How to Become a Notary in Mississippi

Are you interested in becoming a notary in Mississippi? This guide will tell you everything you need to know in order to become a notary in the state of Mississippi.

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Introduction

A notary public is an individual commissioned by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-preventing acts related to the signing of important documents. Notaries are also empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, and verify signatures. In Mississippi, anyone interested in becoming a notary public must first file an application with the Office of the Secretary of State.

What is a Notary?

A notary public is a person commissioned by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-preventing acts related to the signing of important documents. Notaries are also allowed to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments of deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney and other Instruments. In some states they may also certify copies of certain kinds of documents.

The Requirements to Become a Notary in Mississippi

In order to become a notary in Mississippi, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a resident of Mississippi or a resident of a bordering state with a valid driver’s license
-Have no felony convictions

In addition, you must purchase a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and complete an application form. Once your application has been approved, you will be scheduled for an exam.

The Application Process to Become a Notary in Mississippi

All applicants must first complete an approved notary education course before submitting an application to the Secretary of State’s office.

After completing the course, applicants must then submit the following to the Secretary of State’s office:
-A completed Notary Public Application
-The $40 processing fee
-A 2” x 2” passport-style photograph
-A copy of the certificate of completion for the notary education course

Once the application is received, it will be reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office and, if all requirements are met, the applicant will be appointed as a notary public for a four-year term.

The Duties and Responsibilities of a Notary in Mississippi

A notary public is an official of the state government whose primary duty is to authenticate the identity of individuals who come before him or her to sign legal documents. The notary public’s main responsibility is to ensure that the person signing the document is who he or she claims to be. In order to become a notary public in Mississippi, an individual must meet certain requirements and follow a specific process.

An applicant for a notary public commission must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Mississippi, and a citizen of the United States. In addition, an applicant must complete an online application and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office, along with the required fee. Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the applicant will be notified and will need to take an Oath of Office before a Circuit Court Judge or Commissioner of Deeds. After taking the Oath of Office, the applicant will need to purchase a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office. The surety bond must be renewed every four years.

Once the above requirements have been met and all necessary forms and fees have been submitted, the individual will be officially commissioned as a notary public in Mississippi. As a notary public, he or she will have certain duties and responsibilities, which include:

-Administering oaths and affirmations
-Taking acknowledgments
-Attesting to photocopies of certain documents
-Witnessing or attesting signatures on documents
-Certifying that a signature on a document is genuine
-Determining whether individuals understand the documents they are signing
-Keeping accurate records

The Notary Commission

A notary commission is a 4-year term during which a notary public is authorized to perform notarial acts. The Secretary of State’s office requires that all notaries public complete a Notary Education Course and pass an examination before being commissioned. After being commissioned, the notary public must purchase a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office.

The Notary Seal

All Notaries Public in Mississippi must have and use a Notary seal. The Notary seal must contain the following:
-The words “Notary Public”
-The phrase “State of Mississippi”
-The Notary’s name as it appears on their commission
-The commissioned expiration date
-The words “My Commission Expires” or “Commission Expires”
Seal impressions must be either:
-In black ink
-In color, so long as the impression is ONE INCH IN DIAMETER and clearly legible
Seal embossers may not be used to make a Notary’s official seal impression on a document.

The Notary Journal

The Notary Journal is a record of all the notarizations you perform while working as a notary. Mississippi requires that this book be “tamper-evident” which means that it’s designed in such a way that it’s difficult to alter or Forge any of the entries. The journal must also have numbered pages so that if any pages are removed, it’s obvious. You must purchase this journal from an approved vendor; you can find a list of approved vendors on the Secretary of State’s website.

When you notarize a document, you will fill out an entry in the journal recording the date, type of notarization, type of document, and sign your name as the notary. You will also affix your official seal to the journal entry. After you have completed the notarization, you will give the customer the original document along with a certificate stating that you performed the notarization. The original document and certificate are evidence of the notarization; the journal entry is for your records.

You are required by law to keep your Notary Journal for 10 years after you retire or resign from your position as a Notary Public.

Notarizing Documents

A notary public is a public officer who is authorized to administer oaths, certify documents and perform other miscellaneous duties pertaining to the state of Mississippi. In order to become a Mississippi notary, you must first meet the qualifications set by the state, then follow the proper application procedures.

To be eligible for a Mississippi notary commission, you must:
-Be at least eighteen (18) years old
-Be a resident of Mississippi or have a principal place of business in the state
-Be able to read and write English
-Not have been convicted of a felony

If you meet all of the above qualifications, you can begin the application process by filling out an application form and providing proof of your identity and residency. You will also need to have your fingerprints taken and submit them with your application. After your application has been processed, you will be required to take an oath of office and purchase a bond in the amount of $10,000.

Notarizing for Out-of-State Residents

Mississippi notaries public are empowered to serve the public anywhere within the state’s borders. This means that if you live in another state but need a document notarized while you’re in Mississippi, a Mississippi notary can help you.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Make sure the document is prepared correctly. It should have all of the necessary signatures and dates.
2. Bring the document to a Mississippi notary public. You can find a list of notaries public on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website .
3. Present a valid ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID card. The ID must be current and show your photograph, physical description, and signature.
4. Sign the document in front of the notary public.
5. The notary public will then sign, date, and stamp the document with their official seal.

Notarizing for Foreign Residents

If you will be notarizing for a foreign resident, the signer must appear in person before you and must provide proof of identification. The signer’s ID can be one of the following:

-A passport issued by the signer’s country of citizenship
-A consular identification card issued by the signer’s consulate
-An alien registration card or other document issued by the United States government that contains the signer’s photograph and signature

If the signer cannot produce one of the above forms of ID, they may provide two witnesses who can attest to the signer’s identity. The witnesses must be able to produce valid ID, and they must also sign an affidavit swearing to the signer’s identity.

Renewing Your Notary Commission

All notary commissions in Mississippi are valid for four years from the date of commissioning. If you are within six months of your expiration date, you may renew your notary commission by completing the following steps:

1. Complete the Notary Commission Renewal Application, which can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

2. Include a check or money order for the $50 renewal fee made payable to the “Secretary of State.”

3. Submit the completed application and fee to:
Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box136
Jackson, MS 39205

Changing Your Name or Address

If you need to update your name or address, you will need to complete a new application and submit it to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. There is no fee to update your information.

Losing Your Notary Commission

Your notary commission will be automatically void if you:

-Are convicted of a felony
-Are convicted of a crime involving fraud or dishonesty
-Make a false certification in any official matter
-Perform a notarial act when not authorized by law to do so
-Knowingly certify as true a copy of an instrument or document that is not a true and correct copy of the original
-Impersonate another person, Notary Public, or officer of the court
-Violate the official instructions concerning notarial acts as promulgated by the Secretary of State from time to time

Helpful Websites and Resources

Below are some websites and resources that will help you on your journey to becoming a notary in Mississippi.

-The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Notary Commissioning Webpage: https://www.sos.ms.gov/business-programs/notaries/Pages/default.aspx
-The American Association of Notaries Website: https://www.usnotaries.com
-NNA’s How to Become a Notary Public Page: https://www.nationalnotary.org/know-how/become-a-notary

These websites will provide you with information on the requirements, process, and benefits of becoming a notary in Mississippi.