Wisconsin has the lowest bond requirement in the country ($500), a free online exam, and only a $20 application fee. The catch: you need to score 90% on the exam (higher than most states) to pass.
Under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140, eligibility requires:
Wisconsin has the cheapest notary application fee structure in the country. The total to get commissioned is typically under $100.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| DFI application fee | Required | $20 |
| $500 surety bond (4-year term) | Required | $35–$55 |
| Online tutorial and exam | Required | $0 (free) |
| Notary stamp/seal | Required | $15–$35 |
| Notary journal | Optional but recommended | $10–$25 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $70–$135 |
The 90% passing score on the exam is higher than most states (typically 70-80%). The exam is free and can be retaken unlimited times, but you'll want to study the tutorial carefully. Attorneys in good standing with the Wisconsin Supreme Court are exempt from the exam and get a permanent commission instead.
Everything except buying the bond and seal happens online through DFI.
Access the online tutorial at apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/notarytutorialexam. The tutorial covers Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 140, DFI-CCS 25, and the Notary Public Manual.
After the tutorial, take the free online exam. You need 90% or better to pass. Unlimited retakes if needed. Print your completion certificate (valid for 1 year).
Buy a 4-year, $500 bond from any Wisconsin-licensed surety provider. Cost is typically $35-$55. Have the bonding company complete sections 7-13 of the DFI bond form.
Get an engraved official seal or rubber stamp containing "State of Wisconsin," "Notary Public," and your printed full name. Get this before submitting your application — your application requires a stamp impression.
Print the application, complete it with your stamp and signatures. Take the oath of office form to a current notary to be sworn in (the oath must be administered before submission).
Submit through the DFI online portal or mail to: Wisconsin DFI, Notary Records Section, PO Box 7847, Madison, WI 53707-7847. Include application, exam certificate, oath form, bond form, and $20 fee. Approval typically within 2 weeks.
Wisconsin notaries can perform these acts statewide under Wis. Stat. Ch. 140:
Wisconsin allows notaries to set their own fees — no statutory caps:
Milwaukee and Madison are the largest markets. Wisconsin's unique advantage: the no-WI-residency requirement means out-of-state notaries can be commissioned in WI without moving, which can be useful for notaries living near the IL/MN/MI borders who want to expand their service area.
Wisconsin authorized remote online notarization. To perform RON in WI:
Your Wisconsin commission is valid for 4 years. Wisconsin attorneys can opt for a permanent commission instead (no expiration, no bond required, $50 fee).
For non-attorneys, renewal requires retaking the exam (90% pass), purchasing a new $500 bond, and submitting a new $20 application. Start 30-60 days before expiration. The exam certificate is only valid for 1 year, so don't take it too far in advance.
Wisconsin's $500 bond requirement was set in older statute and hasn't been increased like most other states. The reasoning at the time was that notary fees were also low, so high bonds were disproportionate. The practical effect: cheap startup, but minimal public protection per claim. E&O insurance is more important here than in high-bond states.
It's harder than most states (typically 70-80%) but the exam is free and you have unlimited retakes. The tutorial is comprehensive — if you study it thoroughly, 90% is achievable. Most well-prepared applicants pass in 1-3 attempts.
Yes. Wisconsin is one of the few states that doesn't require state residency — just US residency. This is unusual and creates opportunity: notaries living in Chicago, Minneapolis, or border-state cities can be commissioned in WI and perform notarial acts when visiting WI. However, your commission only authorizes you to notarize while physically present in Wisconsin.
Permanent commissions are exclusively for Wisconsin-licensed attorneys in good standing. They don't expire (unless your law license lapses), don't require a bond, and cost $50 instead of $20. Non-attorneys can only get 4-year commissions.
No. Same as initial application — you just need US residency. If you move out of state during your term, your commission remains valid until expiration. You can continue to renew indefinitely as long as you meet the basic requirements.
Some employers offer notary employees a "blanket bond" covering multiple employees. This does NOT satisfy Wisconsin's requirement — you need a separate, specific $500 bond in your individual name. The DFI explicitly rejects blanket bonds.
Wisconsin's no-residency requirement, low bond, and free exam make it the most accessible state in the country for becoming a notary. The 90% exam threshold is the real barrier — and one Smoothquill helps applicants prepare for. We're recruiting founding-cohort Wisconsin notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
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