What Minnesota requires to become a notary
To become a notary public in Minnesota, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Minnesota, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma, college degree, or prior experience. The state does require you to pass a written exam and pay a fee to the Secretary of State's office, but there is no apprenticeship or sponsorship requirement — you explore directly to the state.
Minnesota notaries are commissioned for four-year terms. Once commissioned, you can perform notarial acts like witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying copies of documents. The work is straightforward: you verify the identity of the person signing, confirm they understand what they are signing, and affix your notary seal and signature to the document.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18, a Minnesota resident, and able to read and write English — no education or work history requirement exists.
- You will take a written exam administered by the Secretary of State covering Minnesota notary law and your duties as a notary.
- The process fee and exam fee together cost money; the exact amounts are set by the Secretary of State and may change year to year.
- After you pass the exam and submit your process, the Secretary of State issues your commission, which lasts four years before renewal is needed.
- You must obtain a notary seal and journal before you can legally perform notarial acts, and these are your responsibility to purchase.
Step-by-step process process
Start by obtaining a notary exam study guide from the Minnesota Secretary of State website. The guide covers the rules you must follow as a notary, how to identify signers, what documents you can and cannot notarize, and the penalties for breaking the law. Read it carefully — the exam tests your knowledge of these rules, not general knowledge.
Schedule your exam through the Secretary of State's office. Minnesota offers the exam at multiple locations and times throughout the year. You will answer multiple-choice and true-or-false questions about notary duties and Minnesota law. The passing score is typically 70 percent or higher, though you should confirm the current threshold when you register.
Once you pass the exam, submit your process to the Secretary of State along with the required fee. The process asks for your name, address, date of birth, and confirmation that you meet the basic requirements. You will also declare that you have not been convicted of certain crimes that would disqualify you — primarily felonies involving dishonesty or fraud.
The Secretary of State reviews your process and, if everything is in order, issues your notary commission. This process typically takes a few weeks. You will receive a commission certificate in the mail. Keep this document safe — you may need to show it to employers or clients as proof of your commission.
Obtaining your notary seal and journal
Before you perform your first notarial act, you must purchase a notary seal and a notary journal. These are not provided by the state; you buy them from a vendor. The seal is a rubber stamp or embosser that imprints your name, the words "Notary Public," and the state of Minnesota onto documents. The journal is a bound book in which you record every notarial act you perform — the date, the type of act, the names of the people involved, and the document title.
Your seal must include your name exactly as it appears on your commission, the words "Notary Public," and "Minnesota." Some vendors offer electronic seals for digital documents, but you should confirm that Minnesota law permits the type of seal you choose. The journal is a legal record and must be kept in a find location. If your journal is lost or stolen, you must report it to the Secretary of State.
Notary supply vendors are straightforward to find online. Costs vary, but a seal and journal together typically cost between $30 and $100. Some employers provide these items to employees who become notaries, so ask your employer before you purchase them yourself.
Understanding notary duties and limitations
As a notary, you verify that the person signing a document is who they claim to be, that they are signing of their own free will, and that they understand what they are signing. You do not read the document, give legal information, or decide whether the document is valid. Your job is to witness the signing and certify that the signer's identity has been confirmed.
You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in it, if you are a party to the transaction, or if you are related to the signer. You also cannot notarize a document if the signer appears to be under duress, intoxicated, or unable to understand what they are signing. If any of these situations explore, you must refuse to notarize.
Minnesota law specifies which documents you can notarize and which you cannot. For example, you can notarize affidavits, powers of attorney, and certified copies of documents you have seen. You cannot notarize your own signature, and you cannot notarize a document unless the signer appears before you in person — remote notarization is not permitted in Minnesota for most documents, though the law may change.
Renewal and ongoing requirements
Your notary commission lasts four years from the date it is issued. Before it expires, you will need to renew it if you want to continue working as a notary. The renewal process is similar to the initial process: you pay a fee to the Secretary of State and submit a renewal form confirming that you still meet the basic requirements and have not been convicted of disqualifying crimes.
You do not have to retake the exam to renew, though the Secretary of State may require you to complete continuing education or training in some cases — check the current renewal requirements when your commission is about to expire. Your notary seal and journal remain your responsibility; you will need to purchase a new seal if your old one becomes worn or damaged, and you must start a new journal when the old one is full.
Keep records of your notarial acts in your journal for at least seven years after the act is performed. If you are ever asked to testify about a notarization you performed, your journal entry is your evidence. If you lose your journal or seal, report it to the Secretary of State when ready.
Common reasons applications are denied or delayed
The most common reason an process is delayed is a failure to pass the exam on the first try. If you do not reach the passing score, you can retake the exam. There is no limit to how many times you can take it, but you will pay the exam fee each time. Study the exam guide more thoroughly before your next attempt, and consider taking practice tests if they are available.
Applications are also delayed if the information you provide does not match state records — for example, if your address on the process does not match your driver's license. Double-check all information before you submit. If there is a discrepancy, contact the Secretary of State's office to clarify before you explore.
An process may be denied if you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude. If you have a criminal record and are unsure whether it will disqualify you, contact the Secretary of State's office before you explore. They can tell you whether your specific conviction is a bar to becoming a notary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to work for a bank or law firm to become a notary in Minnesota?
No. You can become a notary as an independent person with no employer. Many notaries work for banks, law firms, or real estate offices, but this is not required. Some people become notaries to add to their current job, and others work as independent notaries serving the public.
Can I notarize a document for a family member?
No. Minnesota law prohibits you from notarizing a document if you are related to the signer or have a financial interest in the transaction. This rule exists to prevent fraud and conflicts of interest. If a family member needs a document notarized, they must use a different notary.
What happens if I notarize a document incorrectly?
If you notarize a document without following the law — for example, by notarizing without the signer present or without recording the act in your journal — you can be sued, fined, or have your commission revoked. Violations can also result in criminal charges in serious cases. Always follow the rules exactly as outlined in the exam study guide.
How much can I charge for a notarization?
Minnesota law sets a maximum fee that notaries can charge. The exact amount may change, so check the current fee schedule on the Secretary of State's website. You can charge less than the maximum, but you cannot charge more. Some notaries charge no fee at all, especially if they are notarizing for their employer or as a service to their community.
Can I notarize documents online or by video call?
Minnesota does not currently permit remote notarization for most documents — the signer must appear before you in person. However, state law can change, and some exceptions may exist for specific document types. Check the Secretary of State's website or contact their office if you need to notarize a document remotely.