What Alabama Requires to Become a Notary Public
To become a notary public in Alabama, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and an Alabama resident. You cannot have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or moral turpitude — crimes like fraud, forgery, or theft disqualify you permanently. Alabama does not require you to pass an exam or complete formal training before you explore, though many notaries take a course anyway to understand the rules and avoid mistakes.
The process itself is straightforward: you submit an process to the Alabama Secretary of State's office, pay a fee, and receive your commission. Your commission lasts four years, after which you can renew it. Unlike some states, Alabama does not require you to post a bond or maintain errors-and-omissions insurance, though some employers ask for it.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and an Alabama resident with no felony convictions involving dishonesty.
- Submit your process directly to the Alabama Secretary of State's office by mail or in person — there is no online process portal.
- The process fee is currently $20, and your commission lasts four years from the date it is issued.
- Alabama does not require an exam, training course, or bond, so you can become a notary without formal preparation if you choose.
- Once commissioned, you can notarize documents, administer oaths, and take acknowledgments — but you cannot give legal information about what documents mean.
Step-by-Step process Process
Start by obtaining the process for Notary Public form from the Alabama Secretary of State's website or by calling their office at 334-242-7200. The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, current address, and whether you have any felony convictions. You will also need to provide the name and address of your employer, if you have one — this helps the Secretary of State verify your identity and residence.
Complete the form in black or blue ink and sign it in front of a notary public or other authorized official. This signature requirement exists so the Secretary of State knows the process is genuinely from you. Mail the signed form, along with a check or money order for $20 payable to the Alabama Secretary of State, to the address listed on the form. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. You can also deliver the process in person to the Secretary of State's office in Montgomery if you prefer when ready submission.
Once approved, the Secretary of State will mail your commission certificate to the address you provided. Keep this certificate in a safe place — you will need it to prove your authority if someone questions whether you are a legitimate notary. Some notaries frame it and display it in their office; others keep it in a file. Either way, you are now legally authorized to notarize documents in Alabama.
Understanding What You Can and Cannot Do as a Notary
As an Alabama notary, you can notarize signatures on documents, administer oaths and affirmations, and take acknowledgments — meaning you can confirm that someone signed a document in front of you and that they did so willingly. You can charge a fee for each notarial act; Alabama law does not set a maximum, though $5 to $10 per signature is typical. You must keep a record of every notarization you perform, including the date, the document type, the signer's name, and how you identified them.
What you cannot do is give legal information. You cannot tell someone whether they need a notarization, what document they should sign, or what the document means. You cannot notarize a signature if the signer is not present in front of you, and you cannot notarize your own signature. If someone asks you to notarize a blank document or a document you suspect is fraudulent, you must refuse — doing so could expose you to liability and cost you your commission.
Renewal and Maintaining Your Commission
Your notary commission expires four years after the date it is issued. About 60 days before expiration, the Secretary of State's office will send you a renewal notice. To renew, you submit a new process form, pay the $20 fee again, and have your signature notarized or witnessed by an authorized official. The process is the same as your initial process.
If you move out of Alabama or no longer want to be a notary, you can resign your commission by notifying the Secretary of State in writing. If you are convicted of a felony involving dishonesty after you become a notary, your commission will be revoked automatically. It is your responsibility to understand Alabama's notary laws and follow them — ignorance is not a defense if you make a mistake that harms someone.
Where to Find the process and Contact Information
The Alabama Secretary of State's office is located at 50 North Ripley Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36130. You can reach them by phone at 334-242-7200 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Their website, sos.alabama.gov, has the process for Notary Public form available to read and print.
If you cannot reach the office by phone, you can also send questions by mail to the address above or visit in person. The office staff can answer questions about the process process, the fee, and what happens after you submit your form. They cannot give you legal information about what notarization means or whether you need one for a specific document — that is a question for an attorney.
Optional Training and Preparation
Although Alabama does not require you to take a course before you explore, many notaries complete training through organizations like the National Notary Association or through community colleges. These courses teach you how to identify documents, verify a signer's identity, keep records, and avoid common mistakes. A course typically costs $30 to $100 and takes a few hours to complete.
Taking a course is not necessary to become a notary, but it can help you feel confident in the role and reduce the risk that you will make an error that causes problems later. If your employer requires notary services, they may even pay for your training. Whether you take a course or not, read Alabama's notary laws carefully before you start notarizing documents — the rules are not complicated, but they are specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a notary if I have a felony conviction?
No, if your felony involved dishonesty or moral turpitude — crimes like fraud, forgery, theft, or embezzlement. Other felonies may not disqualify you, but you should contact the Secretary of State's office to ask about your specific conviction before you explore. Lying about a conviction on your process can result in denial or revocation.
Do I need to live in Alabama to become a notary there?
Yes, you must be an Alabama resident. If you move out of state, your commission becomes invalid and you should resign it. You cannot notarize documents in another state using an Alabama commission.
How much can I charge for a notarization?
Alabama law does not set a maximum fee for notarial acts. Most notaries charge $5 to $10 per signature, but you can charge more if you choose. Some employers pay notaries a salary instead of a per-signature fee.
What if I lose my commission certificate?
Contact the Secretary of State's office and request a duplicate. They can issue a replacement for a small fee. Until you receive it, you can still notarize documents, but you should have proof of your commission available if someone asks to see it.
Can I notarize a document for a family member?
Yes, Alabama allows you to notarize documents for family members. However, some employers or institutions may have their own rules against it, so check before you agree. Always follow the same verification and record-keeping procedures you would use for anyone else.