Indiana has the highest bond requirement in the country ($25,000) and the longest commission term (8 years). The whole process runs through the INBiz portal — application, education, exam, all in one system.
Under Indiana Code 33-42, the requirements are:
Indiana's $75 application fee is high but it covers the education course AND the exam — bundled together. The $25,000 bond is the largest in the nation but typically only costs $40-$75 because of the 8-year term spreading the premium.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| INBiz application fee (includes course + exam) | Required | $75 |
| $25,000 surety bond (8-year term) | Required | $40–$75 |
| Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Record | Required | $16.32 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| Continuing Education (3 courses over 8 years, $50 each) | Required | $150 (over term) |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $150–$210 initial + $150 CE over term |
Per IC 33-42-12-3(c), your bond and oath must be filed within 14 days of commission issuance. Miss this deadline and you have to restart the entire application process — including paying the $75 fee again. Set a calendar reminder.
The whole process happens online through INBiz — no paper application.
Go to inbiz.in.gov and create an Access Indiana account if you don't have one. This is your portal for the entire process.
Order your Limited Criminal History Record from the Indiana State Police ($16.32). You'll upload this during application.
Complete the application form in INBiz with your personal info and eligibility confirmations. Pay the $75 non-refundable fee. This fee covers the application filing, education course, and exam.
After payment, click "Education/Exam" next to your pending application on the INBiz dashboard. The self-paced course typically takes ~2 hours. You must finish the course before the exam link becomes active.
After the course, take the exam — 30 multiple-choice/true-false questions. You need 80% (24/30) to pass.
Once your application is approved, purchase the $25,000 bond. Upload an electronic copy of the bond certificate. The bond must be valid for the full 8-year commission term.
Per Indiana Code, your bond and oath must be filed within 14 days of commission issuance. Miss this deadline and you restart from scratch with a new $75 application.
Indiana notaries can perform these acts statewide under IC 33-42:
Indiana notary fees are subject to guidelines rather than hard caps. Common rates:
Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville are the main markets. Indianapolis has a particularly strong RON market due to the concentration of corporate operations and the central time zone advantage for working with East and Mountain time clients.
Indiana authorized remote online notarization effective July 1, 2019, making it one of the earlier RON-adopting states. To perform RON in Indiana:
Your Indiana commission is valid for 8 years — the longest term in the nation. But there's a continuing education catch.
Indiana requires 3 continuing education courses during your 8-year term: at year 2, year 4, and year 6 ($50 each through INBiz). Miss any CE deadline and your commission expires automatically. At renewal, you retake the full education course and exam, get a new $25,000 bond, and submit a new $75 application.
Indiana increased its bond requirement to $25,000 with an 8-year term in 2018 — replacing the prior $5,000/4-year bond. The reasoning: higher bond + longer term creates better public protection and reduces administrative overhead. The practical effect: bond premiums total $40-$75 for the full 8 years, which is reasonable.
Your commission expires automatically. For example, if commissioned March 15, 2024, your first CE is due by March 31, 2026, then 2028, then 2030. Miss any of these and you're no longer a notary. You'd need to reapply as a new applicant — $75, full course, full exam, new bond. Set calendar reminders.
Yes. Unlike most states where you pay for the course separately ($50-$100 from a third-party provider) plus the state filing fee, Indiana bundles them. The $75 covers application processing, the mandatory 2-hour course, and the exam through INBiz. This is actually a good deal.
No. Indiana only accepts education completed through the official INBiz portal. Third-party courses (NNA, Notaries.com) don't fulfill the requirement for new applicants. INBiz is the only path.
If a claim is paid against your bond, you're legally obligated to reimburse the surety company. If the bond is exhausted, the Indiana Secretary of State can require you to obtain a supplementary bond to keep your commission active. This is one reason E&O insurance is worth carrying — it pays separately from the bond.
Yes. Indiana allows non-resident notaries who have their primary employment in Indiana. You'll need to submit proof of Indiana employment (paystub, HR letter on company letterhead) with your application. Your commission would still be subject to Indiana jurisdiction.
Indiana's 8-year term and bundled education/exam structure make it a low-friction state for serious notaries who want to commit. The Indianapolis market is particularly strong for RON work. We're recruiting founding-cohort Indiana notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
Apply to Smoothquill →Founding cohort · 10 spots · $10 flat platform fee for life