How to Become a Notary in Michigan (2026): Steps, Cost & Term
This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Michigan notary rules are set in the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts and can change, so confirm the details with the Michigan Department of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.
What does it cost to become a notary in Michigan?
Becoming a Michigan notary usually costs $70 to $130, with the surety bond as the only sizable expense. The bond premium runs about $50 to $100, the county filing fee is around $10, and the state processing fee is a flat $10. There is no exam or course fee, and a stamp is optional in Michigan. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.
How do you become a notary in Michigan?
You become a Michigan notary by getting bonded, taking your oath at the county clerk, and then filing with the state, in that order. The steps are:
- Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and a resident of the county where you apply, or a non-resident with a principal place of business in that Michigan county.
- Complete the application and buy a $10,000 bond. Fill out the state application and obtain a $10,000 surety bond with power of attorney from an insurer; attorneys in good standing skip the bond.
- File and take your oath at the county clerk. Bring the application and bond to your county clerk, pay the roughly $10 filing fee, and take the oath of office so the clerk can sign your application.
- Send the application to the state with the $10 fee. Within 90 days, upload it through Michigan Online Services or mail it to the Office of the Great Seal with the $10 processing fee.
- Wait for "Valid" status before notarizing. Online filings often process the same day and mail can take up to six weeks; do not notarize until your commission shows as valid.
When does a Michigan notary commission expire?
A Michigan notary commission expires on your birthday, between six and seven years after your appointment, which is one of the most unusual term rules in the country. If your appointment date falls after your birthday in a given year, the term runs to your birthday seven years later; if it falls before, it runs about six years. Use the official expiration date printed on your commission card, not the date on your surety bond, and reapply before it lapses because there is no automatic renewal.
What are the requirements to become a Michigan notary?
The Michigan requirements are unusual because there is no exam but there is a bond. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or able to prove legal presence, able to read and write English, and a resident of the county where you apply rather than the county where you work. You also need a $10,000 surety bond, although attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are exempt from it. Michigan asks you to read the notary statutes, but it does not require a course or a test.
Do you need a seal to notarize in Michigan?
No, Michigan does not require a stamp or seal, which surprises notaries used to other states. What the law requires is a written certificate that states your name, the words "Notary Public, State of Michigan," the county where you are commissioned, the county where you are acting, and your commission expiration date. Many notaries still buy a stamp for convenience, but it is optional as long as your certificate includes all the required wording.
How do you renew or notarize online in Michigan?
Michigan has no separate renewal process, so you reapply for a new commission before the current one expires, ideally within the 60 days before your expiration date to avoid a gap. The steps mirror a first application, including a fresh $10,000 bond and oath at the county clerk. Michigan also authorizes remote online notarization, so once your commission is valid you can register with the state to notarize by audio-video.
Becoming a Michigan notary: frequently asked questions
- Is there an exam to become a Michigan notary?
- No. Michigan requires no exam and no training course, though you are expected to read the notary statutes before applying.
- Do you need a bond in Michigan?
- Yes, a $10,000 surety bond filed with your county clerk. Attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are exempt from the bond.
- Do you apply in the county where you live or where you work?
- Where you live. Only a non-resident applies in the Michigan county that holds their principal place of business.
- When does a Michigan notary commission expire?
- On your birthday, six to seven years after appointment. Use the date on your commission card, not the one on your bond.
- Can you notarize as soon as you file?
- No. You must wait until your commission shows valid status from the state before performing any notarial acts.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, Notary Services; the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts and Michigan Compiled Laws sections 55.269, 55.271, and 55.273. Confirm current fees and steps with the Michigan Department of State before applying.