Is there an exam to become a Mississippi notary?

No. Mississippi requires no exam and no training course, though reviewing the state's notary law is wise before you apply.

Can a non-resident become a Mississippi notary?

No. You must be a Mississippi resident for at least 30 days and apply in your county of residence. Out-of-state workers do not qualify.

How much is the Mississippi notary bond?

$5,000 for the four-year term, usually $30 to $55. You file it with the Secretary of State within 60 days of approval.

How much can a Mississippi notary charge per act?

Up to $5 per act, but you must waive the fee for notarizing an absentee voter application or ballot.

Does a Mississippi notary stamp show the county?

Yes. Your seal must show your county of residence, so you need a new seal if you move to a different county.

Mississippi Notary Public 2026: No Exam, $5,000 Bond & How to Apply

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Mississippi notary rules are set in the Mississippi Code, Sections 25-33 and 25-34, and can change, so confirm the details with the Mississippi Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Mississippi you must be 18 and a state resident for at least 30 days; non-residents do not qualify. There is no exam. You notarize the oath on your application, mail it with a $25 fee, then post a $5,000 bond within 60 days of approval. The Governor approves the commission, which lasts four years. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Mississippi?

Becoming a Mississippi notary usually costs $70 to $115. The fixed state charge is the $25 application fee, and the $5,000 bond runs about $30 to $55 for the four-year term. The rest is a small fee to notarize your application oath, your required stamp, and a journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Mississippi?

You become a Mississippi notary by applying first, then bonding within 60 days. The steps, in order, are:

Notarize the oath on your application. Complete the application and sign its Oath of Office before a current Mississippi notary, who notarizes your signature.
Mail it with the $25 fee. Send the notarized application and fee to the Secretary of State's Business Services Division.
Get your pre-commission notice. Once approved, the Secretary of State sends a notice with your appointment date.
Post a $5,000 bond within 60 days. Buy the bond with an effective date matching your appointment, then mail the bond and oath to the Secretary of State within 60 days, or you reapply and pay again.
Get your stamp. After the Secretary of State emails your commission certificate, buy a seal showing your county before you notarize.

Who can become a Mississippi notary?

Only a Mississippi resident can become a Mississippi notary, which sets it apart from states that let bordering-state workers qualify. You must have lived in Mississippi for at least 30 days, apply in your county of residence, be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, able to read and write English, and free of disqualifying convictions. The Governor formally approves the commission while the Secretary of State runs the process, so non-residents and out-of-state commuters are not eligible no matter where they work.

How much can a Mississippi notary charge?

Mississippi caps notary fees at $5 per act, including $5 per signature for acknowledgments and jurats and $5 per person for oaths or affirmations. There is one notable exception: you must waive your fee for notarizing an absentee voter application or ballot, a public-service rule many notaries overlook. Your employer may bar you from charging for notarizations done on company time, and any fee paid before a completed act is non-refundable once the act is performed.

What are the requirements to become a Mississippi notary?

The Mississippi requirements are simple, with no exam or training course, but a few specifics matter. You carry a $5,000 surety bond, and your application oath must be notarized before you submit it. Your seal, a stamp or embosser, must show your county of residence, so moving to a new county means buying a new seal. You are also expected to keep a journal of your notarial acts, and your authority is statewide within Mississippi but void if you notarize outside the state.

How do you renew or notarize electronically in Mississippi?

You renew by filing a new application and notarized oath within 60 days before your commission expires and posting a fresh $5,000 bond when approved, following the same steps as a first-time applicant; a lapsed commission means applying as new. Mississippi allows in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present, after you register as an electronic notary with approved technology. Remote online notarization rules have shifted in recent years, so confirm the current status with the Secretary of State before relying on it.

Becoming a Mississippi notary: frequently asked questions

Is there an exam to become a Mississippi notary?: No. Mississippi requires no exam and no training course, though reviewing the state's notary law is wise before you apply.
Can a non-resident become a Mississippi notary?: No. You must be a Mississippi resident for at least 30 days and apply in your county of residence. Out-of-state workers do not qualify.
How much is the Mississippi notary bond?: $5,000 for the four-year term, usually $30 to $55. You file it with the Secretary of State within 60 days of approval.
How much can a Mississippi notary charge per act?: Up to $5 per act, but you must waive the fee for notarizing an absentee voter application or ballot.
Does a Mississippi notary stamp show the county?: Yes. Your seal must show your county of residence, so you need a new seal if you move to a different county.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division, Notaries and Apostilles; Mississippi Code Sections 25-33 and 25-34 (Revised Mississippi Law on Notarial Acts). Confirm current fees and steps with the Mississippi Secretary of State before applying.