How To Become A Notary In ND: Complete Step-by-Step Commissioning Guide

To become a notary public in North Dakota, applicants must complete an online application through the Secretary of State's FirstStop portal, obtain a $7,500 surety bond, and pass the state-administered notary examination with a score of 80% or higher. Approved commissions remain active for six years and grant state-wide authority to perform legal acknowledgments, jurats, and oath administrations.

Prerequisites, Mandatory Bond, and Cost Framework

Obtaining a Notary Public commission in North Dakota is governed by North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 44-06.1 under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). Before initiating the application process, candidates must meet clear statutory qualification criteria, secure financial indemnification, and allocate funds for state fees and authorized equipment.

Essential Qualification Criteria

• Age and Legal Status: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and either a legal United States citizen or a permanent resident alien.
• Residency or Employment: Must be a bona fide resident of North Dakota or a resident of a state contiguous to North Dakota (Minnesota, Montana, or South Dakota) who maintains a place of employment or operates a business within North Dakota borders.
• Language Proficiency: Must be able to read, write, and understand the English language proficiently.
• Legal Background: Must have no felony convictions or disqualifying misdemeanor convictions involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit, unless civil rights have been fully restored.

Required Materials and Initial Investment Setup

• Mandatory $7,500 Surety Bond: A executed surety bond issued by an insurance company licensed to write surety business in North Dakota. The bond protects the public against financial loss stemming from improper or negligent notarizations.
• Self-Inking or Pre-Inked Official Stamp: An official rubber stamp configured strictly to North Dakota Secretary of State dimensional and text specifications.
• Official Notary Journal: A permanently bound journal with numbered pages to record all completed notarial acts for liability mitigation and record keeping.
• FirstStop Account Access: A verified account on the North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop online portal to handle submission, examination, payment, and maintenance.

Financial and Timeline Benchmarks

• Application Processing Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable state fee paid via credit or debit card).
• $7,500 Surety Bond Premium: $40.00 to $70.00 (one-time payment covering the 6-year term).
• Official Notary Stamp & Journal: $30.00 to $60.00 depending on vendor and customization options.
• Estimated Turnaround Time: 7 to 14 business days from initial online submission to final approval.

Step-by-Step North Dakota Notary Commissioning Workflow

[Create ND SOS Account] ➔ [Purchase $7,500 Bond] ➔ [Pass Online Exam] ➔ [Submit Application & $50 Fee] ➔ [Receive Commission & Order Stamp]

Step 1: Establish Your FirstStop Portal Account

The North Dakota Secretary of State (ND SOS) processes all notary applications electronically. Physical paper applications are no longer accepted for standard processing.

1. Navigate to the North Dakota FirstStop portal.
2. Select "Create Account" if you do not already possess a North Dakota Login ID (ND Login).
3. Fill in your primary legal name, email address, physical address, and contact phone number.
4. Verify your email address using the confirmation link sent to your inbox to activate the account.

Pro-Tip: The name used to establish your FirstStop account must match your official government-issued identification (Driver's License or Passport) exactly. Discrepancies between your account name, bond name, and stamp name will cause automatic rejection during state review.

Step 2: Acquire the $7,500 Surety Bond

North Dakota law mandates that every notary public maintain a $7,500 surety bond for the entire duration of their six-year commission term.

1. Contact an authorized surety agency, insurance provider, or notary supply vendor licensed in North Dakota.
2. Purchase a $7,500 Notary Public Bond valid for a 6-year term.
3. Verify that your name on the bond document matches your legal application name letter-for-letter.
4. Sign the bond as the Principal. The document must also bear the signature of the authorized attorney-in-fact for the insurance company.
5. Save a digital copy (PDF) of the fully executed bond document for submission.

Warning: A surety bond is not insurance for the notary. It is financial protection for the public. If a client suffers damages due to your misconduct or error, the surety company pays the claim up to $7,500 but will legally seek full reimbursement from you personally.

Step 3: Complete the State Educational Course and Exam

First-time applicants and renewing notaries must pass the North Dakota Notary Public Examination administered directly within the FirstStop system.

1. Log into FirstStop, select "Notary Public", and initiate a new commission application.
2. Review the educational materials embedded in the portal. These modules cover NDCC 44-06.1 laws, notary duties, acceptable signers' identification, certificates, and fee caps.
3. Begin the online, open-book examination.
4. Answer the multiple-choice questions assessing your understanding of authorized acts, prohibited practices, and legal liabilities.
5. Achieve a passing score of 80% or higher. The portal grades the exam instantly upon completion. If you fail, you may retake the test within the system.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application and Pay the State Fee

Once the examination is passed, the system unlocks the remaining fields of the application workflow.

1. Enter your physical residential address, business address, and telephone numbers.
2. If residing in a contiguous state (MN, MT, or SD), provide your North Dakota business address and employer contact information.
3. Upload the PDF scan of your signed, executed $7,500 surety bond.
4. Complete the background questionnaire regarding past legal judgments, criminal charges, or professional license revocations.
5. Digitally sign the application affidavit affirming that all statements are true under penalty of perjury.
6. Pay the non-refundable $50.00 application fee using a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card.

Step 5: Receive Commission and Purchase Official Seal Stamp

Upon administrative approval by the Secretary of State, your commission certificate is generated and made available in your online portal.

1. Download and print your official Certificate of Commission from FirstStop. Note your exact Commission Expiration Date and Commission Number.
2. Purchase an official rubber stamp from an accredited manufacturer. The stamp must conform to North Dakota legal specifications:
   
   
   • Must be a rubber stamp (embossers are not acceptable as primary seals).
   • Must use black ink.
   • Must be rectangular or circular.
   • Must contain the text: "Notary Public", "State of North Dakota", your name as commissioned, and "My Commission Expires [Date]".
3. Acquire a notary journal to document date, time, type of act, signer's name, identification verified, and fee charged for every transaction.

North Dakota Notary Technical Requirements & Financial Specifications

The following table outlines the quantitative thresholds, legal bounds, and technical requirements set by the North Dakota Secretary of State:

Application Rejections & Verification Remedies

Application delays or outright rejections by the North Dakota Secretary of State typically stem from administrative oversights, documentation discrepancies, or mechanical stamp errors.

Scenario 1: Name Mismatch Across Documents

• Root Cause: The applicant's name on the $7,500 surety bond differs from the name submitted on the FirstStop application (e.g., "Robert John Smith" on the bond vs. "Bob Smith" on the application).
• Actionable Fix: Request a Bond Rider or amended bond from your surety carrier reflecting your exact legal commission name. Upload the corrected document to your FirstStop application portal before final processing.

Scenario 2: Examination Failure or Incomplete Modules

• Root Cause: Submitting the application without scoring at least 80% on the state exam or skipping required educational sections inside FirstStop.
• Actionable Fix: Re-enter the training module via FirstStop, review NDCC 44-06.1 study materials, and retake the exam. The portal permits immediate retakes until the required passing score is met.

Scenario 3: Stamp Impression Is Illegal or Unreadable

• Root Cause: The notary purchases a stamp that uses blue or red ink, contains abbreviations not permitted by statute, or omits border lines.
• Actionable Fix: Immediately cease using non-compliant stamps. Order a replacement self-inking stamp from a reputable vendor ensuring black ink, complete statutory text ("Notary Public", "State of North Dakota"), and exact commission expiration dates.

Scenario 4: Non-Resident Work Verification Omission

• Root Cause: An applicant living in Minnesota, Montana, or South Dakota applies without establishing proof of employment within North Dakota.
• Actionable Fix: Upload an official letter of employment on company letterhead or business registration documents proving a physical commercial presence or workplace within North Dakota borders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to become a notary public in North Dakota?

The baseline cost to become a North Dakota notary is between $120 and $180. This includes the non-refundable $50 state application fee, $40 to $70 for the mandatory $7,500 surety bond, and $30 to $60 for an official black-ink stamp and record-keeping journal.

Can a North Dakota notary perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON)?

Yes. North Dakota authorizes Remote Online Notarization under NDCC 44-06.1-11.1. Active North Dakota notaries must choose a state-compliant RON technology provider and notify the Secretary of State through the FirstStop portal prior to performing electronic notarizations using audio-visual communications.

How long is a North Dakota notary commission valid?

A North Dakota notary public commission is valid for exactly six years from the date of issuance. Renewal applications should be submitted online through the FirstStop system 30 to 60 days before the existing commission expires to avoid a lapse in authority.

What is the maximum fee a North Dakota notary can charge?

Under North Dakota law, a notary public may charge a maximum fee of $5.00 per notarization act (such as taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath, or witnessing a signature). Travel fees may be assessed separately if agreed upon by the notary and client in advance.

Is a notary journal mandatory in North Dakota?

While North Dakota law does not strictly mandate journals for traditional paper notarizations, maintaining a journal is considered standard professional practice. It serves as crucial legal evidence to protect the notary in the event of future fraud claims, identity theft disputes, or legal audits.

Launch Your North Dakota Notary Practice Today

Completing your North Dakota notary application provides a vital legal service for your employer, community, and commercial clients. Get started today by securing your statutory $7,500 bond and completing your application on the official North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop portal.