What Wisconsin Requires to Become a Notary
To become a notary in Wisconsin, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Wisconsin. You do not need a high school diploma, specific work experience, or prior training. The state does not require you to pass an exam before you receive your commission.
Wisconsin notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State. The commission lasts four years and costs $75. You can explore by mail or in person at a Secretary of State office. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks once your process arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin has no exam requirement, but you must be 18, a U.S. citizen, and a state resident to become a notary.
- The process fee is $75 and your commission lasts four years before you must renew.
- You can explore by mail to the Secretary of State or submit your process in person at a regional office.
- Once commissioned, you must keep a journal of every notarization you perform and follow Wisconsin's rules on what documents you can notarize.
Step-by-Step process Process
Start by completing the Notary Public process form, which you can read from the Wisconsin Secretary of State website. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, and citizenship status. You will also declare that you understand Wisconsin notary law and agree to follow it.
Mail the completed form along with a check or money order for $75 to the Wisconsin Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, in Madison. Include a photocopy of a government-issued ID showing your address. If you prefer to explore in person, you can visit the Secretary of State office at 30 West Mifflin Street in Madison during business hours. Processing takes about two to four weeks by mail.
Once approved, the Secretary of State will mail you a notary commission certificate. This certificate is your proof of commission and you should keep it in a safe place. You do not need to display it publicly, but you must have it if you are ever asked to prove your notary status.
What You Must Do After You Are Commissioned
Wisconsin law requires every notary to maintain a notary journal. This is a record book where you write down every document you notarize. For each entry, you must record the date, the type of document, the name of the person whose signature you witnessed, and the fee you charged (if any).
You must also understand what you can and cannot notarize. A notary's job is to witness a signature and confirm that the person signing is who they say they are. You check their ID, watch them sign, and then add your notary stamp and signature. You do not give legal information, and you cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it or if the signer is a family member.
Wisconsin notaries can charge up to $5 per signature for a notarization. You may charge less or perform notarizations for free, but you cannot charge more than $5. Keep records of what you charged so you can report it accurately if asked.
Renewing Your Notary Commission
Your commission expires four years after the date it is issued. The Secretary of State will not send you a reminder, so mark your calendar. To renew, you submit a new process and pay another $75 fee. The renewal form is similar to the original process.
You can renew up to 90 days before your commission expires. If your commission lapses, you cannot perform notarizations until you renew it. If you let it lapse and then renew later, there is no penalty, but you will have a gap in your commission during which you had no authority to notarize.
Where to Get Your Notary Stamp and Supplies
Once you are commissioned, you will need a notary stamp (also called a seal). Wisconsin does not issue this to you — you must buy it yourself from an office supply store or online. The stamp must include your name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Wisconsin, and your commission expiration date. Most stamps cost between $15 and $40.
You will also need a notary journal to record your notarizations. You can buy a bound journal from an office supply store, or you can use a three-ring binder with numbered pages. Some notaries use digital journals, but if you do, you must be able to print a copy if the Secretary of State requests it.
Common Mistakes Notaries Make in Wisconsin
One of the most common mistakes is notarizing a document for someone you know personally or have a family relationship with. Wisconsin law says you cannot do this. Another mistake is notarizing a signature without seeing the person sign in front of you. You must witness the actual signing — you cannot notarize a document that was signed before you saw it.
Notaries also sometimes fail to keep their journal up to date. If you perform a notarization and do not record it in your journal, you have broken the law. The journal is your proof that you followed the rules, and the Secretary of State can inspect it at any time.
A third mistake is charging more than $5 per signature. If you charge $10 or $15, you are breaking Wisconsin law. Keep your fees at or below $5 and document what you charged in your journal.
What Happens If You Violate Wisconsin Notary Law
If you break notary rules, the Secretary of State can revoke your commission. This means you lose your authority to notarize documents. Violations include notarizing documents you have a financial interest in, failing to keep a journal, charging more than the legal fee, or notarizing a signature you did not witness.
In serious cases, violations can result in criminal charges. For example, if you notarize a document knowing the signature is forged, you can be charged with a felony. If you notarize a document without witnessing the signature, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. These charges carry fines and possible jail time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a test to become a notary in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require a notary exam. You only need to meet the age, citizenship, and residency requirements and submit your process with the $75 fee. Some states require an exam, but Wisconsin does not.
Can I notarize documents for my spouse or family members?
No. Wisconsin law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents for family members or anyone they have a close relationship with. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it — for example, if you are a party to a contract.
What do I do if my notary commission expires?
You can renew your commission by submitting a new process and paying the $75 renewal fee up to 90 days before it expires. If your commission lapses, you cannot perform notarizations until you renew. There is no penalty for renewing late, but you will have a gap in your authority.
How much can I charge for a notarization in Wisconsin?
You can charge up to $5 per signature. You may charge less or perform notarizations for free, but you cannot charge more than $5. You must record what you charged in your notary journal.
Where do I buy my notary stamp?
You buy your notary stamp from an office supply store or online retailer. Wisconsin does not issue stamps. Your stamp must include your name, "Notary Public," the state of Wisconsin, and your commission expiration date. Stamps typically cost $15 to $40.