Becoming an Iowa Notary (2026): No Bond, the 3-Year Term & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Iowa notary rules are set in Chapter 9B of the Iowa Code and can change, so confirm the details with the Iowa Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

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What does it cost to become a notary in Iowa?

Becoming an Iowa notary is among the cheapest in the country, usually $45 to $80, because there is no bond and no exam fee. The only fixed state charge is the $30 application fee. The rest is your required stamp and an optional journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Iowa?

You become an Iowa notary entirely online, with the oath built into the form. The steps, in order, are:

1. Open the Fast Track Filing application. Start the Application for Appointment as Notary Public on the Secretary of State's online system.
2. Complete the built-in oath. The affirmation section of the application is your oath of office, so there is no separate in-person ceremony.
3. Pay the $30 fee. Submit the application with the non-refundable fee; you can keep your home address private if you list an employer.
4. Wait for your commission certificate. Once approved, the Secretary of State sends your certificate; you cannot notarize until you physically have it.
5. Buy your stamp. Order a seal showing your name, "Notarial Seal," "Iowa," your commission number, and your expiration date.

How long does an Iowa notary commission last?

An Iowa notary commission lasts three years for Iowa residents, but only one year for non-residents who live in a bordering state and work in Iowa. This two-tier term is unusual and easy to miss, so a commuter who qualifies through an Iowa workplace renews far more often than a resident does. The Secretary of State sends a renewal notice about two months before expiration, and if you let the commission lapse you reapply as a first-time notary rather than renewing.

Do you need a bond or an exam in Iowa?

No, Iowa requires neither a surety bond nor an exam, which makes it one of the simplest states to enter. There is also no training course for a traditional commission, and the oath of office is folded into the online application rather than sworn separately before another notary. Errors and omissions insurance is optional but recommended for your own protection, since a notary can still be sued for a mistake even without a bond requirement.

What are the requirements to become an Iowa notary?

The Iowa requirements are short. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and either an Iowa resident or someone with a place of employment or practice in Iowa, able to read and write English, and not disqualified for dishonesty or unreliability. You must use an official ink stamp on every notarization, and Iowa does not cap your fee, allowing a reasonable charge. Notably, you cannot refuse to serve someone simply because they are not a customer, and an employer cannot restrict you from doing so.

How do you renew or notarize online in Iowa?

You renew through the Fast Track Filing system about 60 days before expiration by confirming your information, paying the $30 fee, and re-executing the oath, and an expired commission must be filed as a new application. To perform remote online notarization you complete a Secretary of State-approved training course, file an application for approval, and keep an electronic journal with audio-video recordings retained for ten years. Your traditional stamp stays in use alongside the remote tools.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Iowa Secretary of State, Notary Division and the Handbook for Iowa Notaries Public; Iowa Code Chapter 9B (including sections 9B.17 and 9B.23). Confirm current fees and steps with the Iowa Secretary of State before applying.