Missouri Notary Public 2026: How to Apply, Cost & the County Oath

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Missouri notary rules are set in Chapter 486 of the Revised Statutes and can change, so confirm the details with the Missouri 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 Missouri?

Becoming a Missouri notary usually costs $80 to $120, with the bond and supplies as the main charges. The fixed state charge is the $25 application fee, and the $10,000 bond premium typically runs $30 to $60 for the four-year term. The rest is your stamp and the required journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Missouri?

You become a Missouri notary by getting bonded, applying to the Secretary of State, and taking an oath at your county clerk. The steps, in order, are:

1. Confirm you are eligible and study the Handbook. Be at least 18, able to read and write English, and a Missouri resident or regular worker; review the official Notary Public Handbook.
2. Buy a $10,000 surety bond. Purchase it from a bonding company for the four-year term; you pay only the premium, not the full amount.
3. Apply online with the $25 fee. Submit your application and bond information to the Secretary of State; processing usually takes one to two weeks.
4. Watch for your commission letter. It lists your commission number and expiration date and starts a strict 90-day clock.
5. Take the oath at your county clerk within 90 days. Appear in person to swear the oath and file your bond, then mail the executed oath and bond to the state and get your stamp.

What is the 90-day oath deadline in Missouri?

Missouri gives you 90 days from the date of your commission letter to appear at the county clerk, take your oath of office, and file your $10,000 bond, or the commission is void. This is the step people overlook, because being approved by the Secretary of State is not the same as being commissioned; you cannot notarize until the oath and bond are on record. If the 90 days lapse you must reapply and pay the $25 fee again, so schedule the county visit as soon as your letter arrives.

What are the requirements to become a Missouri notary?

The Missouri requirements are short, with no state exam. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either a Missouri resident or a non-resident who regularly works in the state where the seal will be used; permanent residents qualify even without citizenship. You study the Notary Public Handbook rather than sit a proctored test, carry a $10,000 bond, and keep a mandatory journal with permanently bound, pre-numbered pages that you retain for ten years. A compliant stamp is required.

Can you notarize for family members in Missouri?

No, Missouri prohibits you from notarizing for close family, which is stricter than many states. You cannot notarize for your spouse or domestic partner, an ancestor such as a parent or grandparent, a descendant such as a child or grandchild, or a sibling, and this includes step, half, and in-law relationships. You must also avoid notarizing any document in which you have a direct financial interest, since both situations break the impartiality a notary is meant to provide.

How do you renew or notarize online in Missouri?

You renew by reapplying as a new notary about six weeks before your four-year commission expires, since Missouri does not reappoint automatically; you file a new $10,000 bond, pay the $25 fee, and take a new oath at the county clerk. Missouri was an early adopter of remote online notarization, so once commissioned you can apply for RON authorization by completing approved training and registering an approved platform with the Secretary of State.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Missouri Secretary of State, Commissions Division and the Missouri Notary Public Handbook; Revised Statutes of Missouri Chapter 486 (including Section 486.240). Confirm current fees and steps with the Missouri Secretary of State before applying.