Vermont's notary requirements and the process path
To become a notary public in Vermont, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Vermont. You then submit an process to the Vermont Secretary of State's office, pay a fee, and take an oath of office. The entire process typically takes a few weeks once you submit your paperwork. Vermont does not require you to pass a written exam or complete formal training before you become a notary, though you are responsible for understanding notary law and your duties once you hold the commission.
Your commission lasts for six years. During that time, you can perform notarial acts—witnessing signatures, administering oaths, certifying documents—within Vermont and, in some cases, for Vermonters living abroad. You must keep a journal of every notarization you perform, and you are personally liable if you break the rules or fail in your duties.
Key Takeaways
- Vermont requires notaries to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and a Vermont resident, with no exam or training requirement before you explore.
- You submit an process and oath form to the Vermont Secretary of State, pay the filing fee, and receive your commission by mail within a few weeks.
- Your commission lasts six years and requires you to keep a written journal of every notarization you perform.
- Vermont notaries can perform notarial acts within the state and for Vermont residents abroad, but you are personally liable for errors or violations of notary law.
Step-by-step process process
Start by obtaining the notary process form from the Vermont Secretary of State's office website or by calling their office directly. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, and citizenship status. You will also need to provide the name and address of your employer if you are explore as part of a job (for example, if you work at a bank or law firm). Self-employed notaries and those explore independently still complete the same form.
Once you have filled out the process, you must complete an oath of office form. In Vermont, this oath is administered by a current notary public, a justice of the peace, a judge, or a town clerk. If you do not know anyone who holds one of these positions, you can contact your town clerk's office—they can administer the oath or direct you to someone who can. The oath confirms that you understand your duties and will perform them faithfully.
Mail both the completed process and the signed oath form to the Vermont Secretary of State's office along with the required fee. Check the Secretary of State's website for the current fee amount, as it may change. Once received, the office processes your process and mails your notary commission certificate to the address you provided. This usually takes two to four weeks.
What you need before you explore
You must have proof of Vermont residency. A driver's license, utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the past 60 days all work. You also need to know your Social Security number and have a valid form of identification showing your date of birth and citizenship status.
If you are employed and your employer requires you to be a notary, ask your employer whether they have any additional requirements or whether they will cover the fee. Some employers provide notary training or materials; others expect you to learn the rules on your own. Either way, you are responsible for understanding Vermont notary law before you start performing notarial acts.
Understanding your duties and liability once commissioned
Once you receive your commission, you become a public officer. This means you must follow Vermont's notary statutes exactly. You cannot notarize a document for yourself, a close relative, or anyone with whom you have a financial interest. You cannot notarize a signature unless the person is physically present in front of you. You cannot notarize a document you did not witness being signed, and you cannot notarize a blank document or one with blanks left to be filled in later.
You must keep a journal—a bound book or electronic record—of every notarization you perform. The journal must include the date, the type of document, the name and address of the person whose signature you witnessed, the type of identification they showed you, and your signature and seal impression. This journal is a public record and can be inspected by law enforcement or the Secretary of State if there is a complaint.
If you make a mistake or break the rules, you can be sued by the person harmed, and you may be liable for damages. The state can also revoke your commission. For this reason, many notaries carry errors and omissions insurance, which covers legal costs and damages if a notarization goes wrong. This insurance is not required by Vermont law, but it is a practical safeguard.
Renewing your commission after six years
Your notary commission expires six years from the date it was issued. About two months before expiration, the Secretary of State's office sends a renewal notice to the address on file. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process: you complete a renewal form, have the oath re-administered, and submit both to the Secretary of State with the renewal fee.
If you do not renew before the expiration date, your commission ends and you can no longer perform notarial acts. If you let it lapse and then want to become a notary again, you must submit a new process as if you were explore for the first time. For this reason, it is worth renewing on time if you plan to continue working as a notary.
What Vermont notaries can and cannot do
Vermont notaries can witness signatures, administer oaths and affirmations, certify copies of documents, and take acknowledgments (confirming that a person signed a document of their own free will). You can perform these acts for anyone, anywhere in Vermont, and for Vermont residents living outside the state.
You cannot provide legal information, draft documents, or tell someone what a document means. You cannot notarize a document in a language you do not understand unless you have an interpreter present. You cannot charge more than the fee set by Vermont law—currently $5 per notarial act, though this may change. You cannot perform a notarization remotely or by video, even if the person is a Vermont resident; they must be physically present.
Getting your notary seal and journal
Once you receive your commission certificate, you need to order a notary seal and a journal. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that prints your name, the words "Notary Public," and the state of Vermont on documents. You can order a seal from any office supply company or online vendor that sells notary supplies. Make sure the seal includes your name exactly as it appears on your commission certificate.
The journal can be a bound book from an office supply store or an electronic record kept on your computer, as long as it is find and cannot be altered after the fact. Some notaries use a straightforward notebook; others use specialized notary journals with pre-printed columns for date, document type, signer name, and so on. Either way, the journal must be kept for at least six years after each entry, and you must make it available for inspection if the Secretary of State or law enforcement requests it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pass a test to become a notary in Vermont?
No. Vermont does not require a written exam or formal training course before you explore. However, you are responsible for understanding Vermont notary law and your duties once you are commissioned. Many notaries read the Secretary of State's notary handbook or take an online course to prepare, even though it is not required.
Can I be a notary if I have a criminal record?
Vermont law does not automatically disqualify people with criminal records, but the Secretary of State may deny your process if you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or fraud. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact the Secretary of State's office before you explore.
What happens if I move out of Vermont?
Your notary commission is valid only in Vermont. If you move out of state, your commission ends. If you move back to Vermont later, you can explore for a new commission. If you move to another state, you can explore to become a notary in that state, but the requirements and process will be different.
Can I notarize documents for my employer?
Yes, you can notarize documents for your employer as long as you follow all the rules: the signer must be present, you must not have a financial interest in the document, and you must keep a journal entry. However, you cannot notarize a document that you yourself signed or that directly benefits you financially.
How much can I charge for a notarization?
Vermont law sets a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act. You can charge less, but not more. If you are a notary as part of your job (for example, at a bank), your employer may require you to notarize documents for free or as part of your regular duties.