How to Become a Notary in Alabama

To become a notary in Alabama, you must:

  1. Meet at least the eligibility requirements listed in the next section.
  2. Download and complete an Application for Notary Public Commission Form.
  3. Submit the application and a copy of your driver’s license to the probate judge in the county of residence.
  4. Pay a $10 application fee.
  5. Complete the Training Course and print the Course Completion Certificate within 30 days of application.
  6. Upon approval, obtain a four-year, $50,000 notary bond within 40 days of the date of the letter of appointment.
  7. Sign the oath of office section of the notary bond in the presence of a notary public.
  8. Present the Training Course Completion Certificate, the notary bond and the notarized oath of office to your local probate office.
  9. Pay a $25 commission fee to your local probate office (this fee may be increased by local legislation). Please contact your local probate judge to determine the fee for a notary commission in your county .
  10. Purchase a notary stamp once you receive your notary commission.

Note: To obtain the information of a county probate judge, visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. The county probate judges deliver to the secretary of state the information required by law of each individual appointed and commissioned.

Click here to start the notary application process in Alabama.

Who can become a notary public in Alabama?

To become a notary public in Alabama, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
  2. Be a resident of the county in which you are seeking appointment.
  3. Not have been convicted of a felony that has become final unless a pardon has restored civil rights.
  4. Not be currently a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding.
  5. Not be currently under an order adjudicating you incapacitated.

This Alabama notary guide will help you understand:

  1. Who can become a notary in Alabama
  2. How to become a notary in Alabama
  3. The basic notary duties of a notary in Alabama
Apply Online Renew Online

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.

Click here to start the notary renewal application process in Alabama.

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.

Alabama Secretary of State
Administrative Services
Notaries Public
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616
Phone: (334) 242-5325

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.

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 includes:

  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.)
  4. A notary seal. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
  5. A notary journal. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
  6. An errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view our notary e/o policy premiums and coverage amounts.

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

A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy 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 E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Alabama notary public.

Alabama notary errors and omissions insurance policies are available to order online at the American Association of Notaries website.

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

Yes. All Alabama notary applicants are required to maintain a four-year, $50,000 notary bond. 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.

Click here to order your four-year Alabama notary bond online at the American Association of Notaries website.

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 same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Alabama notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Alabama notary seal?

Alabama law does not address the steps to follow when a notary seal is lost or stolen. However, the American Association of Notaries recommends you report the incident to the secretary of state and to your local law enforcement agency. After notifying the secretary of state, you may click here to order a new seal.

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?

Notary Journal requirements for each type of notarization 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 on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.

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 or fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.  

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?

Alabama notaries who decide to maintain a notary journal should record the following information when performing traditional and remote notarizations:

  1. The date and time of the notarization.
  2. The type of notarial act performed.
  3. A description of the document.
  4. They type of identification used.
  5. The fee charged.
  6. The printed name and address of the signer.
  7. The signer’s signature.

Note: The above requirements apply to both tangible and electronic notary journals. 

What steps should I take if my Alabama notary journal is lost or stolen?

Since notary journals are optional, Alabama notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and your local probate judge.

How long should I retain my Alabama notary journal?

Alabama notary laws do not address this question, since notary journals are optional. The American Association of Notaries recommends that you keep your notary journal indefinitely.

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

What kind of notarizations are allowed in Alabama?

Alabama law allows the following two types of notarizations: 

Traditional notarization – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Remote notarization – The signer appears before a notary via two-way audio-video communication technology. This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to send the tangible document to each other and for the notary public to use their physical stamp to notarize the tangible document without the aid of an electronic seal or electronic signature.

What are the steps to register to perform remote notarizations in Alabama?

Any notary commissioned in Alabama can perform remote notarizations on tangible documents using two-way, audio-video communication technology that meets state requirements. If you are a current notary, there are no additional steps required to register to perform this type of notarization. Alabama notaries may only perform remote notarizations when taking an acknowledgment.

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. For more information on how to perform remote notarizations in Alabama, visit the secretary of state’s website.

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:

December 2023

Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions. 

Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.