Notary Public
Utah
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
Yes
Exam Required
61 out of 65 points
$5,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedMeet eligibility requirements (18+, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, Utah resident or employed in state for 30+ days, able to read/write/understand English)
Study using the official Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook (free from notary.utah.gov)
Create an account at secure.utah.gov/notary
Take and pass the 35-question exam (need 61 of 65 points); pay $95 fee immediately upon completion
Submit to mandatory background check (no notification when complete)
Obtain $5,000 notarial surety bond (name must match application exactly)
Have Oath of Office notarized by another notary
Upload bond and notarized Oath of Office to complete the application
Receive Certificate of Authority via email
Purchase purple-inked rectangular notary stamp meeting state specifications
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must lawfully reside in the State of Utah or be employed in the state for at least 30 days prior to applying. Must maintain permanent residency or employment thereafter.
Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Background Check
Mandatory background check required since November 1, 2019. Submitted as part of the online application process.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo formal training or education course is mandated. The state provides an official study guide and handbook for exam preparation. Optional courses are available from the NNA and other providers.
Exam
RequiredMust pass a 35 multiple-choice question exam worth a total of 65 points. Minimum score of 61 points required to pass. Exam results are provided immediately upon payment of the $95 fee. Retakes within 30 days cost $40; after 30 days, the full $95 fee applies again.
Passing score: 61 out of 65 points
Administered by: Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office (online at secure.utah.gov/notary)
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$5,000
$5,000 notarial surety bond for the 4-year commission term. The name on the bond must match the application exactly. Bond must be uploaded as part of the online application process.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot legally required but strongly recommended by the state.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredPurple-inked rectangular stamp required, no larger than 1" x 2.5". Must display the notary's name, 'Notary Public', 'State of Utah', commission expiration date, commission number, and the state seal. An embosser may supplement the inked stamp but cannot serve as the sole seal.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $95 (testing/administration fee, non-refundable) |
Bond Premium Approximate premium for $5,000 surety bond. Actual cost varies by surety company. | $40 |
Stamp / Seal Approximate cost for purple-inked rectangular stamp; purchased from private vendors | $30 |
Total Estimated Cost $95 exam/application + $40 surety bond + $30 seal + $20 oath notarization | $185 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Retake the exam and reapply through the online portal. Must obtain new bond and oath.
Renewal Fee
$95 (retesting fee) or $40 (if within 30 days of previous test)
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote online notarization is permitted in Utah. Applicants must first hold an active traditional notary commission before applying for RON privileges.
Additional Requirements
Must hold active traditional notary commission first
Important Notes
What Makes Utah Unique
Utah is notable for requiring purple ink on notary stamps - one of the only states with a specific ink color requirement. The exam has a very high passing threshold of approximately 94% (61/65 points). The state is one of the few where notaries are commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor rather than the Secretary of State.
Utah is administered by the Lieutenant Governor's Office, not the Secretary of State.
The exam has a high passing threshold: 61 out of 65 points (approximately 94%).
Utah uniquely requires PURPLE ink for the notary stamp.
Background check has been mandatory since November 1, 2019.
The 30-day residency/employment requirement before applying is specific and unique.
Free study materials are provided by the state (study guide and Utah Code statute).
Retake exam within 30 days for $40; after 30 days, full $95 fee again.