Missouri Notary Laws Summary

All applicants must meet all of the requirements listed below:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a registered voter in the county in which commissioned
• Read and write the English language
• Not have had a commission revoked during the past 10 years

In order to receive a notary public commission, a person must:

• Meeting the eligibility requirements
• Properly complete and submit a notary application form to the Secretary of State with a $25 filing fee and a copy of a certificate of completion of a written course. Click here to download the application form -
  http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/
• After approved, record with the county clerk a $10,000 bond, submit a handwritten specimen of your official signature, and take the oath of office. If the appointment is not filed with the county clerk within 90 days, the notary commission will be cancelled.

Non-residents must work in Missouri and use the notary seal during the course of employment. Applicants must submit non-resident applications. Click here to download the application form
http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/

A bond in the amount of $10,000 is required for new and renewing applicants. Please visit the American Association of Notaries’ website at www.missourinotary.com to purchase and receive a bond via email in one business day.

Optional. The American Association of Notaries recommends that Missouri notaries insure themselves against claims of negligence through Errors and Omission insurance. Visit the American Association of Notaries’ website at www.missourinotary.com for more information.

A $25 filing fee is required for new and renewal notary applications.

4 years.

Statewide.

Secretary of State
Commissions Division
PO Box 784
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(866) 223-6535
http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/

A notary public may apply 30 days before the expiration of the current commission by completing a renewal application form.

Required. Read the Missouri notary public handbook. Complete a computer-based notary training or other notary training prescribed by the Secretary of State. Missouri notaries are encouraged by AAN to learn the notarial duties by completing a live or an online notary course. For complete details go to www.missourinotary.com .

Required.

Type – embosser or rubber stamp

Ink color – black

Required elements - notary public’s name, commission number, and the wording “Notary Public, State of Missouri, Notary Seal.” County name and commission expiration dates are optional. Print must not be smaller than eight-point type and must be photographically reproducible.

Note: If the notary seal is stolen, the notary must report the theft. The Secretary of State will issue a new commission number. Notice of the stolen notary seal will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website for the general public.

Notaries are required to keep a permanently bound journals of their notarial acts. Each notary public shall keep a permanently bound journal of his or her notarial acts containing numbered pages, except those notarial acts connected with judicial proceedings and those for which public record is publicly filed within ninety days of execution. For notary supplies, contact the American Association of Notaries by calling (800) 721-2663 or visiting our website at www.missourinotary.com .

Notary fees are set by state law. A notary public is allowed to charge for each notarial act, but not more than:

• $2 for each signature notarized
• $2 for a certified copy
• $25 for an expedited convenience service fee when traveling
• Travel fees—not to exceed approved federal mileage rates

Missouri notary has the authority to:

• Take acknowledgments
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Certify a copy of a document
• Perform any other act permitted by law

A notary must notify the Secretary of State within 30 days of a move by submitting a Change of Address form. If a notary moves outside the county, he must be registered to vote in the new county before submitting the Change of County form. After the notary is registered to vote in the new county, he must submit the change form, current commission, and a $5 filing fee. Click here to download the Change of Address form or the Change of County form http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/.

If a notary’s legal name change, she must notify the Secretary of State within 30 days. Notice must include a $5 fee, the current commission, the notice of change form, and an official signature. Click here to download the Name Change form http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/.

If a notary wishes to resign his commission, he must submit a letter of resignation along with his commission certificate to the Office of Secretary of State. The notary is not required to state a reason for resigning. If a complaint is received prior to notice of resignation, future applications for appointment may be denied. If any notary public receives notice from the Secretary of State that his commission has been revoked, he must mail or deliver his commission to the Secretary of State.

A notary public who knowingly and willfully commits any official misconduct is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable upon conviction by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months or both. A notary public who recklessly or negligently commits any official misconduct is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable upon conviction by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

Click here to view your state's notarial certificates.