Do you need a bond or exam in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota requires no surety bond, no exam, and no training course for a traditional commission. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.

How much does it cost to become a Minnesota notary?

A $120 non-refundable state fee plus a $20 county recording fee, so about $140 before your stamp and any supplies.

Why do you record your commission at the county?

It is required before you can notarize, and skipping it can bring a civil penalty larger than the $20 recording fee.

Can out-of-state residents become Minnesota notaries?

Yes, residents of a bordering county in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin can, by naming a Minnesota county and designating the Secretary of State as agent.

Getting Your Minnesota Notary Commission (2026): Cost, County Filing & Steps

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Minnesota notary rules are set in Chapters 358 and 359 of the Statutes and administered by the Secretary of State, and can change, so confirm the details with the Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Minnesota you must be 18 and a resident of Minnesota or a bordering-state county. There is no bond, exam, or training; you mail or file an application with a $120 fee, then record your commission at your county for $20 before you can notarize. The commission runs five years and always expires January 31. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Minnesota?

Becoming a Minnesota notary usually costs $160 to $180, because the state fee is one of the highest in the country. You pay a $120 non-refundable fee to the Secretary of State plus a $20 county recording fee, for $140 in fixed charges, then add a stamp and an optional journal. There is no bond or exam to pay for. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Minnesota?

You become a Minnesota notary by applying to the Secretary of State and then recording with your county. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and a Minnesota resident or a resident of a bordering county in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin.
Complete the application. Fill out the Notary Application, listing the Minnesota county where you will file, and answer the background questions.
Pay the $120 fee. Submit online or mail the application with a check or money order payable to the Office of the Secretary of State.
Receive your commission certificate. The Secretary of State mails it to your residential address, usually within about four weeks.
Record it at your county for $20. Register the commission with your county of residence and pay the $20 fee, then buy your stamp before you notarize.

Why must you record your commission at your county?

Minnesota will not let you notarize until you record your commission with your county of residence and pay the $20 recording fee, so it is a required step, not an optional one. Skipping it can trigger a civil penalty from the Department of Commerce that is usually larger than the $20 fee itself. The Secretary of State mails the commission certificate to you with county contact instructions, so handle the recording promptly once it arrives to start your term on time.

What are the requirements to become a Minnesota notary?

The Minnesota requirements are light on testing but specific on residency. You must be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen or resident alien, with no bond, exam, or training course required at the state level. Minnesota residents qualify, and so do residents of a bordering county in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin, who must name a Minnesota county for filing and designate the Secretary of State as their agent for service of process. A stamp is required, while a journal is recommended but not mandatory.

When does a Minnesota notary commission expire?

A Minnesota notary commission lasts five years and always expires on January 31 of the fifth year after it is issued, no matter what month you were commissioned. A commission issued in 2026, for example, expires January 31, 2031, so the term is rarely a full five years from your start date. The fixed date makes renewal predictable: the renewal window runs from August 1 through the January 31 your commission expires, and there is no grace period for notarizing afterward.

How do you renew or notarize online in Minnesota?

You renew between August 1 and January 31 of your expiration year by filing a renewal with the $120 fee, then recording the renewed commission at your county again for $20 before notarizing under the new term. The Secretary of State's online portal makes renewal straightforward if your information has not changed. Minnesota also authorizes remote online notarization, which you register for with the Secretary of State and which requires keeping a secure electronic journal of each remote act.

Becoming a Minnesota notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond or exam in Minnesota?: No. Minnesota requires no surety bond, no exam, and no training course for a traditional commission. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.
How much does it cost to become a Minnesota notary?: A $120 non-refundable state fee plus a $20 county recording fee, so about $140 before your stamp and any supplies.
Why do you record your commission at the county?: It is required before you can notarize, and skipping it can bring a civil penalty larger than the $20 recording fee.
Can out-of-state residents become Minnesota notaries?: Yes, residents of a bordering county in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin can, by naming a Minnesota county and designating the Secretary of State as agent.
When does a Minnesota notary commission expire?: Five years after issuance, always on January 31. A commission issued in 2026 expires January 31, 2031.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Minnesota Secretary of State, Notary and Apostille Services; Minnesota Statutes Chapters 358 and 359. Confirm current fees and steps with the Minnesota Secretary of State before applying.