Alabama is unusual: notaries are appointed by county probate judges, not the Secretary of State. Act 2023-548 overhauled the system — mandatory training since September 2023, and the bond is now $50,000 (one of the highest in the nation).
Under Ala. Code §§ 36-20-70 to 36-20-75 (revised by Act 2023-548), the requirements are:
Alabama's costs went up substantially with Act 2023-548. The $50,000 bond is among the highest in the country, though bond premiums remain reasonable. County recording fees vary significantly.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (paid to probate judge) | Required | $10 |
| Commission issuance fee | Required | $25 |
| $50,000 surety bond (4-year term) | Required | $50–$150 |
| County recording fees (varies by county) | Required | $15–$50 |
| Training program (APJA/Alabama Law Institute) | Required (free online) | $0 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $115–$295 |
Alabama notaries are appointed by county probate judges, not the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State only maintains records. This means the process is county-specific — fees, processing times, and exact procedures vary by county. Mobile County charges $43 to record; Jefferson County $52; Baldwin County $66. Always check your specific county probate office.
The entire process runs through your county probate office.
Get the uniform application form from the Alabama Probate Judges Association (APJA) website or your county probate office. You can fill it in on a computer but cannot apply fully online.
Submit the completed, signed application to the Judge of Probate in your county of residence. Include a copy of your AL driver's license and the $10 non-refundable filing fee.
Within 30 days of submitting your application, complete the free online training program from the APJA/Alabama Law Institute. The course has section quizzes but no final exam. You can start it while waiting for application approval. Print your Certificate of Completion.
After approval, you'll receive an Appointment Letter. Purchase your 4-year, $50,000 surety bond from an Alabama-licensed surety. Do not fill in commission dates on the bond form — the bond becomes effective when filed.
Within 40 days of your Appointment Letter date, return to the probate office with: the original signed $50,000 bond, your Certificate of Training Completion, and valid photo ID. Take the official Oath of Office before the Judge of Probate.
Pay the $25 commission issuance fee plus county recording fees. The probate office records your bond, oath, and commission, then forwards info to the Alabama SOS. Order your seal — do not notarize until you have both the commission certificate and seal.
Alabama notaries can perform these acts statewide ("State at Large") under Ala. Code Chapter 36-20:
Alabama allows notary-set fees — no statutory hard caps:
Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, and Mobile are the main markets. Huntsville's aerospace/defense sector and Mobile's port economy generate steady corporate notarial work. Alabama notaries also play a role in the state's marriage process (Alabama replaced marriage licenses with notarized marriage certificates in 2019).
Alabama authorized remote notarization effective July 1, 2021. To perform RON in Alabama:
Your Alabama commission is valid for 4 years. Renewal is essentially a new commission application.
Begin 1-2 months before your current commission expires. You'll complete a new application, pay the $10 fee, complete the same training program again, purchase a new $50,000 bond, and take a new oath before the probate judge. There's no grace period — acting with an expired commission is a misdemeanor.
Alabama is one of the few states where county probate judges hold the appointment authority. The Secretary of State maintains a statewide records database but doesn't issue commissions. This is a historical structure. The practical effect: your process is county-specific, and probate judges have "sole discretion" to accept or deny applications under Act 2023-548.
Act 2023-548 (effective September 1, 2023) increased the bond from $25,000 to $50,000. The reasoning: numerous reports of notary fraud, the new prominent role notaries have in Alabama's marriage process, and widespread reports of notaries not understanding their duties. Alabama and Louisiana now have the highest bonds in the country. Premiums are still reasonable ($50-$150) because bonds are low-risk for the surety.
Yes, since September 1, 2023. All non-attorney applicants must complete the APJA/Alabama Law Institute training program within 30 days of applying. It's free and online, with section quizzes but no final exam. Failing to complete it results in denial of your commission.
Yes. Alabama commissions are "State at Large" — statewide authority. You can notarize anywhere in Alabama regardless of which county appointed you. You cannot notarize outside Alabama.
Because county probate offices set their own recording fees. The state-level fees ($10 application + $25 commission) are uniform, but recording fees range from ~$15 to $50+ depending on the county. Mobile, Jefferson, and Baldwin counties all charge different amounts. Contact your specific county probate office for exact figures.
If you don't file your bond, training certificate, and take your oath within 40 days of your Appointment Letter, your appointment lapses. You'd need to restart the application process. The deadlines (30 days for training, 40 days for bond filing) are strict.
Alabama's 2023 overhaul (mandatory training, $50K bond) raised the bar — which creates a quality moat for serious notaries. Huntsville and Birmingham have particularly strong markets. We're recruiting founding-cohort Alabama notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
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