How to Become a Notary in Indiana

How do I renew my notary commission in Indiana?

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To renew your Indiana notary commission, follow the same steps you took when you applied to become a notary the first time. You can renew your notary commission within ninety days of your notary commission expiration date.

Click here to start the notary renewal application process in Indiana.

Who appoints notaries in Indiana?

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The governor appoints notaries public (IC 33-42-9-1). However, the Indiana Secretary of State receives applications for appointment and reappointment as a notary public, administers the commissioning process, and maintains an electronic database of active notaries and remote notaries.

Indiana Secretary of State
Notary Division
302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 234-9768

Can a non-resident of Indiana apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. A non-resident notary applicant may apply to become an Indiana notary public if the non-resident  is primarily employed in Indiana [IC 33-42-12-1(b)(3)]. A non-resident must follow the same steps as a resident applicant to become an Indiana notary public. In addition, they are required to upload while completing the application on the secretary of state’s website an Employer Consent form proving their current employment. Examples include a recent paystub or a letter from your HR office. (It must NOT include private or personal information on the document.)

How long is a notary public's commission term in Indiana?

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The term of office for an Indiana notary public is eight years. A notary cannot notarize documents after their notary commission expires without first renewing their notary commission with the secretary of state.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Indiana?

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Yes. Effective July 1, 2020, all new applicants and renewing notaries seeking appointment and reappointment as Indiana notaries public are required to (IC 33-42-12-2):

1. Complete a course of education.
2. Pass an examination.

The course and examination are administered online by the secretary of state. The notary educational course and exam are available after completing the application and paying the application fee.

Moreover, all notaries must fulfill a continuing education course requirement every two years to maintain their notary public commissions [IC 33-42-12-2(b)]. The fee to complete the continuing education course is $50.00. An Indiana notary public will be required to complete three continuing education courses, for a total cost of $150.00, over the course of the notary’s eight-year commission term. The Indiana Secretary of State will send out reminders to Indiana notaries public to their addresses on record. The deadline to complete a continuing education course and exam will be the last day of the month of the notary’s commission issuance date every two years. Continuing education courses may only be completed within ninety days of the due date. Failure to complete the continuing education course requirements will result in administrative action against the notary public, which may include the revocation of the notary’s commission. The continuing education course is offered through the secretary of state’s website (INBiz). Continuing education courses taken or completed outside of INBiz are not accepted at this time.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Indiana?

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The cost to become a notary in Indiana includes:  

1. A $75 application fee.
2. A $16.32 fee to obtain an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record.  
3. The price of a $25,000 notary surety bond. Click here to view our Indiana notary bond price.

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

1. An official notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
2. A notary journal if the notary would like to adhere to the recommendations of the Indiana Secretary of State to record every notarial act performed. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
3. A $50 fee for a continuing education course to be taken every two years.
4. An errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view our notary E&O policy premiums and coverage amounts.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Indiana?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become an Indiana notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Indiana notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as an Indiana notary public.

Indiana notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website: https://www.indiananotary.com/notary-insurance.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Indiana?

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Yes. All Indiana notary applicants are required to maintain an eight-year, $25,000 notary bond. The bond protects the public from notary errors.

If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Indiana notary bonds are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website: https://www.indiananotary.com/indiana-notary-bond.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Indiana?

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The Indiana notary law requires a notary public who performs a notarial act on a tangible record to affix, display, or emboss a notary official seal [IC 33-42-9-12(b)(1)].

The official seal of an Indiana notary public must include the following information (IC 33-42-10-2):

1. The words "Notary Public."
2. The words "State of Indiana."
3. The word "Seal."
4. The name of the notary public exactly as it appears on the notary public’s commission certificate.
5. The words “commission number” followed by the commission number of the notary public. (Commission numbers are now listed in the form of NP0xxxxxx.)
6. The word “my commission expires” followed by the expiration date of the notary public’s commission.

Note:

• The notary seal may include any other information chosen by the notary public to be included on the seal [IC 33-42-10-2(c)].
• The Indiana notary law does not specify the dimensions or the ink color of a notary seal.
• The notary’s stamp or embosser seal must be clear and legible and capable of being photographically reproduced together with the record to which it is affixed, attached, or associated.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Indiana notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Indiana notary seal?

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If a notary seal is lost, you must promptly notify the secretary of state's office upon learning of the loss or theft.

In the case of theft, report the incident to the police, and then report the fact to the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division.

How much can an Indiana notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations — Indiana notary public fees for notarial acts are set by IC 33-42-14-1. A notary public may charge a maximum fee as shown below:  

• Taking an acknowledgment — $10
• Administering an affirmation or oath — $10
• Attesting to or witnessing a signature — $10
• Taking a verification on an oath or affirmation — $10
• Attesting to or certifying a copy — $10
• Fees for notarial acts not described in IC 33-42-14-1(a) — Negotiable

Note: 

• If a fee is charged for a notarial act, the notary public must display, in advance, a list of the fees that the notary public will charge.
• Notarial acts that are performed as part of the notary’s employment or do not require record keeping are subject to private agreement and are not governed by IC 33-42-14-1.
• A notary public may charge a reasonable fee for traveling to perform a notarial act. The travel fee requested may not exceed the federal travel fee established by the United States General Services Administration.

Remote Notarizations — Fees for remote notarial acts are set by IC 33-42-17-9. A remote notary public may charge a maximum fee as shown below:

• Taking an acknowledgment — $25
• Administering an affirmation or oath — $25
• Taking a verification on an oath or affirmation — $25
• Attesting to or witnessing a signature — $25
• Attesting to or certifying a copy of a document or record — $25

Note: A remote notary may charge a reasonable fee to recover expenses related to copying of:

1. electronic journal entries; or
2. audiovisual recordings of remote notarial acts.

Is a notary journal required in Indiana?

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 Notary journal requirements for each type of notarization in Indiana:

• Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations – Indiana notaries are not required to maintain a notary journal; however, the Indiana Secretary of State’s office strongly recommends that notaries record all their notarial acts in a notary journal. Journals can be maintained on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.
• Remote Notarizations – An Indiana remote notary public is required to maintain an electronic notary journal to record remote notarial acts. The remote notary public may maintain more than one electronic journal.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Indiana notaries record in their notary journals?

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For Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations – If you choose to maintain a notary journal, the secretary of state recommends that you record the following information:

1. Date and time of the notarial act.
2. Type of notarial act performed.
3. Date of the document, if any.
4. Type of document notarized (e.g., will, contract, deed).
5. Name of the signer.
6. Description of how the notary public identified the signer.
7. Fees collected, if any.
8. Any other pertinent information.
9. Unusual circumstances such as reasons for refusal to notarize.

For Remote Notarizations – Indiana notary law requires a remote notary to chronicle the following information in their electronic notary journals:

1. The date and time of the remote notarization.
2. The type of remote notarial act (acknowledgment, oath or affirmation, verification on oath or affirmation, signature witnessing, copy certification, etc.)
3. The tile or description of the electronic record (document) notarized.
4. The full name of the principal.
5. A description of how the principal was identified.
6. A description of any identification credential (driver’s license, passport, etc.) and the credential’s date of expiration.
7. A listing of every fee and the amount of the fee charged for the remote notarial act.
8. Any other information required by the Indiana Secretary of State.

What steps should I take if my Indiana notary journal is lost or stolen?

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Journals for Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations – Since tangible notary journals are optional, Indiana notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Journals for Remote Notarizations – Upon learning that your electronic journal is lost, stolen, or compromised, you are required to notify the secretary of state.

How long should I retain my Indiana notary journal?

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Journals for Traditional Notarizations and Electronic Notarizations - Indiana notary laws do not address this question, since maintaining a notary journal in Indiana is optional. If you decide to maintain a tangible notary journal, we recommend you retain it indefinitely.

Journals for Remote Notarizations - A remote notary public who resigns or whose commission expires shall maintain the contents of an electronic journal for at least ten years after the performance of the last recorded remote notarial act.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Indiana?

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Indiana notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts while physically located anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Indiana.

What notarial acts can an Indiana notary public perform?

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For Traditional and Electronic Notarizations - An Indiana notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts with respect to either a tangible or an electronic record (IC 33-42-0.5-18):

1. Taking an acknowledgment.
2. Administering an oath or affirmation.
3. Taking a verification on an oath or affirmation.
4. Attesting to or witnessing a signature.
5. Attesting to or certifying a copy of (a) a tangible document or record or (b) an electronic document or record.
6. Taking a proof (as defined in IC 32-21-2-1.7).
7. Noting a protest of a negotiable record.
8. Any other act authorized by common law or the custom of merchants.

For Remote Notarizations - A remote notary public who is physically present in Indiana may perform the following notarial acts as remote notarial acts:

1. Taking an acknowledgment.
2. Administering an affirmation or oath.
3. Taking a verification on an oath or affirmation.
4. Attesting to or witnessing a signature.
5. Attesting to or certifying a copy of a document or record

What type of notarizations are allowed in Indiana?

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Indiana law allows the following three types of notarizations:

Traditional notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarizations – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Remote notarizations – The signer appears remotely before a remote notary via audio visual communication. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to register to perform electronic notarizations in Indiana?

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You are not required to receive additional authorization, other than being an active notary public, to perform electronic notarizations.

What are the steps to become a remote notary in Indiana?

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An Indianan notary public must apply with the Indiana Secretary of State to be authorized to perform remote online notarial acts. To qualify as a remote notary, a notary public must:

1. Hold a current Indiana notary public commission with at least ninety days remaining on the commission term.
2. Meet the continuing education requirements for a notary commission.
3. Obtain an electronic notary seal and digital certificate.
4. Contract with at least one remote technology vendor. A list of approved vendors may be found on the secretary of state’s website.
5. Complete a remote notary application on the secretary of state’s website.
6. Complete the remote notarization course and achieve a passing score on the remote notary examination.
7. Be able to competently operate the software provided by your remote technology vendor.
8. Pay a nonrefundable fee of $100.

Once the vendor has given their approval, your application will be processed by the Indiana Secretary of State's office. Upon approval by the secretary of state, a remote notarization authorization is valid from the date of authorization through the expiration of the notary’s current notary public commission. When the notary commission term expires, a notary must renew the notary commission before applying for a consecutive remote notary authorization.

For more information on becoming a remote notary in Indiana, visit the Indiana Secretary of State’s website.

How do I update my address on my Indiana notary commission?

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An Indiana notary public must notify the Indiana Secretary of State not later than thirty days after any change to the following information associated with the notary public [IC 33-42-12-3(a) and 75 IAC 7-2-2(a)]:

1. Name.
2. Mailing address.
3. Personal electronic mail address.
4. Personal telephone number.
5. Employer’s address, name, and telephone number.

To update your information, log into your INBiz account on the secretary of state’s website. There is an $8.67 commission revision fee.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Indiana?

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An Indiana notary public must notify the Indiana Secretary of State not later than thirty days after a name change [IC 33-42-12-3(a) and 75iac 7-2-2(a)]. A notary public needs to do the following to change their notary name:  

1. Obtain a rider or other record issued by the notary public’s surety reflecting the change of name.
2. Acquire an example of the notary’s new, official signature.
3. Log into their INBiz account on the secretary of state’s website.
4. Upload their rider or other record and new signature sample.
5. Pay a $8.67 commission revision fee.

The notary will be issued a new commission certificate with the new name.

Revised:

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January 2024