How much is the bond to become a notary in Alabama?

$50,000, raised from $25,000 in September 2023 and among the highest nationally. The premium is usually $35 to $55 for the four-year term.

Do you apply to the Secretary of State in Alabama?

No. Your county probate judge appoints and commissions you; the Secretary of State only keeps the records of commissions.

Is there training or an exam to become an Alabama notary?

Training is mandatory since 2023, completed within 30 days of applying. There is no state exam, though a probate judge may request one.

Why do Alabama notary fees vary so much?

Because filing, commission, and recording charges are set at the county level, so totals differ from one probate office to another.

How long does an Alabama notary commission last?

Four years, with statewide authority. You must be a resident of the county where you apply, as non-residents do not qualify.

How to Become a Notary in Alabama (2026): Probate Judge, Bond & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Alabama notary rules are set in the Revised Notary Public Act (Act 2023-548), amending Ala. Code §§ 36-20-70 and following, and can change, so confirm the details with your county probate judge before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Alabama you must be 18 and a resident of the county where you apply. Unlike most states, you apply to your county probate judge, not the Secretary of State. You complete a mandatory training program, pass a background check, and post a $50,000 bond, which rose from $25,000 in 2023. The commission lasts four years and gives you statewide authority. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Alabama?

Becoming an Alabama notary usually costs $90 to $150, and the total swings more than in most states because the probate fees are set county by county. The $50,000 bond premium is modest, often $35 to $55 for the full four years, but filing, commission, and recording charges differ widely; some counties total around $40 while others run $66 to $75. Tick what applies and edit the amounts to match your county; the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Alabama?

You become an Alabama notary by applying through your county probate judge and qualifying within set deadlines. The steps, in order, are:

File your application with the probate judge. Submit the statewide application from the Alabama Probate Judges Association with a copy of your ID and the application fee to the judge in your county of residence.
Complete the training within 30 days. Take the pre-commission course hosted on the APJA website within 30 days of applying; licensed attorneys are exempt.
Pass the background check. The probate office reviews your background and, if approved, mails you an appointment letter.
Get a $50,000 bond within 40 days. From the date of the letter, obtain the bond from an Alabama insurer, leaving the date blank for the office to complete.
File the bond, take the oath, and pay the fees. Return to the probate office with your bond and training certificate, swear the oath, pay the commission and recording fees, and get your seal once your certificate arrives.

Why do you apply to a probate judge instead of the Secretary of State?

Alabama is unusual because county probate judges appoint and commission notaries, while the Secretary of State only keeps the records, so your application never goes to a central state office. Each probate judge has sole discretion to approve or deny an application, and the office handles your training verification, background check, bond filing, and oath. This county-based structure is why fees and exact steps vary from one Alabama county to the next, and why you start at your local probate court rather than a statewide portal.

How much is the Alabama notary bond now?

The Alabama notary bond is $50,000, increased from $25,000 effective September 1, 2023, which makes it one of the highest in the country, so guides still listing $25,000 are out of date. You must obtain it from an Alabama-licensed surety within 40 days of your appointment letter, and it stays in force for the full four-year term. The bond protects the public rather than you, so many notaries add optional errors and omissions insurance for their own protection against claims.

What are the requirements to become an Alabama notary?

The Alabama requirements tightened under the 2023 law, which added training and a background check. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and a resident of the Alabama county where you apply, since non-residents do not qualify. You complete the APJA pre-commission training within 30 days, clear a background review, and post the $50,000 bond. There is no state-proctored exam, though an individual probate judge may request one, and a notary seal is required before you begin.

How do you renew or notarize remotely in Alabama?

You renew by repeating the process through your county probate judge, including the same pre-commission training, a new $50,000 bond, and the application and fees, so start before your four-year term ends. For remote work, Alabama has allowed notaries to notarize tangible, paper documents for remotely located signers using two-way audio-video communication since July 1, 2021, provided you hold an active commission. Confirm the current technology and recording rules with your probate office before offering remote notarizations.

Becoming an Alabama notary: frequently asked questions

How much is the bond to become a notary in Alabama?: $50,000, raised from $25,000 in September 2023 and among the highest nationally. The premium is usually $35 to $55 for the four-year term.
Do you apply to the Secretary of State in Alabama?: No. Your county probate judge appoints and commissions you; the Secretary of State only keeps the records of commissions.
Is there training or an exam to become an Alabama notary?: Training is mandatory since 2023, completed within 30 days of applying. There is no state exam, though a probate judge may request one.
Why do Alabama notary fees vary so much?: Because filing, commission, and recording charges are set at the county level, so totals differ from one probate office to another.
How long does an Alabama notary commission last?: Four years, with statewide authority. You must be a resident of the county where you apply, as non-residents do not qualify.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Alabama Secretary of State, Notaries Public; the Alabama Revised Notary Public Act (Act 2023-548) and Ala. Code §§ 36-20-70 and following; Alabama Probate Judges Association. Confirm current fees and steps with your county probate judge before applying.