Vermont has a 2-year commission term on a biennial cycle. New applicants must pass the Vermont State Jurisprudence Exam (open-book, in effect since February 2021). There's no bond and no required stamp — Vermont is one of the most affordable states for notary entry.
Under 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103, the requirements are:
Vermont is one of the most affordable states for notary entry — no bond, no required stamp, and a low application fee.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Professional Regulation application fee | Required | $30 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Optional in Vermont | $0–$35 |
| Notary journal | Optional but recommended | $10–$25 |
| Surety bond | Not required | $0 |
| Education course | Not required | $0 |
| Vermont State Jurisprudence Exam | Required (new applicants) | Free/low cost |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $30–$90 |
Vermont's notary program is administered by the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). The Jurisprudence Exam is open-book — you can reference Vermont's notarial statutes during the test, so organize your materials beforehand. Vermont does NOT require a notary stamp (seal is optional), though your commission expiration date must appear in every notarial act you perform. Town clerks, assistant town clerks, and justices of the peace get the application fee waived but generally still take the exam.
Vermont's process is exam-first, then online application through OPR.
Review 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103 and the Vermont administrative rules for notaries. The Jurisprudence Exam is based on these. Organize your reference materials — the exam is open-book.
Take the open-book exam, which tests your knowledge of Vermont's notarial statutes and administrative rules. It's been required for first-time applicants since February 1, 2021.
Have your application references organized and ready before you apply.
Log in to the Office of Professional Regulation's Online Services System to submit your application. Pay the $30 application fee. (Town clerks, assistant town clerks, and justices of the peace have the fee waived.)
Once approved, you'll receive your Vermont notary commission, valid through the biennial cycle.
A stamp is optional in Vermont, but recommended for professional consistency. Whether or not you use a stamp, your commission expiration date must appear in every notarial act. Then you're ready to notarize.
Vermont notaries can perform these acts statewide under 26 V.S.A. Chapter 103 (3 V.S.A. §129a):
Vermont does not set statutory maximum fees — notaries set their own reasonable rates:
Burlington (and the surrounding Chittenden County) is the dominant market, with Montpelier, Rutland, and Brattleboro as smaller markets. Vermont's tourism economy and second-home/vacation-property market generate real estate notarial work, and Burlington's status as the largest population center concentrates most professional demand.
Vermont authorized RON. To perform RON in Vermont:
Your Vermont commission runs on a 2-year biennial cycle. Renewal is through the OPR Online Services System.
Vermont's biennial cycle means more frequent renewals than the typical 4-year state — budget for the $30 fee every 2 years. Renewals are handled online through OPR. The Jurisprudence Exam is a first-time requirement; renewing notaries follow OPR's renewal process.
Not especially — it's open-book. You can reference Vermont's notarial statutes during the test, so the key is organizing your reference materials beforehand so you can find answers quickly. It tests Vermont-specific notary law (26 V.S.A. Chapter 103), so focus on VT statutes rather than general notary knowledge. It's been required for first-time applicants since February 1, 2021.
Correct — Vermont does not require a notary stamp or seal. It's optional. However, whether or not you use a stamp, your commission expiration date must appear in every notarial act you perform. Most notaries use a stamp anyway for professional consistency and to satisfy out-of-state expectations.
Vermont uses a 2-year biennial commission cycle. This means more frequent renewals than the 4-year norm. The upside is the low cost ($30 per cycle); the downside is the renewal frequency. Budget for the $30 fee every 2 years.
Yes. Your commission is statewide.
The Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). You apply and renew through OPR's Online Services System. OPR regulates many Vermont professions, and notaries are one of them.
Yes. Town clerks, assistant town clerks, and justices of the peace have the $30 application fee waived. However, they generally still need to pass the Jurisprudence Exam — the fee waiver doesn't exempt them from the exam requirement.
Vermont's low cost ($30-90), no-bond structure, and optional stamp make it one of the cheapest states to enter. Burlington and Chittenden County anchor the market. We're recruiting founding-cohort Vermont notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
Apply to Smoothquill →Founding cohort · 10 spots · $10 flat platform fee for life