A notary bond is a form of insurance that protects the public if a notary makes a mistake or acts dishonestly
When you become a notary public, your state requires you to post a notary bond — a financial may provide, usually between $500 and $15,000, that you will perform your duties correctly and follow state law. If someone suffers a financial loss because you notarized a document you shouldn't have, failed to verify identity properly, or committed fraud, the bond covers that loss up to the bond amount. The bond is not insurance you buy for yourself; it is protection for the people whose documents you notarize.
You purchase the bond from a surety company — a business licensed to issue bonds — and you pay a premium, usually a small percentage of the bond amount. That premium is typically non-refundable, even if you never use the bond. The surety company, not you, pays out any claims. If a claim is paid, the surety may pursue you for reimbursement, so the bond creates a financial incentive to work correctly.
Key Takeaways
- A notary bond is a financial may provide required by your state that protects the public from losses caused by notary errors or misconduct.
- You purchase the bond from a surety company and pay a one-time premium, usually $50 to $300 depending on the bond amount and your state.
- The bond amount varies by state — some require $500, others $10,000 or more — and you must renew it when your notary commission expires.
- If someone sues and wins because of your mistake, the surety pays the claim from the bond, and the surety may then bill you for reimbursement.
- A bond is different from errors and omissions insurance, which covers legal defense costs and is optional coverage you can purchase separately.
Bond amounts vary by state and commission type
Your state's Secretary of State office sets the minimum bond amount you must post. Some states require $500; others require $10,000 or $15,000. A few states have no bond requirement at all. If you work as a notary in more than one state, you may need separate bonds for each state, each with its own amount and premium.
Some states also set different bond amounts depending on whether you are a traditional notary or a remote online notary (RON). Remote notaries, who notarize documents over video, often face higher bond requirements because the risk of fraud is considered greater when you cannot examine the signer in person.
Check your state's Secretary of State website or notary handbook to find the exact bond amount required in your state. That amount is non-negotiable — you cannot post a smaller bond and still be commissioned.
How much you pay for the bond
The premium you pay depends on the bond amount, your state, and the surety company you choose. A $500 bond might cost $25 to $75 per year. A $10,000 bond might cost $100 to $300 per year. Some surety companies charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the bond amount. Prices vary, so it is worth getting quotes from two or three companies before you buy.
You pay the premium once per commission term — usually every four or six years, depending on your state. When your commission expires and you renew it, you must post a new bond and pay a new premium. The old bond does not carry over.
Some notaries bundle the bond with errors and omissions insurance, which covers legal defense costs if you are sued. That combined package costs more than the bond alone but may be worth it if you notarize high-value documents or work in a high-risk field.
What happens if someone files a claim against your bond
If a person or business suffers a financial loss because of something you did wrong as a notary — you notarized a forged signature, failed to check ID, or notarized a document outside your authority — they can file a claim against your bond with the surety company. The claim must show that your action or inaction caused the loss and that the loss is real and measurable.
The surety investigates the claim. If the claim is valid and within the bond amount, the surety pays it. You are not responsible for paying the claim directly, but the surety may pursue you for reimbursement, especially if the claim was large or if you have a pattern of errors. A claim against your bond can also trigger an investigation by your state's notary regulator, which may result in suspension or revocation of your commission.
Claims are rare if you follow your state's notary rules carefully. Most notaries never have a claim filed against their bond. But the bond exists because the risk is real — forged documents, identity theft, and fraud do happen, and the bond protects the public when they do.
Bond versus errors and omissions insurance
A notary bond and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance are different products that serve different purposes. The bond protects the public; E&O insurance protects you. The bond pays out if someone sues and wins a judgment against you. E&O insurance pays your legal defense costs and any settlement or judgment, up to the policy limit, and it covers situations the bond might not — such as a claim that you were negligent but did not violate a specific law.
E&O insurance is optional in most states. You purchase it separately from a regular insurance company, not a surety company. It costs more than a bond — often $200 to $500 per year — but it covers your legal fees, which can be substantial even if you win the case. Many notaries who work full-time or notarize high-value documents carry both a bond and E&O insurance.
How to obtain a notary bond
Once you have been commissioned as a notary by your state, you can purchase a bond from any surety company licensed to do business in your state. You do not have to use a specific company; you can shop around. Many surety companies offer notary bonds online, and you can often get a quote and purchase the bond in minutes.
To buy a bond, you will need your notary commission number, the bond amount required by your state, and a payment method. Some surety companies may ask for basic information about your background or criminal history. After you pay the premium, the surety issues a bond certificate, which you must file with your state's Secretary of State office or keep on hand, depending on your state's rules. Check your state's notary handbook to see whether you must file the bond or straightforward keep proof of it.
If you renew your notary commission, you must also renew your bond. The surety company may send you a reminder, but it is your responsibility to make sure the bond is in place before your current commission expires. If your bond lapses, you are no longer a commissioned notary, even if your commission itself has not expired.
What disqualifies you from getting a bond
Most surety companies will issue a notary bond to anyone with a valid notary commission. However, some companies may decline to bond you if you have a criminal history, a pattern of civil judgments against you, or a previous claim filed against a notary bond. If one surety declines, you can explore to another — standards vary.
Your state may also disqualify you from becoming a notary in the first place if you have a felony conviction or certain misdemeanors. That is a state decision, not a surety decision. If your state commissions you, a surety company will almost certainly bond you, even if you have a less-than-perfect background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a notary without a bond?
No. Every state that requires notaries to be commissioned also requires a bond as a condition of that commission. If you do not post a bond, you cannot be commissioned. A few states have no notary requirement at all, but if your state has notaries, it requires a bond.
What if I let my bond lapse?
If your bond expires and you do not renew it, your notary commission becomes invalid, even if the commission itself has not expired. You cannot notarize documents until you post a new bond. Your state may also fine you or revoke your commission if you allow the bond to lapse.
Do I get my bond premium back if I don't use it?
No. The bond premium is non-refundable. You pay it once per commission term, and the surety keeps it regardless of whether anyone files a claim. Think of it as a cost of holding the commission, similar to a license fee.
Can I choose any surety company?
Yes. You can purchase a notary bond from any surety company licensed in your state. Shop around for the best price and service. Some companies offer discounts if you bundle the bond with errors and omissions insurance or if you renew multiple years at once.
What happens if I'm sued and the claim exceeds my bond amount?
The surety pays up to the bond amount. If the judgment is larger, you are responsible for the remainder. This is one reason some notaries carry errors and omissions insurance in addition to the bond — it covers amounts above the bond limit.