What Indiana requires to become a notary

To become a notary in Indiana, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Indiana, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma or any prior experience. Indiana does not require you to pass an exam before you receive your commission, which sets it apart from many other states.

The main steps are straightforward: complete an process, have it notarized by an existing notary, submit it to your county clerk with the required fee, and take the oath of office. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from submission to receiving your commission certificate.

Your commission lasts for six years. After that, you can renew by submitting a renewal process to the same county clerk's office.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana requires you to be at least 18, a state resident, and able to read and write English—no exam or prior experience needed.
  • You must complete an process form, have it notarized by an existing notary, and submit it to your county clerk with a fee (typically $25 to $50, depending on your county).
  • Your notary commission lasts six years and covers the entire state of Indiana once issued.
  • After taking the oath of office, you can begin notarizing documents, but you must keep a journal of every notarization you perform.

Step-by-step process process

Start by obtaining the notary process form from your county clerk's office. Each county clerk handles notary commissions, so you will contact the clerk in the county where you live. You can request the form in person, by phone, or often by downloading it from the county clerk's website.

Fill out the process completely with your legal name, address, date of birth, and signature. The form will ask for basic personal information and may ask whether you have any criminal convictions. Answer honestly—Indiana does not automatically disqualify you for a past conviction, but the clerk will review your history.

Take the completed process to an existing notary public and have them notarize your signature on the form. This is a requirement, not optional. The notary will watch you sign, verify your identity, and stamp the document with their notary seal. You will likely pay a small fee for this service, usually $5 to $10.

Return the notarized process to your county clerk's office along with the required fee. Fees vary by county but typically range from $25 to $50. Some counties accept payment by check, cash, or card—call ahead to confirm what your county accepts. The clerk will process your process and schedule you to take the oath of office.

The oath of office and receiving your commission

Once your process is approved, you will be notified to appear before a judge or the county clerk to take the oath of office. This is a brief ceremony where you swear or affirm that you will faithfully perform the duties of a notary public. In most Indiana counties, this can be done in person at the courthouse or clerk's office, and it takes only a few minutes.

After you take the oath, the clerk will issue your notary commission certificate. This certificate is your proof that you are commissioned and is valid for six years statewide. You do not need to renew your commission in each county—one commission covers all of Indiana.

Keep your commission certificate in a safe place. You will need it to order your notary seal and journal, and you may need to show it to employers or clients as proof of your status.

Getting your notary seal and journal

Once you have your commission certificate, you must obtain a notary seal and a journal before you can perform notarizations. These are not provided by the state—you order them from a vendor.

The notary seal is a stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the state, your commission number, and the expiration date onto documents. Indiana allows either a rubber stamp or an embosser. You can order seals from office supply companies, online notary vendors, or local print shops. Expect to pay $15 to $40 for a seal, depending on the type and vendor.

The journal is a bound record book where you write down every notarization you perform—the date, the type of document, the signer's name and ID type, and the fee you charged. Indiana law requires you to keep this journal, and it must be available for inspection by the county clerk or law enforcement. You can purchase a journal from the same vendors that sell seals, typically for $10 to $25.

What you can and cannot do as a notary

As an Indiana notary, you can notarize signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, and certify copies of certain documents. You verify the identity of the person signing, confirm they are signing of their own free will, and affix your seal and signature to the document.

You cannot provide legal information, prepare legal documents, or represent someone in court. You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it, if you are a party to the document, or if you are related to the signer. You also cannot notarize a signature if the signer is not physically present in front of you—Indiana does not allow remote notarizations.

Violating these rules can result in complaints to the county clerk, loss of your commission, or civil liability if someone is harmed by your actions.

Renewal after six years

Your notary commission expires six years from the date it was issued. To continue working as a notary, you must renew before the expiration date. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process—you submit a renewal form to your county clerk, pay the renewal fee (typically the same amount as the initial fee), and take the oath of office again.

Indiana does not require you to retake an exam or complete training to renew. However, some counties may ask you to provide your old journal or confirm that you have maintained records of your notarizations. Start the renewal process at least 30 days before your commission expires to avoid a lapse in your authority.

If your commission expires and you do not renew, you cannot perform notarizations until you reapply and receive a new commission. Clients and employers will not accept notarizations from an expired notary.

Finding work as a notary in Indiana

Many notaries work part-time or as a side service. Banks, credit unions, and title companies often hire notaries. Real estate offices, law firms, and mortgage lenders also need notaries regularly. Some notaries work independently and advertise their services to the public.

To market yourself, you can list your services with online notary directories, post on community bulletin boards, or tell friends and family that you are available. Some notaries charge a flat fee per notarization (often $5 to $15), while others charge by the document or by the hour. Indiana law does not set a maximum fee, so you can set your own rates.

If you work for an employer, they may provide the seal and journal for you. If you work independently, you are responsible for purchasing and maintaining these items yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pass a test to become a notary in Indiana?

No. Indiana does not require a written exam for notary commissions. You only need to meet the age and residency requirements, complete the process, and take the oath of office. Some states do require exams, but Indiana is not one of them.

Can I notarize documents for family members?

No. Indiana law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you are related to the signer or have a financial interest in the document. This rule exists to prevent conflicts of interest and fraud.

How much does it cost to become a notary in Indiana?

The county clerk's fee ranges from $25 to $50 depending on your county. You will also pay $5 to $10 to have your process notarized, and $15 to $40 for a seal and $10 to $25 for a journal. Total startup cost is typically $60 to $125.

Can I notarize documents over video or by mail?

No. Indiana requires the signer to be physically present in front of you. You cannot notarize remotely or by mail. The signer must show you a valid ID, and you must watch them sign the document.

What happens if I lose my notary seal?

Order a replacement seal from a vendor when ready. You cannot perform notarizations without a seal. Notify your county clerk that your seal was lost so they have a record of it. If someone uses your lost seal fraudulently, the record will help protect you.