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How to become a notary public in Minnesota. Commission term: Holds office until January 31 of the fifth year following the year the commission was issued. Verified 2026-04-02. Data verified 2026-04-02. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Notary Public
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Holds office until January 31 of the fifth year following the year the commission was issued
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 Minnesota (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 Minnesota Secretary of State. Application fee: $120 (non-refundable, payable to Secretary of State) + $20 (county recording fee).
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets Minnesota requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $160-$180.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for Holds office until January 31 of the fifth year following the year the commission was issued. You can then begin performing notarial acts in Minnesota. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a Minnesota resident or a resident of a bordering state (IA, ND, SD, WI).
Citizenship
No specific citizenship requirement stated
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 RequiredNo bond required in Minnesota.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required. Optional E&O insurance for personal protection.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary stamp required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $120 (non-refundable, payable to Secretary of State) + $20 (county recording fee) |
Bond Premium No bond required | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost SOS fee + county fee + seal | $160-$180 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Submit application to SOS with $120 fee
Register commission with county ($20 fee)
Receive commission
Purchase notary stamp
Commission Term
Holds office until January 31 of the fifth year following the year the commission was issued
Renewal Process
Submit new application with fees before expiration.
Renewal Fee
$120 (non-refundable, payable to Secretary of State) + $20 (county recording fee)
Regulatory Board
Minnesota authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with Minnesota's RON requirements.
What Makes Minnesota Unique
$120 SOS fee confirmed; January 31 of the fifth year expiration confirmed per MN Statute 359.02.
Minnesota has a relatively high commission fee of $120.
No bond, exam, or education required.
Allows residents of bordering states (IA, ND, SD, WI).
All commissions expire January 31 of the 5th year.
Notary requirements in nearby states
| State | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (you) | 4–17 wks | |
| Iowa | 4–17 wks | → |
| North Dakota | 4–17 wks | → |
| South Dakota | 4–17 wks | → |
| Wisconsin | 4–17 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Minnesota
See how Minnesota compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Moving to Minnesota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to Minnesota →
Transfer your Notary license from Minnesota to: Iowa → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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