How To Become A Notary Public In Minnesota: The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide

To become a notary public in Minnesota, an applicant must submit an application to the Secretary of State, pay a $120 state filing fee, and receive a commission certificate. Before performing any notarial acts, you must record this commission with your county of residence and pay a $20 recording fee. Acquiring a conforming rectangular ink stamp and keeping an active notary journal completes the legally required onboarding process.

The office of a notary public is a position of trust, governed strictly by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 358 and Chapter 359. Notaries act as impartial witnesses to deter fraud, verify identities, and confirm the willingness of signers. Whether you seek to add a credential to your resume, serve your current employer, or start an independent mobile notary business, navigating the licensing process requires precise compliance with state mandates.

Minnesota Notary Prerequisites and Asset Preparation

Before starting the application process, you must verify that you meet the minimum statutory qualifications. While Minnesota does not require potential notaries to pass an exam or complete mandatory education for a traditional commission, you must assemble specific documents, allocate a budget, and secure the proper tools.

Statutory Prerequisites

• Age: You must be at least 18 years of age.
• Residency: You must be a resident of Minnesota, or a resident of a neighboring state (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin) who maintains a principal place of business in the Minnesota county where you apply.
• Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen or a permanent legal resident.
• Legal Record: You must have no history of revoked or suspended notary commissions, and you must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, unless your civil rights have been fully restored.

Asset and Budgetary Checklist

• State Application Fee: $120.00 (payable via credit card online or check via mail).
• County Recording Fee: $20.00 (payable to your local county registrar).
• Official Stamp: $20.00 to $45.00 (must meet exact statutory dimensions).
• Notary Journal: $15.00 to $35.00 (recommended for traditional, mandatory for remote online notarizations).
• Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance: $30.00 to $100.00 annually (optional but highly recommended to protect your personal assets).
• Estimated Processing Time: 7 to 14 business days from submission to county registration.

The Minnesota Notary Commissioning Sequence

To successfully obtain and activate your commission, you must execute the following steps in sequence. Skipping or misordering these steps can invalidate your notarial acts and lead to misdemeanor charges for practicing without a valid commission.

Step 1: Submit the Commission Application to the Secretary of State

You must apply directly to the Minnesota Secretary of State (MN SOS). The most efficient route is utilizing the online licensing portal, though physical mail-in applications are accepted.

1. Access the official Minnesota Secretary of State online licensing portal.
2. Create a user account and select "New Notary Application."
3. Enter your full legal name exactly as you intend to sign documents. This name must match your state-issued identification and will be the exact name printed on your official stamp.
4. Provide your residential address and, if applicable, your business address. Non-residents must provide their Minnesota business address.
5. Answer the background disclosure questions regarding criminal history and previous professional licensing.
6. Digitally sign the oath of office, affirming that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and faithfully discharge the duties of the office.
7. Submit the non-refundable $120.00 application fee using a credit or debit card.

Step 2: Download and Inspect Your Commission Certificate

Once the Secretary of State approves your application—often within 3 to 5 business days for online submissions—you will receive an email notification.

1. Log back into your MN SOS portal account.
2. Locate your active commission file and download your official Commission Certificate.
3. Verify that your name, commission number, commission start date, and commission expiration date are perfectly accurate.
4. Print a physical copy of this certificate. Note that your commission is not yet active for public use; you must first register it at the county level.

Warning: Performing any notarial act after receiving your certificate but before recording your commission with your local county is a misdemeanor under Minnesota law. Any notarizations performed during this gap are legally void.

Step 3: Record Your Commission in Your County of Residence

Minnesota requires all commissioned notaries to record their commission with their local county. If you are a resident, this is your county of residence. If you are a non-resident, this is the Minnesota county where your principal place of business is located.

1. Locate the office responsible for notary registration in your county. This is typically the County Recorder, County Clerk, or the District Court Administrator.
2. Present your printed Commission Certificate, your government-issued photo ID, and the $20.00 county recording fee.
3. Provide two examples of your official signature on the county record books. One signature must match your standard cursive signature, and the other must match your printed legal name as it appears on your commission. This creates a permanent signature specimen for the county to verify if any notarized document is challenged in court.
4. The clerk will stamp your certificate, signifying that your commission is officially active and recorded within that county's jurisdiction.

Step 4: Purchase a Legally Compliant Official Stamp

With your county registration finalized, you can legally purchase your notary stamp. Under Minnesota Statutes § 359.03, the official stamp must meet highly specific structural and visual standards.

1. Order your stamp from a reputable notary supply vendor. Do not use generic office supply templates that do not adhere to Minnesota's layout guidelines.
2. Ensure the stamp is rectangular, measuring no more than 3/4 inch in height by 2-1/2 inches in width.
3. Confirm the stamp contains a border (serrated or straight) enclosing the following mandatory elements:
   
   
   • The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota (or the words "Notary Public").
   • Your exact commission name.
   • The phrase "State of Minnesota."
   • The phrase "My Commission Expires Jan 31, [Year]" (all Minnesota notary commissions expire on January 31 of the fifth year following issuance).
4. Select black ink. While Minnesota law does not explicitly forbid other colors, black ink provides the high contrast necessary for modern courthouse scanning equipment.

Pro-Tip: Always stamp a blank piece of paper first to verify that all letters are perfectly legible, the borders are sharp, and your name is spelled correctly. A blurry or incomplete stamp impression can cause real estate or legal documents to be rejected by county recorders.

Step 5: Establish Your Recordkeeping Protocol

While Minnesota law does not strictly mandate a notary journal for traditional in-person paper notarizations, the Secretary of State and liability experts strongly advise keeping one. If you choose to perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON), a secure electronic journal is legally required.

1. Acquire a permanently bound paper journal with pre-numbered pages for traditional notarizations.
2. For each notarial act, record the date and time, the type of act (e.g., acknowledgment, jurat), a description of the document, the printed name and address of the signer, the method of identity verification (e.g., driver's license details), and the fee charged.
3. Require the signer to place their physical signature next to the entry. This journal acts as your primary legal defense if your notarization is ever questioned in a lawsuit.

Minnesota Notary Commission Specifications and Options

Minnesota notaries have the option to maintain a traditional commission or expand their capabilities by registering to perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON). The following table outlines the operational differences, statutory parameters, and physical requirements between these pathways.

Troubleshooting Common Minnesota Notary Application Failures

Even simple administrative errors can delay your commission or expose you to personal liability. Understanding how to navigate these challenges ensures a seamless transition into your role.

• Failure Scenario 1: County Filing Omission

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The applicant receives their commission certificate from the Secretary of State and immediately begins notarizing documents, unaware that the local county registration step is mandatory.
  • Actionable Fix: Stop all notarial activity immediately. Take your certificate to your county recorder's office, pay the $20 fee, and register your commission. You must re-notarize any documents signed during the unrecorded gap, as those previous acts are legally invalid.

• Failure Scenario 2: Non-Compliant Stamp Layout

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: Ordering a custom stamp from an online novelty vendor that uses an oval shape or omits the state seal/required text elements.
  • Actionable Fix: Do not use the non-compliant stamp. Destroy it and order a new stamp from a certified notary supply house that explicitly guarantees compliance with Minnesota Statutes § 359.03. Ensure it is rectangular, measures 3/4" x 2-1/2" or less, and contains all required phrasing.

• Failure Scenario 3: Legal Name Discrepancies

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The applicant files under a common nickname (e.g., "Bob Smith") but their official government-issued ID lists their legal name (e.g., "Robert J. Smith").
  • Actionable Fix: File an amendment with the Minnesota Secretary of State to update your commission name to match your official identification. Do not purchase a stamp or perform notarizations until your commission name aligns perfectly with your driver's license or passport.

• Failure Scenario 4: Non-Resident Address Changes

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: A notary living in Wisconsin but working in Minnesota changes employers, moving their principal place of business to a different Minnesota county without updating their registration.
  • Actionable Fix: You must update your address profile on the MN SOS portal within 30 days of the change. If your new principal place of business is in a different Minnesota county, you must also register your commission with the new county recorder to maintain compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to purchase a surety bond to become a notary in Minnesota?

No. Unlike many other states, Minnesota does not require notary public applicants to purchase or maintain a surety bond. However, you remain personally liable for any financial damages caused by your negligence or misconduct, which is why purchasing Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is strongly recommended.

How long does it take to get approved as a notary public in Minnesota?

The processing time varies depending on the submission method. If you apply online through the Minnesota Secretary of State portal and pay with a credit card, your application is typically processed within 3 to 5 business days. Once approved, you can complete your county registration in person, meaning the entire process can be completed in under a week.

What are the fees that a Minnesota notary can legally charge?

Under Minnesota Statutes § 357.17, the maximum fee a notary public may charge for a standard notarial act is $5.00 per signature. If you perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON), the maximum statutory fee is $25.00 per notarial act. You may charge an additional, reasonable travel fee for mobile notary services, provided the signer agrees to the travel fee in advance.

Can a Minnesota notary perform marriages?

No. Unlike some states where notaries are authorized to solemnize marriages, Minnesota notaries public do not have this authority by virtue of their commission. Marriages in Minnesota must be performed by ordained ministers, judges, or designated court administrators.

Secure Your Minnesota Notary Commission Today

Becoming a notary public in Minnesota is a valuable professional asset that enhances your administrative capabilities and opens new business avenues. Begin your application today on the Minnesota Secretary of State portal to establish your credentials as an official of the state.