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 |
Where to handle Michigan's $10,000 surety bond. All three issue the bond online.
Disclosure: the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Smoothquill may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend providers we'd use ourselves.
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.
Get the complete notary guide — steps, costs, and how remote online notarization works — emailed to you. Free, no strings.
Under MCL 55.265, you're authorized to perform these notarial acts anywhere in Michigan:
Michigan caps the notarial act fee at $10 per act (MCL 55.285(7)), and the same cap applies to remote online notarization. Income above that comes from travel fees and loan-signing work, which are priced separately. Typical pricing in Michigan:
Active mobile notaries in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Lansing markets can build a meaningful part-time income around another job. Loan signing agents who get on lender networks can scale significantly higher.
How you actually get those clients: our notary marketing guide — attribution, Google Business Profile, and where to spend limited money.
Michigan authorized remote online notarization under PA 246 of 2018 (the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts). To perform RON in Michigan:
Before you invest in RON registration: what RON actually pays → — the platforms' own published numbers.
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 is one of our priority states for Smoothquill expansion in 2026 — strong notary population and a robust RON market.
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