a minimum of two hours of continuing education each year (IC 33-42-12-2). $50.00 is the fee for the continuing education course. Over the eight-year term of an Indiana notary public, the notary must complete three continuing education classes, totaling $150.00. The Secretary of State will send reminders to Indiana notaries public at their records as soon as this legal requirement is met. The due date for continuing education courses is ninety days. The notary public may be subject to administrative action, including the suspension or revocation of their commission. INBiz offers a continuing education course. INBiz does not accept continuing education courses that were taken or completed outside of INBiz. Indiana notaries may find their continuing education due date at https://mylicense.in.gov/EVerification/Search.aspx. To complete the continuing education requirements, go to https://inbiz.in.gov/certification/notary#verticalTab4.

Can I do an electronic notarization in Indiana

Yes. Yes. Section 26-2-8110 of the Indiana Code says that “if a law requires that signatures be notarized,” an electronic signature is valid if the electronic record also includes the electronic signature of an Indiana notary public and all other information required in a notarization under other applicable laws. The Indiana Secretary-of-State has not published any rules regarding electronic notarizations.

How do you become an Indiana electronic notary public?

Indiana has not yet enacted electronic notarization laws in its state notary status. The Indiana Secretary of State also hasn’t published or published any regulations or standards or procedures that will allow Indiana notaries public perform electronic notarizations. Indiana notaries can perform electronic notarial acts without additional authorization from the Secretary of State. They do not need to be active notaries public in order to obtain this authorization. To perform electronic notarizations, there is no additional fee, surety or education course required.

Although remote notarizations are different from electronic notarizations there are some commonalities.

Electronic signatures can be used to sign the documents.
The technology system can be used to sign electronic records, just like remote notarization.
When performing an electronic notarization, the notary must physically be located in Indiana.
An electronic notary seal must be used by the notary.
After completing, electronically signing and attaching an electronic seal to the electronic certificate, the notary must use a virtual certificate to make the electronic notarized record tamper evident.

What is the best way to remote notarize in Indiana?

Yes. Yes. The Indiana Legislature passed House Bill 1487 (2019), which extended the effective date to July 1, 2020 or the date that the Indiana Secretary-of-State adopts regulations to implement remote online notarization provisions (IC 33-42-116-17). The regulations were adopted by the Secretary of State on March 31, 2020. Indiana notaries can perform remote online notarizations by using two-way audio and video communication technology that meets the Secretary of State’s standards for credential analysis, identity proofing, and other requirements.

How do you become an Indiana remote notary public online?

To be authorized to remote notarial acts online, a notary public must first apply to the Indiana Secretary-of-State. A notary public must have the following qualifications:

You must hold a current Indiana notary public commissioner with at least ninety-days remaining on your current notary commission term.
Complete the requirements for continuing education to become a notary public.
Completion of the remote notarization course to receive a passing score for the remote notary exam
Complete the remote notary request.
Electronically submit the remote notary application at https://inbiz.in.gov/certification/notary#verticalTab5.
$100 non-refundable application fee
A remote technology vendor must have been approved by the Secretary Of State.
The notary’s remote technology vendor will provide software that you can use.
Please describe the technology that the notary will use to remote notarize his or her application.
Please provide the URL and name of the vendor who will supply the technology that the notary uses to remote notarize the application.
Within thirty days of notary changing vendors or entering into contracts with another vendor, contact the Secretary of State. Failure to notify the Secretary may result in your remote notarization authorization being revoked or suspended.

A remote notarization authorization can be issued after approval by the Secretary. It is valid for one year from the date of authorization until the expiration of the current notary public commission. A notary must renew his or her notary public commission every year after the term ends to be eligible for a remote notary authorization. The qualifications and application to a subsequent authorization are identical to those for the initial remote notary authorization. For an up-to-date list of approved Remote Notary Technology Vendors, visit the Secretary of State website at https://inbiz.in.gov/certification/notary#verticalTab5. Visit their website for more information about vendor use.

What is the term of an Indiana notary public commission?

A Indiana notary public’s term of office is eight years, beginning on the date indicated in the notary commission. A notary public commission can be canceled:

Resignation, death or revocation.
A notary public who is not a citizen or resident in Indiana during his commission term.
A notary is no longer a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident.
Indiana is the only state where a notary public is not primarily employed.
Disqualification of a notary public pursuant to IC33-42-13.

To become an Indiana notary, do I need to have an Indiana notary bond?

Yes. All applicants for appointments as notaries public or renewing notaries public must provide an assurance, either in the form a surety bail or its functional equivalent in the amount $25,000 (IC 33-42-5-4). An assurance must be issued in the form of a surety bond or another entity authorized or licensed to do business within Indiana. It should guarantee the legal liability of a notary during the term of the notary’s appointment (IC 33-42-5-33). An applicant must verify that the surety provider is authorized to offer bonds in Indiana before purchasing a surety bail. The Secretary of State must receive an electronic copy of the assurance from applicants and/or renewing notaries no later than thirty calendar days after the assurance’s effective date. The Secretary of State must be notified by a surety of any payment made under a notary’s assurance within thirty days of issuing the payment to a claimant. An effective bond must be available for the duration of the commission. Visit us https://publicnotary.services/

What Indiana insurance do I need for notary errors and omissions?

No. In Indiana, an errors and omissions policy is not mandatory. E&O insurance is optional and not required for those who apply to be appointed or reappointed as notaries public. The American Association of Notaries and Indiana Secretary of State strongly recommend that Indiana notaries public have an errors and omissions policy to protect themselves against any liability. 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 who sue a notary public to recover. E&O policies typically cover legal fees and damages depending on what coverage is selected by an Indiana notary. Visit us https://publicnotary.services/

Where can I do notarial acts for Indiana?

A notary public in Indiana has statewide jurisdiction. He or she may perform notarial acts anywhere within Indiana’s geographic boundaries (IC 33-42-12-1[i]). A notary public in Indiana cannot perform notarial acts beyond Indiana.

Who appoints Indiana public notaries?

The Governor appoints public notaries (IC 33-42-9-1). The Indiana Secretary of State is responsible for receiving applications to be appointed and reappointed as notaries public. He also administers the commissioning process and maintains an electronic list of remote and active notaries. The following information can be used to contact the Indiana Secretary-of-State:

Indiana Secretary of State

Division of Business Services

Notary Department

302 W. Washington Street. Room E-018

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 234-97668

Email: Notary@sos.in

What do I need to buy a notary stamp for Indiana?

Yes. Yes. According to Indiana’s notary statute, all notaries public must affix, display or emboss their official seal in order to authenticate notarial acts (IC33-42-9-12[b][1].

Essential ElementsThe following must be included in the official seal of an Indiana notary Public:

The words “Notary Public”
The words “State Indiana”
The word “Seal”
Name of the notary public exactly how it appears on the commission certificate.
The world’s “commission number” should be followed by the number of the notary public.
The expiration date for the notary public’s Commission is followed by the word “my commission expires”.

Notice:Clear and legible notary stamps or embosser seals must be able to be photographed together with the record it is attached, attached or associated.

To notarize electronically in Indiana, do I need an electronic notary stamp?

Yes. Yes. According to Indiana’s notary statute, an official seal can also be an electronic image attached to or associated as part of an electronic record (IC33-42-0.5-21). Section 33-42-5-13 outlines the legal requirements for an electronic seal issued by a notary public.

Essential ElementsInformation that is electronically sealed means:

This applies only to a particular notary public.
Attached to or associated with an electronic notarized record, and includes:

The words “Notary Public” are used.
The words “State Indiana” are used.
The word “Seal” is the key.
The notary public’s name as it appears on the commission certificate.
The words “commission number” should be followed by the number of the notary public.
The expiration date for the notary public’s Commission is followed by the word “my commission expires”.

Notice:The security of the stamping devices used in electronic notarial acts is the responsibility of the notary. No other person may use the stamping device (IC33-42-10-3). A state notary statute states that an electronic notarial certificate bearing the electronic seal of a notarial officer constitutes presumptive evidence for the facts stated in cases where the officer is authorized to do so. Section 33-42-9-12[I] says that no changes or corrections can be made to an official seal.

Is Indiana required to keep a notary book?

No. No. Although a notary journal does not have to be kept by the state, the Indiana Secretary of States and the American Association of Notaries strongly recommend that Indiana notaries keep a journal of all their official notarial acts. This is in case they need to refer back to specific notarial acts or are challenged in court. American Association of Notaries recommends that Indiana notaries keep a permanent, bound journal with numbered pages. This will allow them to preserve a record of each notarial act as well as protect against claims of fraud and misconduct. A notary journal is an important tool to help Indiana notaries exercise reasonable care when performing their official acts. A notary public can have a record of all notarial acts to protect them in the event of a lawsuit. Visit us https://publicnotary.services/

What is the Indiana Notary’s fee for performing notarial acts

Indiana’s notary fees are determined by the state statute (IC33-42-14-1). The maximum fees that a notary public can charge are as follows:

Take an acknowledgement – $10
Tendency to administer an affirmation or oath – $10
Witnessing or attesting to a signature – $10
Take a verification under oath/affirmation – $10
Attesting or certifying a copy – $10
Remote Notarization – $25

Notification: A notary public must provide a list of fees for any notarial acts. Private agreements are not applicable to notarial acts performed in the course of the notary’s work or that don’t require record keeping. For traveling to perform notarial acts, a notary public can charge a reasonable travel fee. The federal travel fee set by the United States General Services Administration (IC33-42-14-1[e]) may not be exceeded. Notaries should notify clients in advance about any additional fees beyond the $10.00 per notarization fee.

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

A Indiana notary public can perform the following notarial acts in respect of a tangible or electronic record:

Recognize the acknowledgment.
Affirmation or oath to be administered
Take a verification under oath.
Witnessing or attesting to a signature
Attesting or certifying the copy of (a), a tangible record or (b), an electronic record.
Noting a protest against a negotiable document.
Any other act that is authorized by common law, or the customary merchants.

How can I change my address to my Indiana notary commissioner?

Notary publics in Indiana must notify the Secretary-of-State within thirty days of any changes to the following information (IC 33-42-13-2an).

Name
Mailing address
Your personal electronic mail address.
Telephone number for personal use
Address, phone number, and name of the employer.

A notary public must report the change to the Secretary of State through the online service by selecting “License Update” from the following link: https://inbiz.in.gov/certification/notary#verticalTab1.

What do I need to do to update my Indiana notary commission name?

Notary public in Indiana must notify the Secretary-of-State within thirty days of any changes to information that are associated with the notary (IC33-42-12-3an). Upon any changes to the notary’s information, the Indiana Secretary-of-State must receive the following documents:

A notary public’s surety issued a rider or another record that reflects the name change.
A sample of the new official signature signed by the notary.
To change the name or issue a notary certificate with the new name, a filing fee of $8.67 is required.

Where To Work As a Notary in Indiana

You can work in many settings as a public notary in Indiana. 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 Indiana

We work with notaries all over Indiana 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: