How To become Notary Public in Missouri

The Missouri Notary Process

Are you interested in being a Missouri notary public? Are you looking to make extra money, start your own Missouri notary company, add a notary title on your resume, and help people in your local community? Missouri appoints notaries as impartial witnesses and impartial witnesses for document signing. It is easy to become a Missouri 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 a Missouri Notary?
How to become a Missouri notary
Basic Missouri notarial duties

What are the requirements to become a Missouri notary public?

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

At least 18 years old
Missouri residents or permanent addresses should have a place of business or work.
Legally reside in the United States.
Learn English and how to write it.
Pass the Section 486.630 exam.
In the five years since his appointment, he has not had his commission revoked.
In a criminal prosecution under any law of any state or the United States, not have been found guilty or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for any felony or any offense that involved dishonesty or moral turpitude within the last five years.

How do you become a Missouri notary public?

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

You must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the previous section.
Read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook.
Complete a state approved online notary training course or take a written notary training course provided by the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.
You can either fill out the online “Application to a Commission as a Notary Public” form or send the completed application via mail to the Secretary. (The online application must include either the State-approved notary training certificate or the Secretary of State’s completed notary training form.
The $25 application filing fee must be paid.
Purchase a $10,000 Missouri notary bonds
Present a $10,000 surety guarantee, present the required documentation, and appear in person before the deputy or county clerk of the county where the individual was commissioned. The notary public will be presented with the commission certificate by the deputy or county clerk. The clerk will then attach the bond to the oath and signature filing, and mail them to the Missouri Secretary Of State.

Important Note:The county clerk shall mark a notary public as unqualified if he fails to meet the requirements within ninety-days of the date the commission was issued. Within fifteen days, the Commission shall be returned to the Secretary of State. A notary public who does not qualify within the ninety day time frame may have to reapply for a commission.

Is it possible for a Missouri non-resident to become a Missouri notary?

Yes. Non-residents of Missouri can apply for a Missouri notary commission. To be eligible, a non-resident must comply with certain legal requirements:

At least 18 years old
Missouri: Work here and use the notary stamp in the course of your Missouri employment.
A work address is required in the county where the applicant wants to be commissioned.
Learn English to read and write.
Pass the Section 486.630 exam.
In the last five years, no state has had any commission removed.
In a criminal prosecution under any law of any state or the United States for any felony, or any offense involving dishonesty and moral turpitude within the last five years, not have been found guilty or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
Authorize the Missouri Secretary Of State to act as his or her agent or representative and accept service of any process, notice or demand that is required or allowed by law.

Notice:A person can apply for a commission to be a notary public if they are a permanent resident alien as defined in Section 245 of The Immigration and Nationality Act. The applicant who qualifies under Section 245 must submit a copy of their “green card” along with a completed application. A Missouri resident can immediately appoint and commission a non-resident Missouri notary public if the applicant is a legal resident. Non-resident notary publics must return their non-resident commission certificate along with a request for resignation, proof of training, as well as the $25 fee to issue another commission. Visit the Missouri Secretary Of State’s website to apply for a nonresident notary public Commission.Website.

What is the cost of becoming a Missouri notary?

The following expenses can be incurred by a Missouri notary:

Application for appointment as a notary public or reappointment requires payment of $25
A $10,000 surety bond costs.
The Secretary of State has approved the fee for online courses of study.
The cost of a notary stamp.
A notary journal is cost-effective.
If a notary wants to purchase an E&O policy for personal protection, the fee will be charged.

How can I renew my Missouri notary license?

The Missouri notary statute does not contain any statutory provisions for renewals. Missouri notaries may renew their notary public commissions up to six weeks before the expiration of their current commissions. A person cannot be reappointed as notary public automatically. The same procedure must be followed by the notary public for re-appointment as the original application. The notary public must follow the following steps to renew their commission:

You must meet the requirements to become a notary public.
Check out the Missouri Notary Public Handbook.
When the term for the current notary public commission expires, you can retake the Online Notary Training Course and the Written Notary Training Course.
Send a completed and signed Application for a Commission to a Notary Public.
Pay $25 application filing fee
Buy a notary bond.
Qualify at the office of the county clerk in the county where the individual was commissioned.
Personal information should be updated on the notary’s application.
Buy a new official notary seal and the new notary public commissioner.

Is there any exam or notary course required to become a Missouri Notary Public or renew my Missouri Notary Public Commission?

Yes. Yes. The notarial laws and procedures and ethics are the foundation of the online course and the basis for writing the examination required by Section 486.630.

What is the best way to electronically notarize in Missouri?

Yes. Yes. The Missouri 100th General Assembly (2020), passed House Bill 1655. This provision authorizes a notary public, subject to electronic documents, to perform notarial acts. (RSMo SSSSS486.900 – 486.1010) House Bill 1655 was signed July 6, 2020 by the Governor and became effective August 28, 2020. The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (RSMo Chapter 422) was also adopted by the Governor on July 6, 2020 and became effective August 28, 2020. Section 486.925 says, “The following notarial actions may be performed electronically”: (1) Acknowledgment, (2) Jurat, (3) Signature witnessing, and (4) Copy certificate. The Missouri Secretary of State also adopted administrative rules in Title 15, Division 30, Chapter 110, “Notary use of electronic signatures and seals,” which are based on the Missouri Code of State Regulations. Before performing electronic notarial actions, a person must first apply to become a commissioned notary publicly and then register as an electronic secretary publicly with the Secretary.

How do you become an electronic notary public in Missouri?

Before an individual can perform the first electronic notarial act in relation to an electronic document, they must:

You can be commissioned as a Missouri notary.
Read the Missouri Notary Public Handbook.
Completion of an electronic notarization course for study that has been approved by the Secretary.
Take the online exam based on the electronic notarization course.
Complete, sign, and then electronically submit the “Registration for Commission As an Electronic Notary Public” form to the Secretary of State.
Register with the Secretary of the State the ability to perform electronic notarial acts
Define each method that the applicant will use to create an electronic signature or electronic notary seal. Include the names and software of the licensed authorities who are issuing the means.
You must ensure that the electronic notarizations capability used by the notary public conforms to the Missouri Secretary-of-State’s adopted standards.
After a lawful investigation, permit the Secretary of State access to the electronic journal of the notary so it can be viewed, printed and copied.

The registration term for an electronic notary public starts on the registration start date set by the Secretary of State. It continues until the expiration of the notary’s registration (RSMo.SS486.915). The Secretary of State must receive an electronic notice from the notary public confirming the change in electronic notary public email addresses within five business days (RSMo.SS486.980.1). Any change or addition to data in an electronic registration must be reported to the Secretary within ten days. This includes any changes to access instructions for electronic journals. Section 486.990 says, “Any revocation or resignation, expiration, termination, or other means of terminating the commission of a notary public immediately ends any existing registration as an electronic notary.”

The underlying commission of the notary general will not be affected by a notary public’s decision not to register as an electronic notary. If a Missouri notary public decides to terminate registration as an electronically notary public, they must notify the Secretary in writing. They must also dispose of any relevant software, coding or disk, certificate card, token, program, or code as specified in Section 486.995. The notary public of Missouri must notify the Secretary of State in writing if the electronic notary public’s commission expires or is resigned, revoked or terminated or if the electronic notary dies. Within thirty days, the notary and the duly authorized representative must permanently erase the software, coding or disk, card, token or electronic signature.

If an ex-electronic notary public’s prior commission expires, and the former notary public is recommissioned or registered as an electronic public within three month, and if electronic notaries will be using the same registered means to produce electronic notary signatures and seals, the former notary public does not have to destroy his/her electronic signature (RSMo S486.995).

What is the best way to remote notarize in Missouri?

Yes. Yes. The Missouri 100th General Assembly (2020), passed House Bill 1655. This bill includes remote online notarization provisions. House Bill 1655 was approved by the Missouri 100th General Assembly (2020) and became law on August 28, 2020. House Bill 1655 allows Missouri notaries public the authority to perform notarial acts remotely for individuals who use communication technology that conforms to the Missouri Secretary-of-State standards.

House Bill 1655 allows remote individuals to appear before an online notary public via communication technology. The act allows remote online notaries public to be located in Missouri to perform notarial acts for distant individuals. House Bill 1655 also allows the Secretary of State the authority to issue permanent regulations to implement remote online notarization provisions in Title XXXII Chapter 486, Sections486.1100 to 486.1205 of Revised Statutes of Missouri. This includes developing and maintaining standards for credential analysis, and identity proofing through rule. Section 486.1140 provides that remote online notarial acts can be performed only by communication technology, in accordance with Sections 486.1100 through 486.1205.

Before performing remote online notarial acts, one must first apply to become a commissioned notary publicly and register to become a remote notary public with the Secretary of State. A notary public must inform the Missouri Secretary of State that he/she will be performing notarial acts for remote individuals via communication technology before he/she can perform the initial notarial act.

How do you become a Missouri remote notary public online?

Before an individual can perform the first remote online notarial act for a distant individual, they must:

Meet the qualifications required to be a notary public under RSMo Chapter 486,
You can be commissioned as a Missouri notary.
The Missouri Notary Public Handbook is available.
Completion of a state-approved online notarization course.
Take the online exam based on remote notarization.
Complete, sign, and then electronically submit the “Registration for Commission As an Electronic Notary Public” form to the Secretary of State.
Register technology to perform remote notarial acts online with the Secretary.
Define each method that the applicant will use to create an electronic signature or electronic notary seal. Include the names of licensed authorities who issued the software. This requires the Secretary to approve the software for remote notarial acts.
You should ensure that the technology used by remote notary public to do remote notarizations is compliant with any rules established by the Missouri Secretary Of State.
After a lawful investigation, permit the Secretary of State access to the electronic journal of the notary so it can be viewed, printed and copied.

Any applicant who submits an electronic registration form that contains material misstatements or omissions of facts to the Secretary of State can be denied registration. The registration term for a remote online notary public starts on the registration start date. This can be extended until the expiration of the notary commission or the end of the registration (RSMo S486.1135). Remote online notary publics may notarize principals only when the principal is present at the remote online notary public’s office via live audio-video conference technology. Remote online notary public may only perform remote online authorized under Sections 486.1100-486.1205 if the principal is physically located in Missouri (SS486.1155). Remote online notaries must maintain an electronic journal in Section 486.1190 of remote notarial acts and a permanent bound journal.

(1) The journal and notarial records must be delivered to the Secretary-of-State in accordance with Section 486.795 and 486.800. This includes any method that provides a tangible receipt such as certified mail or electronic transmission. (2) In the case of an electronic Journal and its backup copy on disks, or other physical storage media, the backup and journal shall be protected until they are erased or deleted after ten years.

What is the term for a Missouri notary public commission?

A Missouri notary public’s commission term is four years, beginning with the date on the notary commission (RSMo S486.610). A notary’s commission can be canceled:

Resignation, death or revocation.
When a Missouri notary public is no longer a Missouri resident during their commission term.
A non-resident notary public must vacate a Missouri business or place of work.
A notary public is someone who loses his or her ability to read and speak English.
A notary public is someone who has left the United States to become a resident.
A notary public convicted of a felony offense is when his civil rights are not restored.

To become a Missouri notary, do I need a Missouri notary bond?

Yes. For new and renewal notaries public (SS486.615), a $10,000 surety bond is required. Every bond must be presented to each county clerk in the county where the person was commissioned. A notary public must submit his or her oaths and bonds to the Secretary of state after approval by the county clerk. The postmark date should not exceed seven days from the date of the original oath. A Missouri-licensed surety company shall serve as the surety for such bonds. A licensed Missouri surety shall execute the surety bond for a period of four years, beginning on the date of commission’s issuance and ending on its expiration. A surety for a notary bond must report to the Missouri Secretary Of State all claims against it. The Secretary of State determines whether the notary is fit to serve the remainder of the commission term.

What Missouri notary errors or omissions insurance do I need?

No. Missouri does not require an errors and omissions policy. E&O insurance is optional in Missouri. The American Association of Notaries strongly suggests that Missouri notaries obtain errors and omissions insurance to protect themselves against any potential liability. The purpose of errors and omissions insurance protects notaries public against liability for unintentional notarial errors or omissions that cause financial or other types of losses 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 a Missouri notary public chooses.

Missouri: Where can I do notarial acts?

Missouri’s notary public is subject to statewide jurisdiction. He or she may perform notarial acts in any location within Missouri’s geographic boundaries.

Who appoints Missouri public notaries?

The Missouri Secretary of States receives and processes applications for notary public and renewing notaries, as well as applications for remote and electronic notaries public. He also administers the commissioning process and maintains the public database. The following is the contact information for Missouri Secretary of State:

Missouri Secretary of State

Unit for Notaries & Commissions

Kirkpatrick State Information Center

PO Box 784

(600 West Main Street. Room 322)

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Toll free: 1-866-223-6535

Telephone: 573 751-2783

Fax: 573-751-8199

Email: [email protected]

What do I need to buy a Missouri notary stamp?

Yes. Missouri’s notary statute states that every Missouri notary public must use an engraved embosser or black inked rubber stamp seal to sign each paper notarial certificate. (RSMo, SS486.730).

DimensionsOfficial seals of notaries must have a border that is rectangular or circular and no more than one sixteenth inch around the words.

Essential ElementsThe notary public must attach a sharp, legible and permanent image of the official seal to which the following elements are added:

Name of the notary public exactly as it appears on the commission.
The identification number for the commission of notary public.
The words “Notary Public”
The words “State Missouri”
The words “Notary Seal”
“My commission expires (commission expiration date)”.

The notary public may type or print legible information in a notary’s official stamp impression. An embossed seal impression which is not photo-replicable may be used in lieu of the official seal described under Section 486.730. Affixing an official seal over printed or written material is not allowed. An authorized manufacturer must supply the embosser seal, black inked rubber stamp seal and electronic stamped seal. Visit us https://publicnotary.services/

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

Yes

An electronic signature registered shall be:

Unique to the electronic notary
capable of independent verification
Attached to or logically associated with an electronic notarial document in such a way that any subsequent alteration to the certificate or underlying electronic documents prominently displays evidence;
Attached to or logically associated by a device under the sole control of an electronic notary.

The electronic notary public must have sole control over the electronic notary’s electronic seals or single elements registered as legally described.
Employers of electronic notaries public cannot use or control the means to produce registered electronic signatures, notary seals, or registered single elements that combine the required features of both. An employer cannot retain any software, code, disk, certificate card, token, program, or other information that was intended to only produce a registered electronic signature or notary seal or a combined single element after the termination of an employee’s employment as a notary public.
An electronic notary may use a registered electronic signature for legal purposes, except that it is not used to perform electronic notarizations.
The electronic notary public may not use a registered electronic seal or a single element that contains the seal for any other purpose than to perform lawful remote notarizations or electronic notarizations.

The electronic notary seal must comply with Section 486.730 in order to be legally recognized

Name of the notary public exactly as it appears on the commission.
The identification number for the commission of notary public.
The words “Notary Public”
The words “State Missouri”
The words “Notary Seal”
“My commission expires (commission expiration date)”.

Notice:An authorized manufacturer must obtain the electronic notary seal. The electronic notary stamp is the sole property of the registered manufacturer.

Is Missouri required to keep a notary public?

Yes. Yes. Every Missouri notary public must keep a journal that contains a chronological list of notarial acts. It should be kept in a permanently bound notebook with numbered pages. One active, permanently bound journal may be kept by a notary public at a time. Section 486.705 outlines the journal contents that a notary public must record in his or her journal when he or she notarizes. The notary public must protect his or her journal, and any other notarial records. They may surrender them or destroy them only upon court order or direction by the Secretary of State.

The journal must be kept safe and under the sole control of the notary public. It may not be given to any employer or used by anyone else if it is not being used. The notary public must notify the Secretary of the State within ten days of a journal being stolen, lost or damaged. The journal and notarial records must be sent to the Secretary by any method that provides a tangible receipt (RSMo S486.715), upon resignation, revocation or expiration of notary commissions, or when the notary is killed.

What is the maximum amount a Missouri notary can charge for notarial acts?

Missouri’s notary fees are established by statute (RSMo.SS486.685). Below is a list of the maximum fees a Missouri notary public can charge for notarial services.

Acknowledgments – $5.00 each signature
Administering an affirmation or oath – $5.00
Jurats – $5 per signature
Signature witnessing – $5 per sign
Certified copies – Certified copies are $1.00 per page with a minimum charge of $3.00
Electronic notarizations – $25

Notice:If the notary and the person who requested the notarial acts agree to charge the travel fee, and (2) the notary informs the person who requested the notarial acts that the travel fee is separate and not required by the Section 486.685 notarial fee. Missouri’s notary public may not charge an additional fee to notarize any absentee ballot signature or absentee voter registration.

Notaries public who charge fees for notarial services must display prominently at their place of business or work, or present to the principals outside of their usual place of business or work, an English-language list of fees for notarial works, as required by Section 486.685. If a notary public has paid fees prior to performing a notarial service, those fees are non-refundable.

What notarial acts is a Missouri notary public allowed to perform?

The following acts are authorized for a Missouri notary public to perform:

Acknowledgments
Affirmations and oath
Jurats
Witnessing signatures
Copy certificates
Any other act that is authorized by Missouri law

How can I change my Missouri address for my notary commission?

Missouri’s notary public must notify the Secretary within ten days of a change in notary’s address, residence, business or mailing address. RSMo SS486.780. A notary public must send to the Secretary of state by any method that provides a tangible receipt (certified mail or electronic transmission), the following: (1) a signed, completed Change of Address form; (2) the old and new addresses of the notary; (3) a filing fee of $5 by money order or check payable to the State Director of Revenue. The notary public cannot perform notarial acts if the address of the business or workplace has changed. This must be done before: (1) the signed, completed Change of Address form has been sent or transmitted to the Secretary of State; (2) the Secretary has received confirmation that the address has changed; (3) the surety has been informed in writing. The county where the notary public was commissioned is the official seal. If that county has changed, the notary public must purchase a new seal.

Where To Work As a Notary in Missouri

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

We work with notaries all over Missouri 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: