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Notary Public
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
3 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
You must be a legal resident of Iowa (or maintain a place of business there), be at least 18 years old, and be able to read and write English. You cannot have a disqualifying criminal record.
Submit your application to the Iowa Secretary of State. Application fee: $30.
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets Iowa requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $50-$70.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 3 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in Iowa. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in Iowa.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a notary license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education
Not RequiredNo education course required.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required.
Browse Notary Public study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Surety Bond
Not RequiredIowa does not require a notary bond. E&O insurance is strongly recommended.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required but strongly recommended by the state.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary seal/stamp required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $30 |
Bond Premium No bond required | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost Application + seal | $50-$70 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Meet eligibility requirements
Submit application to Secretary of State with $30 fee
Receive commission
Purchase notary seal/stamp
Commission Term
3 years
Renewal Process
SOS provides notice 2 months prior to expiration. Submit new application.
Renewal Fee
$30
Regulatory Board
Iowa authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with Iowa's RON requirements.
What Makes Iowa Unique
Iowa is one of the simplest states with no bond, exam, or education required. The 3-year term is one of the shortest. The application fee is $30. Neighboring states include Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, each with their own notary public requirements.
Iowa is one of the simplest and most affordable states for notary commissioning.
No bond, exam, or education required. Iowa does not impose this requirement on notary publics at the state level.
3-year term is shorter than most states.
SOS provides expiration notice 2 months prior.
Iowa permits Remote Online Notarization (RON), enabling notaries to perform notarizations via audio-video technology for signers located anywhere.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a notary public credential in Iowa.
Notary requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Iowa
See how Iowa compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Iowa.
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Official Sources
Notary requirements in Iowa verified against Iowa Secretary of State, April 2026.
Moving to Iowa? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to Iowa →
Transfer your Notary license from Iowa to: Illinois → | Minnesota → | Missouri → | Nebraska → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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