Become a Michigan Notary
NOTE: First-time Notaries and renewals follow the same process
1. Complete Application
Download the application HERE or complete online at the State of Michigan Online Services.
2. Purchase $10,000 Notary Bond
3. File the Surety Bond with the County Clerk
Present the surety bond and the completed application to the County Clerk's office. The application fee is usually $10.00, but some counties can charge more.
4. Submit the Approved Application to the State of Michigan
Once you have fulfilled the filing requirements at the county level you will need to submit your application via e-Services and pay the $10.00 non-refundable processing fee online.
5. Supply your expiration date to Michigan Notary Service
Once you have received your approval from the State of Michigan with your expiration date, please contact Michigan Notary Service and we can order your stamp. Our contact information is michnotary@earthlink.com or give us a call at (248) 813-8400 (links below).
Qualifications to become a Notary
To meet the qualifications of a Michigan Notary Public, all the following must be met by the applicant.
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Be at least 18 years old
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Be a Michigan resident or maintain a place of business in Michigan
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Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence
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Be a resident of the county in which you request appointment (if you do not reside in Michigan, maintain a principal place of business in the county you request appointment)
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Read and write in the English language
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Be free of any felony convictions within the past 10 years (if previously convicted of a felony, the 10-year period includes completion of the sentence for that crime, any term of imprisonment, parole, or probation, and payment of all fines, costs, and assessments)
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Have not been convicted of 2 or more misdemeanor offenses involving a violation of the Michigan Notary Public Act within a 12-month period while commissioned, or 3 or more misdemeanor offenses involving a violation of this Act within a 5-year period regardless of being commissioned
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Have filed with the appropriate county clerk a proper surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and taken the oath of office as prescribed by the State Constitution (Michigan licensed attorneys are exempt
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Sign a declaration that all information on your application for Michigan Notary Public Commission is correct, that you have read the Michigan Notary Public Act, and that you will perform all notarial acts faithfully
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Are not currently serving a term of imprisonment in any state, county or federal correctional facility is prohibited from being appointed or serving as a notary public
Length of Notary Bond
Each notary public commission is for a 6 to 7-year period ending on the notary's birthday. The term is not less than 6 or more than 7 years from the date of appointment.
If your commission date is before your birthday in that calendar year the term will be 6 years from your birthday.
If your commission date is after your birthday in that calendar year the term will be 7 years from your birthday.
Note: The Secretary of State issues the official commission expiration date as shown on your Notary Public commission card and certificate as well as your official commissioned name and county of commission. Please do not use the commission expiration date shown on the surety bond, as it is not the official State issued expiration date. It is recommended that supplies such as stamps are not purchased until you have confirmed the issued by this office.