What you need to do to become a notary in Michigan
To become a notary in Michigan, you must be at least 18 years old, a Michigan resident, and able to read and write English. You then take a notary exam through an approved testing vendor, pass it, and submit your process to the Michigan Department of State along with your exam results and a $100 fee. The whole process typically takes four to six weeks from process to receiving your commission.
Michigan does not require you to take a preparatory course before the exam, though many notaries do take one to study the rules. The exam itself covers Michigan notary law, your duties and limitations, and how to handle common notarization situations. You do not need to work for a company or have a sponsor — you can become a notary as an individual.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a Michigan resident, and able to read and write English to sit for the notary exam.
- The exam is administered by private testing vendors approved by the Michigan Department of State, not by the state directly.
- Your notary commission lasts four years and costs $100 to obtain; renewal costs $50 and follows the same exam-and-process process.
- Michigan notaries can notarize documents, take acknowledgments and oaths, and certify copies of certain public records, but cannot give legal information.
Finding and passing the notary exam
The Michigan Department of State maintains a list of approved testing vendors on its website. You contact the vendor directly to schedule your exam — the state does not schedule it for you. Most vendors offer the exam at multiple locations and times, including some evening and weekend slots. The exam costs between $10 and $30 depending on the vendor.
The exam is typically 50 multiple-choice questions covering Michigan Compiled Law Chapter 55 (the notary statute), your powers and restrictions, proper notarization procedures, and ethical rules. You usually have one to two hours to complete it. Most vendors tell you whether you passed when ready after you finish. You need a passing score, which varies slightly by vendor but is usually 70 percent or higher.
If you fail, you can retake the exam. There is no waiting period between attempts, though you will pay the testing fee again. Many people pass on the first try, especially if they study the Michigan notary statute or take a preparatory course beforehand.
Submitting your process to the Michigan Department of State
Once you pass the exam, the testing vendor sends your results to the Michigan Department of State automatically. You then submit your process directly to the state using the form on the Department of State website. You will need your exam results, proof of Michigan residency (a driver's license or utility bill), and payment of the $100 process fee.
Mail or deliver your process packet to the Michigan Department of State, Elections and Notary Section. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. The state will contact you if anything is missing or unclear. Once approved, you receive your notary commission certificate in the mail.
You do not need to post a bond or maintain errors and omissions insurance to become a notary in Michigan, though some employers require it. You also do not need to register with a county or local office — your commission is statewide.
What you can and cannot do as a Michigan notary
As a Michigan notary, you can notarize signatures on documents, take acknowledgments (where a signer confirms they signed a document of their own free will), administer oaths and affirmations, and certify that you have compared a copy of a public record to the original and they match. You can notarize documents for people you know and for strangers.
You cannot notarize a document you are a party to — for example, you cannot notarize your own deed or a promissory note you signed. You cannot give legal information, interpret documents, or tell someone what a document means. You cannot notarize a signature if you have reasonable doubt about the signer's identity or mental state, or if the signer appears to be under duress.
You must keep a notary journal (a record of each notarization you perform) and retain it for at least five years. The journal must include the date, the type of document, the signer's name and address, the signer's form of identification, and your fee. Michigan law does not set a maximum fee, but many notaries charge $5 to $15 per signature.
Your four-year commission and renewal
Your notary commission is valid for four years from the date it is issued. You do not need to renew it before it expires unless you want to continue working as a notary. To renew, you take the exam again, submit a renewal process, and pay a $50 renewal fee. The process is the same as your initial process.
If your commission expires and you do not renew it, you can no longer perform notarizations. If you want to become a notary again later, you start over with the exam and the full $100 process fee.
Working as a notary in Michigan
Many Michigan notaries work part-time or as a side service while employed elsewhere. Banks, law offices, real estate agencies, and title companies often hire notaries. Some notaries work independently and advertise their services locally or online. You can notarize documents at your home, at a client's location, or at a business office — Michigan has no requirement about where notarizations must take place.
If you work for an employer, tell them you are a notary and ask whether they want you to notarize documents as part of your job. Some employers provide notary supplies and cover the commission fee; others expect you to handle it yourself. If you work independently, you will need to purchase a notary seal (a stamp or embosser that marks documents with your name, commission number, and expiration date) and a journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a notary course before the exam?
No. Michigan does not require a preparatory course. However, many people take one to study the notary statute and exam content. Courses are offered online and in person by community colleges, private vendors, and some libraries. They typically cost $20 to $100 and take a few hours to complete.
Can I notarize documents for family members?
Yes, as long as you are not a party to the document. You can notarize a signature for your spouse, child, or parent on a document they are signing, but you cannot notarize a document you also signed or have a financial interest in.
What if I move out of Michigan after I become a notary?
Your Michigan notary commission becomes invalid once you are no longer a Michigan resident. You would need to become a notary in your new state instead. Some states recognize notaries from other states, but Michigan does not have reciprocal agreements that allow out-of-state notaries to work here.
How much can I charge for a notarization?
Michigan law does not set a maximum fee for notarizations. You can charge what you think is fair, though $5 to $15 per signature is typical. Some notaries charge a flat fee per document rather than per signature. You must disclose your fee before you notarize.
Can I notarize a document over video or by mail?
Michigan law requires you to see the signer in person and verify their identity before notarizing. Remote notarization is not permitted under current Michigan law. You cannot notarize a document by mail or video call.