How to Become a Notary in Utah (2026): The Purple-Ink Stamp, Exam & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Utah notary rules are set in the Notaries Public Reform Act, Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1, and can change, so confirm the details with the Lieutenant Governor's office before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Utah?

Becoming a Utah notary usually costs $165 to $200. The main fixed charge is the $95 testing and administration fee, which is non-refundable, and the $5,000 bond adds about $50 for the four-year term. The rest is a small fee to notarize your oath, your required purple-ink stamp, and a journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Utah?

You become a Utah notary entirely online through the Lieutenant Governor's portal. The steps, in order, are:

1. Create an account and study. Register at the Lieutenant Governor's notary portal with the exact name you will use, and review the official study guide.
2. Pass the online exam and pay $95. Take the exam, score at least 61 of 65 points, and pay the fee; results are immediate, and details are on our Utah notary exam page.
3. Authorize the background check. Submit to the mandatory background check through the portal, and continue without waiting for the result.
4. Get a $5,000 bond and notarize your oath. Buy the bond as principal, then sign the Oath of Office before another notary who notarizes it.
5. Upload and finish. Upload your signed bond and notarized oath; there is no final submit button, so the upload completes it. After your Certificate of Authority arrives, buy a purple-ink stamp and a journal.

Why does Utah require a purple-ink stamp?

Utah is the only state that legally requires a notary stamp to be applied in purple ink, under Utah Code Section 46-1-16, so using black or blue ink is a violation. The rule makes Utah notarizations easy to spot and helps deter copying, and your stamp must be a rectangle no larger than one by two and a half inches with a border. It also has to show your name, "Notary Public," "State of Utah," your commission number and expiration date, and the Great Seal of Utah. When you order supplies, ask specifically for a Utah purple-ink seal.

Do you have to pass an exam to become a Utah notary?

Yes, Utah requires a mandatory online exam, despite some guides that wrongly claim there is none. It has 35 multiple-choice questions scored out of 65 points, and you need at least 61 points to pass, which is a high bar. The $95 testing and administration fee is paid with the exam, results are immediate, and a retake within 30 days costs $40 before reverting to the full fee. Prepare with our Utah notary practice test so you clear it on the first attempt.

What are the requirements to become a Utah notary?

The Utah requirements are handled by the Lieutenant Governor rather than a Secretary of State. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, able to read and write English, and lawfully residing or employed in Utah for at least 30 days before applying. You pass the exam, clear a background check, and carry a $5,000 bond. A notable change took effect May 6, 2026 under S.B. 139: standard notaries commissioned or renewed on or after that date must keep a physical journal, which was previously only recommended.

How do you renew or notarize online in Utah?

Utah has no separate renewal process, so you reapply much like a new applicant, retaking the exam and obtaining a new $5,000 bond, and you can reuse your login if your name has not changed. There is no grace period, so do not let the commission lapse. For remote online notarization, available since 2019, you must already hold a traditional commission, increase your coverage with an additional $5,000 bond, obtain an electronic seal and signature, and pay a $50 remote application fee.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor, Notary Public program; Utah Code Title 46, Chapter 1 (including Section 46-1-16) and S.B. 139 (2026). Confirm current fees and steps with the Lieutenant Governor's office before applying.