How to Become a Notary Public in Missouri

This guide covers all requirements, costs, timelines, eligibility criteria, and optional Remote Online Notary (RON) registration.

Steps to Becoming a Notary Public in Missouri

  1. Meet eligibility requirements

  2. Complete an approved notary education course and exam

  3. Submit the application with a $15 filing fee

  4. Obtain a $10,000 surety bond

  5. Receive your commission certificate

  6. Purchase your notary seal and journal

  7. Optionally register as a Remote Online Notary (RON)

  8. Renew every four years

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Missouri Notary Public Process

  • Standard notary commissions last four years.

  • Applicants must complete approved training, pass the exam, obtain a bond, and submit their application.

  • Notaries are authorized to perform acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and certified copies.

  • RON is optional and requires additional steps once commissioned.

Cost to Become a Notary in Missouri

The total cost varies based on required and optional supplies. Below is a cost breakdown:

Item Cost Details
Application Fee $15 Paid upon submission of application
Notary Education & Exam $30–$50 Mandatory for new applicants
$10,000 Surety Bond $35–$60 Required for the four-year commission
Notary Seal/Stamp $15–$35 Must include state-specific details
Notary Journal $10–$50 Required for official recordkeeping
Total Estimated Cost $105–$210+ Varies based on provider selection

Missouri Commission Processing Time

Most applications are processed within 2–3 weeks of submission, assuming all documents are complete.

Missouri Notary Requirements

To qualify as a Notary Public in Missouri, applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Be a resident of Missouri (or a bordering state employed in Missouri)

  • Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

  • Be able to read and write English

  • Not have a felony conviction or prior notary commission revoked within the past 10 years

  • Be of good moral character

Education & Exam

  • Mandatory approved notary education for new applicants

  • Pass the state exam after training

  • Skip training and exam if reapplying with an unexpired commission

Bond, Oath & Application

  • Purchase a $10,000 surety bond

  • Complete the oath as part of the application

  • Submit bond, oath, training certificate, and fee together

  • Once approved, you’ll receive your commission certificate by mail or online

Missouri Notary Supplies

To perform notarizations in Missouri, Notaries need:

  • Notary Seal or Stamp – Seal must include your name, “Notary Public – State of Missouri,” county, commission number, and expiration date.

  • Notary Journal – Journal entries must include date, type of act, name of signer, type of ID, and fee taken.

Renewing an Missouri Notary Commission

Missouri notaries renew every four years:

  • Reapply online or by mail

  • Complete training and exam if commission has expired

  • Purchase new bond and seal if commission number has changed

  • Pay the $15 application fee

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Missouri

After becoming a commissioned notary, you can optionally register as a Remote Online Notary:

  • Complete additional training specific to remote notarization

  • Obtain access to an approved remote notarization platform

  • Maintain electronic journal entries and digital notary seals

  • Follow Missouri’s legal requirements for identity verification and record retention

Conclusion

Becoming a Notary Public in Missouri involves clear steps: eligibility verification, training, bonding, oath taking, and application submission. You’ll be fully capable of conducting official notarizations statewide and may optionally expand services with remote online notarization. Let me know if you’d like this formatted into a script or printable guide!

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