How to Become a Notary Public in Iowa

There is a $30 fee to apply for a Notary Public commission and a $30 fee to take the state-required training course. Additional costs for Notary tools vary depending on vendors.

The cost of commissioning can differ depending on whether you are a new or renewing Notary. Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

The Iowa Secretary of State recommends allowing four to six weeks for the processing of a Notary Public commission application.

The term of an Iowa Notary commission is three years for an Iowa resident and one year for a resident of a state bordering Iowa.

A Notary Public applicant in Iowa must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.
• Live or work in the state of Iowa, but any out-of-state applicant must live in a state bordering Iowa
• Be able to read and write English
• Not have been convicted of a felony involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit.

While taking a Notary training course is not required by law, it is strongly recommended that you read the Handbook for Iowa Notaries Public and take a course of study that helps you learn the ins and outs of what a Notary does and why. If you want to feel confident and knowledgable before your first signing, the NNA offers a course specifically for Iowa Notaries.

Iowa Notaries must have a stamp to notarize documents that is capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached. The seal must contain the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your commission
• The words "Notarial Seal"
• The word "Iowa"
• The words "Commission Number _______ (number the Secretary of State assigned to you)"
• The words "My Commission Expires _______ (date or blank line)"
• Other information required by the Secretary of State

If the official stamp has a blank line, you must print the date your term would ordinarily expire on each notarized document.

When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Ask if stamps carry a lifetime guarantee. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging.

While not required in Iowa, keeping a record of all notarial acts in a Notary journal is strongly recommended. When purchasing a journal, there are features to which you must pay close attention. A journal with tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you're ever named in a lawsuit.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

Iowa Notaries are not required to purchase a surety bond. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that the Notary will fulfill their obligations to notarize in compliance with state laws. This Notary bond specifically protects the public and not the Notary.

Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by getting a separate, optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law, an E&O policy covers a Notary's legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy.

The Iowa Office of Secretary of State, Notary Division, located in Des Moines, IA, commissions Notaries Public.

Yes. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become an Iowa Notary Public. You must, however, be a permanent legal resident of the United States.

An Iowa Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders.

Any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization, excluding yourself and your spouse. You're prohibited from performing a notarial act in which you or your spouse have a direct beneficial interest.

Iowa Secretary of State allows Notaries to charge a reasonable fee per notarization. As a best practice, inform signers of your fees in advance to avoid any confusion.

If you move or change your name, you can submit a Notary Public Change/Amendment to Application form to the Secretary of State. If you change your name, you have the option to use your new one or continue using the one on your commission until your Notary term ends. It's recommended to update your name immediately with the SOS in case a third-party requests certification of your commission.

The process is the same. Approximately two months before your commission expires, the Secretary of State will send you a renewal form.

On July 1, 2020, Iowa authorized remote online notarizations (RON). Notaries must hold an existing commission as a Notary Public before they can apply. Once you're commissioned, follow the steps in this guide to become an IA remote Notary.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.