Notary Public
South Dakota
Notary Public Commission Requirements
6 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedObtain a notary seal/stamp (rubber, electronic, or embossing) with your name exactly as you will be commissioned
Complete the Notary Public Application and Oath form
Pay the $30 filing fee
Submit the completed application to the South Dakota Secretary of State, Division of General Services, 500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 204, Pierre, SD 57501
Wait for the commission to be processed and issued
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a permanent resident of South Dakota, or a resident of a county bordering South Dakota who maintains a place of work or business in South Dakota
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship not required
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo training course or exam is required, but education is recommended for new notaries before beginning notarial duties.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam is required to become a South Dakota notary public.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredEffective July 1, 2025, the surety bond/Personal Surety Form is no longer required to apply and become a South Dakota Notary Public.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is optional but recommended. Not required by law.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredRubber, electronic, or embossing stamp. Can be circular, square, or rectangular. Must include: name (exactly as commissioned), 'South Dakota', 'Notary Public', and expiration date.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $30 |
Bond Premium Bond no longer required as of July 1, 2025 | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $30 |
Total Estimated Cost Application fee ($30) plus seal (~$30). No bond (eliminated July 1, 2025), no education costs. | $60 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
6 years
Renewal Process
May renew up to 2 months prior to the commission expiration date. Submit renewal application with fee to the Secretary of State.
Renewal Fee
$30
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
South Dakota legalized remote online notarization effective July 1, 2024, when Governor Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 211. The notary must be physically in South Dakota during RON, but the signer can be anywhere.
Additional Requirements
Notary must be physically in South Dakota. Must use tamper-evident electronic notarization system. Audio-visual recording mandatory and must be retained for 10 years. Must verify signer identity through two different methods. Notarial certificate must state the act was done remotely via video communication technology.
Important Notes
What Makes South Dakota Unique
South Dakota recently eliminated its surety bond requirement (effective July 1, 2025), making it one of the most affordable and simplest states for becoming a notary. With no bond, no education, no exam, and a $30 fee, the total cost is approximately $60. South Dakota also has one of the longest commission terms at 6 years.
South Dakota has one of the longest commission terms at 6 years
Bond requirement was eliminated effective July 1, 2025
No education or exam required - one of the simplest application processes
U.S. citizenship is not required
Border county residents who work in SD may also qualify
RON became legal July 1, 2024, with detailed recording and identity proofing requirements