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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.
6 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 South Dakota (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 South Dakota Secretary of State. Application fee: $30.
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets South Dakota requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $50-$70.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 6 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in South Dakota. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Applicant must provide a South Dakota physical residence address. If residing in an out-of-state county bordering South Dakota, must provide an Employer/Business Name and South Dakota business address.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent 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.
Compare top-rated notary education providers in South Dakota.
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Surety Bond
Not RequiredBond eliminated effective July 1, 2025 (HB 1133). Previously $5,000.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary seal required. Can be rubber, electronic, or embossing stamp. Must include name, 'Notary Public', and 'South Dakota'.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $30 |
Bond Premium Bond no longer required as of July 1, 2025 | 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.
Submit application with $30 fee to SOS to South Dakota Secretary of State
Receive commission
Purchase notary seal/stamp
Obtain the required surety bond and file it with South Dakota Secretary of State
Commission Term
6 years
Renewal Process
Submit new application before expiration.
Renewal Fee
$30
Regulatory Board
South Dakota authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with SD RON requirements.
What Makes South Dakota Unique
South Dakota commissions notaries public. The application fee is $30. Neighboring states include Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, each with their own notary public requirements.
Bond requirement eliminated effective July 1, 2025.
6-year commission term.
No exam or education required. South Dakota does not impose this requirement on notary publics at the state level.
Very simple application process.
South Dakota 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 South Dakota.
Notary requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in South Dakota
See how South Dakota compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare notary requirements across all states →
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How does South Dakota compare to other states for notary? See the full comparison →
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Official Sources
Notary requirements in South Dakota verified against South Dakota Secretary of State, April 2026.
Moving to South Dakota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to South Dakota →
Transfer your Notary license from South Dakota to: Iowa → | Minnesota → | Montana → | Nebraska → | North Dakota → | Wyoming →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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