South Dakota just got simpler: HB 1133 eliminated the $5,000 bond requirement effective July 1, 2025. There's no exam and no course, the commission runs a generous 6 years, and total startup cost is among the lowest in the country.
Under South Dakota Codified Laws Chapter 18-1, the requirements are:
South Dakota is now one of the cheapest states for notary entry — the $30 filing fee is essentially the whole cost, since the bond was eliminated in July 2025.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State filing fee | Required | $30 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| Notary journal | Optional but recommended | $10–$25 |
| Surety bond | Not required (eliminated July 2025) | $0 |
| Education course | Not required | $0 |
| Written exam | Not required | $0 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $45–$90 |
South Dakota eliminated its $5,000 bond requirement effective July 1, 2025, via HB 1133. The Secretary of State described the change as removing "a barrier" and streamlining the process. Some notary supply sites and guides written before mid-2025 still list a $5,000 bond — that's now outdated. As of 2026, no bond is required.
South Dakota's process is simple — application, oath, fee, no bond.
Get a South Dakota-compliant notary seal/stamp. You'll need an imprint of it on your application.
Fill out the combined Application and Oath of Office form. Write your name exactly as it appears on your notary stamp. Include an imprint of your seal in the designated box. If you're a non-resident from a bordering county, fill out the employer/business sections.
A separate notary public must witness your signature on the application/oath form.
Mail or deliver the completed Application/Oath form and the $30 filing fee (check or money order to "Secretary of State") to: Secretary of State, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 204, Pierre, SD 57501.
The Secretary of State forwards your application to the Attorney General for approval. Processing can take up to 14 business days plus AG review time.
Once approved, you'll receive your Notary Public Commission Certificate. You cannot notarize until you have it in hand.
South Dakota notaries can perform these acts statewide under SDCL Chapter 18-1:
South Dakota allows notary-set fees — no statutory hard caps:
Sioux Falls and Rapid City are the main markets. Sioux Falls in particular has a strong financial services sector (several major credit card operations are based there due to South Dakota's banking-friendly laws), which generates steady corporate and financial notarial demand. South Dakota's rural geography also makes mobile notary services valuable across wide areas.
South Dakota authorized RON. To perform RON in South Dakota:
Your South Dakota commission is valid for 6 years — one of the longer terms in the country.
Renewal follows the same process as the initial application — the Application/Oath form, witnessed signature, and $30 fee. No bond. The 6-year term means infrequent renewals. If your commission lapses, you reapply as new.
Yes. HB 1133 eliminated the $5,000 surety bond requirement effective July 1, 2025. The Secretary of State framed it as streamlining the process and removing a barrier to becoming a notary. If you see a guide or notary-supply site listing a $5,000 SD bond, it was written before mid-2025 and is now outdated.
South Dakota's 6-year term is one of the longer terms in the country (most states use 4 years). It means fewer renewals over time — a modest but real advantage for long-term notaries.
Yes. Your commission is statewide.
Yes, with conditions. South Dakota allows residents of counties bordering South Dakota to be commissioned IF they maintain a physical place of work or business in South Dakota. You'd fill out the employer/business sections of the application.
In South Dakota, the Secretary of State receives notary applications but forwards them to the Attorney General for approval before the commission is issued. This adds some processing time (the AG review is on top of the SOS's ~14 business days), but it's a routine step for applicants with no disqualifying history.
Yes — now among the cheapest. With the bond eliminated in July 2025, the $30 filing fee is essentially the entire required cost (plus ~$15-35 for a stamp). Total startup is typically under $90.
South Dakota's July 2025 bond elimination makes it one of the cheapest and simplest states to enter. Sioux Falls' financial sector and the state's rural geography both create notary demand. We're recruiting founding-cohort South Dakota notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
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