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If you’re looking to become a notary in Indiana, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps. First, you’ll need to purchase a notary bond and submit an application to the Indiana Secretary of State. Once you’ve been approved, you’ll be able to start notarizing documents!
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Introduction
If you want to become a notary in Indiana, you must first complete an approved notary education course. After you have completed the course, you must submit an application to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, along with a $5 filing fee and a bond of $5,000.
You will also need to have your fingerprint taken so that a background check can be performed. Once your application has been approved, you will be issued a commission certificate and you will be able to begin notarizing documents!
What is a notary and what do they do?
A notary is a public officer who is empowered to witness and authenticate the execution of certain legal documents. Notaries are typically used in the real estate industry to witness the signing of mortgages and other types of property-related documents. In Indiana, notaries are also commonly used to authenticate the signatures on wills and trusts.
Notaries are required to take an oath of office in which they pledge to perform their duties faithfully and impartially. In order to become a notary in Indiana, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. You must also have a clean criminal record and be able to submit to a background check.
If you meet these qualifications, you can apply for a notary commission by filing an application with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office. Once your application has been approved, you will be issued a commission certificate which you will need to keep with you when performing notarial acts.
There is no fee to become a notary in Indiana. However, you will be responsible for purchasing your own notary supplies, including a seal and journal.
As a notary, you will be expected to perform your duties in accordance with the Indiana Notary Public Code of Ethics. This code requires that you maintain the confidentiality of all information that you learn in your capacity as a notary. You must also avoid any conflicts of interest, such as accepting gifts or payments for performing notarial acts.
If you have any questions about becoming a notary or about how to perform your duties, you can contact the Indiana Secretary of State’s office for more information
The requirements to become a notary in Indiana
To become a notary in the state of Indiana, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-A resident of Indiana or a resident of a bordering state who works in Indiana
-Have no felony convictions
-Complete an approved notary education course
Once you have met these requirements, you must submit an application to the Indiana Secretary of State along with the following:
-A $5 filing fee
-A completed Notary Public Application
-A Certificate of Completion for an approved Notary Education Course
After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will be issued a commission from the Indiana Secretary of State. This commission will allow you to begin your duties as a notary public.
How to apply to become a notary in Indiana
To become a notary in Indiana, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a resident of Indiana or have a place of employment or business in Indiana
Have no felony convictions
Complete an approved Notary Education Course (if you have not already done so)
Submit a notary application to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office
Pay the required fees
Upon receipt of your completed application and fee, the Secretary of State’s office will issue you a commission as an Indiana notary public. Once you receive your commission, you must purchase a surety bond in the amount of $5,000 and submit it to the office. You will also need to purchase a stamp that contains the words “Indiana Notary Public” and your name as it appears on your commission.
The notary bond
All applicants for an Indiana notary commission must first purchase and file a surety bond with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office. The notary bond is to insure that the notary will perform duties in accordance with Indiana Notary Laws. The bond must be written by a surety company licensed to do business in Indiana and must be in the amount of $5,000.
The notary seal
A notary public in Indiana must have a seal of office, which must be either an embossing seal or an ink stamp. The seal must contain the words “Notary Public,” the name of the notary, the words “State of Indiana,” and the dates of the notary’s commission.
The notary journal
The notary journal is one of the notary’s most important tools. It is a permanent, bound record of every notarization the notary public performs. Notaries are required by Indiana law to keep a journal of their notarizations.
A notary journal must be a permanent, bound book with pages that cannot be easily removed. The cover must be dark red, maroon, or green, and the pages must be numbered consecutively. The notary must enter the following information into the journal for every notarization:
-The type of document that was notarized
-The date and time of the notarization
-The names and addresses of all signers
-The type of ID each signer used
-A physical description or initials for each signer to note if the person is known to the notary or otherwise identified
-Notaries are also required to keep their journals in a secure place when they are not using them.
Notary fees
A notary public in Indiana must charge a fee of at least $2.00 for each notarial act, but may charge more if customary in the community. A notary may also charge a travel fee if the notarization requires the notary to travel more than 20 miles from their office.
Notary public commission
A notary public is an official of integrity appointed by state government — typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-preventing tasks related to the signing of important documents. Most notary work involves administering oaths and affirmations, taking acknowledgments, witnessing/attesting signatures on affidavits and other documents, protests, depositions, and serving as an official court witness.
Indiana notaries are commissioned by the Indiana Secretary of State’s office. To become a notary in Indiana, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a legal resident of Indiana or a resident of a bordering state (Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan or Ohio) who frequently does business in Indiana
-Complete a notary education course approved by the Secretary of State’s office (if you have not previously held a commissioned notary public office in another jurisdiction)
-Submit an application to the Secretary of State’s office along with the required fee
Once your application has been approved, you will be mailed a commissionednotary public certificate and oath of office form. You must sign the oath of office form in front of a judge, clerk-recorder or Notary Public Services staff member, and return it to the Secretaryof State’s office within 30 days. After your oath has been received and processed, you will be mailed your Official Notary Seal embosser.
Frequently asked questions about becoming a notary in Indiana
Q: Do I need to take a test to become a notary in Indiana?
A: Yes, you must pass a written exam administered by the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.
Q: How much does it cost to become a notary in Indiana?
A: The fee for becoming a notary in Indiana is $5.
Q: How often do I need to renew my notary commission in Indiana?
A: Notaries public in Indiana must renew their commission every four years.
Q: What are the requirements for becoming a notary in Indiana?
To become a notary public in Indiana, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Indiana. You must also be able to read and write English, and have no felony convictions.
