Do you need a bond to be a Vermont notary?

No. Vermont is one of the few states without a bond requirement. Errors and omissions insurance is optional but recommended for your protection.

Is there an exam to become a Vermont notary?

Yes, an open-book Vermont State Jurisprudence Exam built into the application for first-time applicants since 2021. Renewers complete continuing education instead.

Do you need a stamp in Vermont?

No. A stamp is optional. If you skip it, you hand-write your name, commission number, and expiration on each certificate. If used, it cannot show the state seal.

How long does a Vermont notary commission last?

Two years, on a fixed biennial cycle. All commissions expire January 31 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when you were commissioned.

Who regulates notaries in Vermont?

The Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation, which handles applications, exams, and renewals like a professional license.

How to Become a Notary in Vermont (2026): The Open-Book Exam, No Bond & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Vermont notary rules are set in Title 26, Chapter 103 of the Vermont Statutes and administered by the Office of Professional Regulation, and can change, so confirm the details before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Vermont you must be 18 and live or work in the state. There is no bond and no required stamp. You apply online through the Office of Professional Regulation, pass an open-book exam built into the application, and upload a notarized oath. The $30 fee covers a two-year term that expires January 31 of odd years. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Vermont?

Becoming a Vermont notary is one of the cheapest paths anywhere, often just $30 to $75. The only fixed state charge is the $30 application fee, which covers the two-year term, and there is no bond. A stamp and journal are optional, so they are extra only if you want them, and an electronic notary endorsement adds another $30. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Vermont?

You become a Vermont notary entirely online through the Office of Professional Regulation. The order is:

Notarize your oath of office. Download the Oath or Affirmation of Office, sign it before a current Vermont notary or justice of the peace, and scan it to upload.
Create an OPR account. Set up an account on the Office of Professional Regulation's online services portal and choose to apply for a Notaries Public license.
Take the open-book exam. Download the Vermont State Jurisprudence Exam in the application, complete the answer sheet, and upload it.
Upload your oath and pay $30. Attach the notarized oath and pay the non-refundable fee; applications are accepted only online, not by mail.
Wait for approval. Processing takes three to five business days, after which you print your commission from your online account and may buy a stamp if you want one.

Do you have to pass an exam to become a Vermont notary?

Yes, first-time applicants must pass the Vermont State Jurisprudence Exam, which has been required since February 1, 2021 and is open book. It is built into the online application: you download the exam, answer it while referencing Vermont's notary statutes, and upload your answer sheet. Vermont-licensed attorneys and certain judiciary employees are exempt. Renewing notaries do not retake the exam; instead they complete a short continuing education course before reapplying, so the exam is a first-commission step rather than a recurring one.

Do you need a bond or a stamp in Vermont?

No, Vermont requires neither a surety bond nor a stamp, which is unusual even among the lighter-touch states. If you choose not to use a stamp, you must clearly print or type your name, commission number, and expiration date on every notarial certificate instead. If you do use a stamp, it must be photographically reproducible and may not contain the Vermont State Seal. A journal is also optional, though keeping one is strongly recommended to document your acts.

What are the requirements to become a Vermont notary?

The Vermont requirements are administered like a professional license through the Office of Professional Regulation rather than a typical notary division. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and either a Vermont resident or someone with a place of employment or practice in the state, with no disqualifying convictions. You pass the open-book exam, submit a notarized oath, and pay $30. Convictions that occur while you hold a commission must be reported to the office within 30 days.

How do you renew or notarize electronically in Vermont?

Vermont commissions run on a fixed two-year cycle and all expire January 31 of odd-numbered years, and under current law you apply for a new commission rather than renewing the old one, completing a short continuing education course first. The Office of Professional Regulation emails a reminder about six weeks ahead. Vermont offers an optional electronic notary endorsement for an extra $30, while broader remote online notarization has been phased in under evolving rules, so confirm the current remote status with the Office of Professional Regulation before relying on it.

Becoming a Vermont notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a Vermont notary?: No. Vermont is one of the few states without a bond requirement. Errors and omissions insurance is optional but recommended for your protection.
Is there an exam to become a Vermont notary?: Yes, an open-book Vermont State Jurisprudence Exam built into the application for first-time applicants since 2021. Renewers complete continuing education instead.
Do you need a stamp in Vermont?: No. A stamp is optional. If you skip it, you hand-write your name, commission number, and expiration on each certificate. If used, it cannot show the state seal.
How long does a Vermont notary commission last?: Two years, on a fixed biennial cycle. All commissions expire January 31 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when you were commissioned.
Who regulates notaries in Vermont?: The Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation, which handles applications, exams, and renewals like a professional license.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation, Notaries Public; Title 26, Chapter 103 of the Vermont Statutes. Confirm current fees and steps with the Office of Professional Regulation before applying.