Michigan is one of the fastest states to become a notary — no exam, no course, online application. But you do need a $10,000 surety bond, and the bond filing is where most people get stuck. Here's the real process.
Michigan's eligibility requirements are governed by the Michigan Notary Public Act (MCL 55.261 et seq.). The Secretary of State reviews every application individually.
Michigan is one of the cheapest states to become a notary — the state filing fee is only $10. The biggest variable cost is your surety bond, which usually runs $30-$55 for the full 6-7 year term.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| State application processing fee | Required | $10 |
| County clerk filing fee (bond + oath) | Required | $10–$20 |
| $10,000 surety bond (6-7 year term) | Required (attorneys exempt) | $30–$55 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| Education course | Not required | $0 |
| Written exam | Not required | $0 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $65–$120 |
Important note: The bond protects the public, not you. If a claim is paid out, you must reimburse the surety company. To protect yourself personally, add E&O insurance — it's the small expense that pays for itself the first time a client makes an error claim.
Go to the Michigan Department of State's Online Services portal under "Notary Services." Fill out the Notary Public Application with your driver's license info, full legal name, date of birth, and addresses. Print the completed application — you'll need a physical copy for the next step.
Buy your bond from any Michigan-licensed surety provider (SuretyBonds.com, NNA, JW Surety Bonds, etc.). Most issue the bond instantly via email — typical cost is $30-$55 for the full 6-7 year term. Attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are exempt from this requirement.
Bring your bond, your printed application, and a check for $10-$20 (Wayne County is more expensive) to the county clerk's office where you reside or do business. The clerk will file your bond, administer your oath of office, and return the application to you with their certification.
Upload the completed and county-certified application via Online Services and pay the $10 processing fee by credit card or e-check. Alternatively, mail it to: Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918.
Online applications are often processed same-day. Mail applications can take up to 6 weeks. Once approved, you'll receive your commission certificate. Order your notary stamp from any approved vendor — must include your name, county, and commission expiration date.
Under MCL 55.265, you're authorized to perform these notarial acts anywhere in Michigan:
Michigan does not cap the fees notaries can charge — you can charge what the market will bear. This makes Michigan one of the most profitable states for mobile notary work. Typical pricing in Michigan:
Active mobile notaries in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Lansing markets typically clear $20,000-$45,000/year working part-time around another job. Loan signing agents who get on lender networks can scale significantly higher.
Michigan authorized remote online notarization under PA 246 of 2018 (the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts). To perform RON in Michigan:
Your Michigan notary commission is valid for 6 or 7 years, always expiring on your birthday. The exact term depends on whether your application is processed before or after your next birthday.
About 90 days before your commission expires, the Secretary of State mails out a reappointment application. You'll need to: If your commission lapses, you're treated as a new applicant — same process from scratch. If you've been disciplined or convicted of any disqualifying offenses during your term, your renewal may be denied.
Michigan ties commission expiration to your birthday. The Notary Public Act specifies that commissions expire on the notary's birthday in the 7th year after issuance. Depending on when your application is processed relative to your next birthday, this works out to between 6 and 7 years of actual commissioned time.
You can notarize anywhere in Michigan, regardless of which county your commission was issued in. However, when notarizing outside your commissioning county, you must include the language "Acting in the County of [where you actually are]" in your notarial certificate.
No. Michigan attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are explicitly exempt from the bond requirement under MCL 55.273. You still need to file an oath of office with the county clerk and pay the $10 application fee — just no bond.
If you apply online and pay with credit card, applications are often processed the same day they're received. Realistically: 1-2 weeks from start to having your commission certificate and seal in hand. Mail applications can take up to 6 weeks.
Yes. Michigan does not require a separate signing agent license. However, mortgage lenders typically require signing agents to carry $25,000+ in E&O insurance and complete an annual NNA certification with background check. Your $10,000 state bond is for the public's protection — lenders want their own additional protection.
If a claim is paid out of your bond, you're legally obligated to reimburse the surety company for the full amount paid. If the bond is exhausted, the Michigan Department of State can require you to purchase a supplementary bond to keep your commission active. This is why E&O insurance is strongly recommended — it pays out separately from your bond.
Michigan's eligibility requirements are governed by the Michigan Notary Public Act (MCL 55.261 et seq.). The Secretary of State reviews every application individually. Be at least 18 years old. Be a U.S. citizen or have proof of legal presence. Be a resident of the Michigan county where you're applying, OR maintain a principal place of business in that county. Be able to read and write English. Have no felony convictions within the last 10 years. Not currently serving a term of imprisonment in any state, county, or federal facility. Not have 2+ misdemeanor violations of the Notary Public Act within 12 months while commissioned, or 3+ within 5 years. What it actually costs, end to end Michigan is one of the cheapest states to become a notary — the state filing fee is only $10. The biggest variable cost is your surety bond, which usually runs $30-$55 for the full 6-7 year term. Item Required? Cost State application processing fee Required $10 County clerk filing fee (bond + oath) Required $10–$20 $10,000 surety bond (6-7 year term) Required (attorneys exempt) $30–$55 Notary stamp/seal Required $15–$35 Education course Not required $0 Written exam Not required $0 E&O insurance (recommended) Optional $25–$50/yr Total to get commissioned $65–$120 Important note: The bond protects the public, not you. If a claim is paid out, you must reimburse the surety company. To protect yourself personally, add E&O insurance — it's the small expense that pays for itself the first time a client makes an error claim. The 5 steps to your Michigan commission 1 Complete the online application at Michigan.gov Go to the Michigan Department of State's Online Services portal under "Notary Services." Fill out the Notary Public Application with your driver's license info, full legal name, date of birth, and addresses. Print the completed application — you'll need a physical copy for the next step. 2 Purchase a $10,000 surety bond Buy your bond from any Michigan-licensed surety provider (SuretyBonds.com, NNA, JW Surety Bonds, etc.). Most issue the bond instantly via email — typical cost is $30-$55 for the full 6-7 year term. Attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are exempt from this requirement. 3 File the bond and take your oath at the county clerk Bring your bond, your printed application, and a check for $10-$20 (Wayne County is more expensive) to the county clerk's office where you reside or do business. The clerk will file your bond, administer your oath of office, and return the application to you with their certification. 4 Submit your final application + $10 fee Upload the completed and county-certified application via Online Services and pay the $10 processing fee by credit card or e-check. Alternatively, mail it to: Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918. 5 Receive your commission certificate, order your seal Online applications are often processed same-day. Mail applications can take up to 6 weeks. Once approved, you'll receive your commission certificate. Order your notary stamp from any approved vendor — must include your name, county, and commission expiration date. What Michigan notaries actually do Under MCL 55.265, you're authorized to perform these notarial acts anywhere in Michigan: Acknowledgments — Confirming a signer voluntarily executed a document Jurats — Administering oaths and affirmations on signed statements Oaths and affirmations — Verbal swearings outside of document signing Witness signatures — Attesting to having witnessed a signature Copy certifications — Of non-recordable documents only Electronic notarization — Digital signatures with notary physically present Remote online notarization (RON) — Audio/video sessions with remote signers What you can actually make Michigan does not cap the fees notaries can charge — you can charge what the market will bear. This makes Michigan one of the most profitable states for mobile notary work. Typical pricing in Michigan: In-office notarization: $10-$25 per signature Mobile notary visit: $50-$100 base + per-act fees Loan signing: $75-$200 per signing (real estate) Remote online notarization (RON): $25-$75 per act Hospital/bedside visits: $75-$150 (premium for time-sensitive) Active mobile notaries in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Lansing markets typically clear $20,000-$45,000/year working part-time around another job. Loan signing agents who get on lender networks can scale significantly higher. RON in Michigan Michigan authorized remote online notarization under PA 246 of 2018 (the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts). To perform RON in Michigan: Hold an active Michigan notary commission Use a state-approved RON technology platform (Notarize, BlueNotary, NotaryCam, OneNotary, etc.) Verify signer identity via two-factor authentication (typically credential analysis + knowledge-based authentication) Record the audio/video session and retain it for at least 10 years Maintain an electronic journal of all RON acts Michigan does NOT require a separate RON registration or additional bond — your existing notary commission and $10,000 bond cover both traditional and remote acts. This is unusual; most states require a separate RON application and fee. Renewing your Michigan commission Your Michigan notary commission is valid for 6 or 7 years, always expiring on your birthday. The exact term depends on whether your application is processed before or after your next birthday. About 90 days before your commission expires, the Secretary of State mails out a reappointment application. You'll need to: Purchase a new $10,000 surety bond covering your renewal term File the new bond and take your oath again at the county clerk Submit the renewal application with the $10 fee If your commission lapses, you're treated as a new applicant — same process from scratch. If you've been disciplined or convicted of any disqualifying offenses during your term, your renewal may be denied. Questions Michigan notaries actually ask Why is the commission 6-7 years instead of a clean term length? Michigan ties commission expiration to your birthday. The Notary Public Act specifies that commissions expire on the notary's birthday in the 7th year after issuance. Depending on when your application is processed relative to your next birthday, this works out to between 6 and 7 years of actual commissioned time. Can I notarize in any Michigan county or only my home county? You can notarize anywhere in Michigan, regardless of which county your commission was issued in. However, when notarizing outside your commissioning county, you must include the language "Acting in the County of [where you actually are]" in your notarial certificate. Is the bond really required if I'm an attorney? No. Michigan attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are explicitly exempt from the bond requirement under MCL 55.273. You still need to file an oath of office with the county clerk and pay the $10 application fee — just no bond. How quickly can I actually start notarizing after applying? If you apply online and pay with credit card, applications are often processed the same day they're received. Realistically: 1-2 weeks from start to having your commission certificate and seal in hand. Mail applications can take up to 6 weeks. Can I use my Michigan commission to notarize loan documents? Yes. Michigan does not require a separate signing agent license. However, mortgage lenders typically require signing agents to carry $25,000+ in E&O insurance and complete an annual NNA certification with background check. Your $10,000 state bond is for the public's protection — lenders want their own additional protection. What happens if my surety bond gets a claim against it? If a claim is paid out of your bond, you're legally obligated to reimburse the surety company for the full amount paid. If the bond is exhausted, the Michigan Department of State can require you to purchase a supplementary bond to keep your commission active. This is why E&O insurance is strongly recommended — it pays out separately from your bond. Founding Smoothquill cohort Ready to start? Your bond is step one. Michigan is one of our priority states for Smoothquill expansion in 2026 — strong notary population, no fee caps, robust RON market. We're recruiting founding-cohort Michigan notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
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