How to Become a Notary in Alabama

How do I renew my notary commission in Alabama?

To renew your notary commission in Alabama:

1. Print, complete and submit an Application for Notary Public Commission to your local Probate Judge.
2. Complete the free Training Course and print your Training Course Completion Certificate.
3. Upon approval, obtain your four-year, $50,000 notary bond.
4. Sign the oath of office section of the notary bond in the presence of a notary public.
5. Present your notarized bond, Training Course Completion Certificate, and pay any applicable fees to your local Probate Judge.
6. Purchase a notary stamp once you receive your notary commission.

Who appoints notaries in Alabama?

Alabama notaries are appointed and commissioned by the probate judges of the various counties. The county probate judges report the name, county, date of issuance, and date of expiration of the commission of each notary public appointed and commissioned to the Alabama Secretary of State.

To contact the secretary of state:

Alabama Secretary of State
Administrative Services
Notaries Public
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616
Phone: (334) 353-7854

Can a non-resident of Alabama apply for a commission as a notary public?

No. An individual who is not a resident of Alabama does not qualify for an Alabama notary public commission.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Alabama?

The term of office for an Alabama notary public is four years commencing with the date specified in the notary public commission. However, a notary’s commission may be rendered void:

1. By resignation.
2. By death.
3. By revocation.
4. When a notary is no longer a resident of the county in which he or she is appointed and commissioned.
5. When a notary public has been convicted of a felony that has become final and no pardon or certificate of restoration of citizenship rights has been granted.

Furthermore, a judge of probate may issue a warning to a notary or restrict, suspend, or revoke a notarial commission upon the same grounds for which an application for a commission may be denied.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Alabama?

Yes. Effective September 1, 2023, all notary applicants, unless exempted by law, must successfully complete an approved Online Notary Public Training Course provided by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute. This training program must be completed within 30 days after submitting the application. However, an exam is not required.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Alabama?

The cost to become a notary in Alabama is as follows:

1. $10 – The filing fee to process a notary commission application.
2. $75 – The cost of a $50,000 notary bond.
3. $25 – The fee for the probate judge to issue a notary commission. (This fee may be increased by local legislation.)

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

1. A notary seal (available for $21.95 from AAN).
2. A notary journal (available for $11.95 from AAN).
3. An errors and omissions insurance policy to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you.  (This step is optional.)

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Alabama?

A notary errors and omissions insurance policy is optional in Alabama and is not required to become an Alabama notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Alabama notary obtain a notary errors and omissions insurance policy. This insurance protects you if a client sues you as a notary. A notary errors and omissions policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages up to the policy limit.

Click here to view a list of available coverage amounts and premiums (prices) for an Alabama notary errors and omissions insurance policy provided by the American Association of Notaries.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Alabama?

Yes. An Alabama notary bond in the amount of $50,000 is required for all new and renewing notary applicants. The notary bond must be executed, approved, filed, and recorded in the office of the probate judge of  your resident county within 40 days from the date of the letter of appointment.  

A notary bond protects the public from any fraud, mistakes, or misconduct on the part of the notary. If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

The American Association of Notaries is a licensed bonding agency in the state of Alabama. Click here to purchase your four-year, $50,000 Alabama notary bond.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Alabama?

Yes. The Alabama notary statute requires all notaries public to authenticate all their notarial acts with a notary seal.  The notary seal can be either inked or embossed. The impression of the notary seal must have the following information (COA §36-20-72):  

• Name of the notary public
• Office (Notary Public)
•  State of Alabama or Alabama State at Large

Note: The ink color, shape, and dimensions of a notary seal are not specified by the Alabama notary statute.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Alabama notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

How much can an Alabama notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

The Alabama notarial fees are set by the state notary statute (COA §36-20-74). The maximum allowable fees that a notary public can charge for notarial acts are listed below:

• Taking an acknowledgment - $10
• Administering an oath or affirmation - $10
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument - $10

Note: If you are a state, county, or municipal employee you may not charge a fee for any notarial act performed during your public service unless provided by law.

Is a notary journal required in Alabama?

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery and fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.
 

Notary journal requirements in Alabama for traditional and remote notarizations
Alabama notaries are not required to record their notarial acts in a notary journal. However, the Alabama Secretary of State strongly recommends that all notarial acts be recorded in a journal. A notary public can maintain a journal in a tangible medium or electronic format.
 

The American Association of Notaries offers a wide variety of notary journals.  

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal. 

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal. 

What information must Alabama notaries record in their notary journals?

If you decide to maintain a notary journal; you should record the following information when performing traditional and remote notarizations:

• The date and time of the notarization.
• The type of notarial act performed.
• A description of the document.
• They type of identification used.
• The fee charged.
• The printed name and address of the signer.
• The signer’s signature.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Alabama?

A notary public in Alabama has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts in any county anywhere within the geographic borders of the state of Alabama (COA §36-20-70an). Likewise, an Alabama notary may not perform notarial acts outside of Alabama.

What notarial acts can an Alabama notary public perform?

An Alabama notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts (COA §36-20-73):  

• Taking an acknowledgment or proof of instruments of writing relating to commerce or navigation and certify the same and all other of their official acts under their seal of office.
• Administering an oath or affirmation
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument
• Exercising such other powers as, according to commercial usage or the laws of Alabama, may belong to notaries public

Can I perform electronic notarizations in Alabama?

No. Alabama does not allow electronic notarizations or the use of electronic signatures or seals.

Can I perform remote notarizations in Alabama?

Yes. Effective July 1, 2021, Alabama Notaries can apply to perform remote online notarization (RON). Specifically, Alabama Notaries can take acknowledgments remotely as long as the notaries themselves are physically located within the state at the time of the notarial act.

How do I become a remote notary in Alabama?

To provide remote notary services, you are required to comply with the following:

1. Hold an existing commission as a traditional notary public.
2. Use two-way, audio-video communication technology that meets state requirements.

Note: Alabama notaries who are conducting remote notarizations are required to use a wet ink signature and inked seal or embosser on the tangible document.

How long is the term of a remote notary in Alabama?

Your authority to perform remote notarizations runs consecutively with your notary commission. Once the commission term ends, renewal is required before offering notary services remotely again.

What notarial acts can a remote online notary in Alabama perform?

Notaries may only perform remote notarizations when taking an acknowledgment.

Note: Remote notarizations may not be used to notarize an absentee ballot application or an absentee ballot affidavit, or for any purpose related to voting.

How do I update my address on my Alabama notary commission?

The Alabama notary statute does not provide statutory requirements on what steps Alabama notaries should take to update their addresses on their notary commissions. However, it is recommended that notaries contact their local probate judges before the change to notify them and receive further information regarding their notary public commissions. To obtain information on a county probate judge, visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Alabama?

The Alabama notary statute does not direct Alabama notaries how to report name changes on their notary public commissions. However, it is recommended that notaries contact their local probate judges before any name change to notify them and to receive further information regarding their notary public commissions. To obtain information on a county probate judge, visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.

Revised:

September 2023