Frequently Asked Questions

To meet the qualifications of a Michigan Notary Public, all the following must be met by the applicant.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Michigan resident or maintain a place of business in Michigan; be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence
• Be a resident of the county in which you request appointment (if you don't reside in Michigan, you must maintain a principal place of business in the county you request appointment)
• Read and write in the English language
• Be free of any felony convictions within the past 10 years (if previously convicted of a felony, the 10-year period includes completion of the sentence for that crime, any term of imprisonment, parole, or probation, and payment of all fines, costs, and assessments)
• Haven't been convicted of 2 or more misdemeanor offenses involving a violation of the Michigan Notary Public Act within a 12-month period while commissioned, or 3 or more misdemeanor offenses involving a violation of this Act within a 5-year period regardless of being commissioned
• Have filed with the appropriate county clerk a proper surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and taken the oath of office as prescribed by the State Constitution (Michigan licensed attorneys are exempt)
• Sign a declaration that all information on your application for Michigan Notary Public Commission is correct, that you have read the Michigan Notary Public Act, and that you will perform all notarial acts faithfully
• Aren't currently serving a term of imprisonment in any state, county, or federal correctional facility; if so, you are prohibited from being appointed or serving as a notary public

There is no education or training requirement to become a Michigan Notary. It is the Notary's legal responsibility under the MiLONA to read the MiLONA in its entirety before performing a notarial act. It is highly recommended that commissioned notaries pursue professional development and continuing education.  

Each notary public commission is for a 6 to 7-year period ending on the notary's birthday. The term is not less than 6 or more than 7 years from the date of appointment.

• If your commission date is before your birthday in that calendar year the term will be 6 years from your birthday.
• If your commission date is after your birthday in that calendar year the term will be 7 years from your birthday.n answer to this item.

The MiLONA provides that a Notary may charge up to $10.00 for performing each notarial act. 

Additional fees for travel may be negotiated between the Notary and the client prior to the commencement of the travel. The total of all fees including multiple notarizations and travel should be disclosed and agreed to before performing any notarization transaction. 

The MiLONA does not set a stand rate for travel, however, the IRS standard mileage deduction could be used as a starting point for calculating mileages costs.

Surety Bonds are required to protect the public. Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O) is recommended to protect YOU, the Notary. Many organizations will require that you have a minimum of $25,000 in E&O insurance to work with them. 

A Notary cannot notarize his or her own signature or take their own deposition. 

As a best practice, you should not witness the signing of the document and notarize the same document as there are times when witness signature lines are above the notarial certificate/block which can cause you to unintentionally notarize your own signature. 

A Notary cannot perform a notarial act for a direct lineal ancestor or descendant family member as listed below:

- Spouse (current)
- Grand and Great Grandparents
- Parents
- Children
- Grand and Great Grandchildren
- Stepchildren
- Siblings
- Half-Siblings
- In-Laws (Current)