How to Become a Notary Public in Wyoming

There is a $60 fee to apply for a Notary Public commission. Additional costs for the required education course, exam, journal and bond vary depending on vendors.

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 Wyoming Secretary of State's office estimates five to seven days for processing a Notary Public commission application after they receive the application.

The term of a Wyoming Notary commission is six years.

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

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S. or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S.
• Be a resident of Wyoming or have a place of employment or practice in the state or be the spouse or legal dependent of military personnel assigned to active duty in Wyoming
• Have passed the exam required under W.S. 32-3-121(a)
• Not have been convicted of a felony unless a pardon has restored your civil and political rights, or the conviction has been reversed or annulled

Applicants must review the Notary Education Presentation. You may also take a Notary training course to meet education requirements as provided in rule and in WS 32-3-121. The National Notary Assocation offers a state-approved training course and exam. The course should cover the laws, rules, procedures and ethics relevant to notarial acts.

Applicants must score at least 70% to pass the exam found on page 3 of the application.

Wyoming Notaries must use a sealed stamp must be used for all notarial acts. The stamp must be rectangular in shape and approximately 1" wide x 2.5" long in blue or black ink. It must have a border outline that contains the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your commission
• The words "Notary Public"
• The words "State of Wyoming"
• Your commission ID number
• The words "My commission expires _________ (date)"
• Any other information required by the Secretary of State

Images of the Great Seal of the State of Wyoming and county of residence are not allowed on the stamp.

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

The Secretary of State requires Notaries to maintain at least one journal either on a tangible medium or in an electronic format. If you choose to keep a physical journal, you may want to consider a journal that is tamper-proof, is permanently bound, and has pre-numbered pages and entry spaces for easy recordkeeping. The journal should never be shared or used by other Notaries.

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.

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. Any damages paid from the bond go to cover any signer's losses and must be paid back to the surety company by you.

Wyoming Notaries are not required to purchase a surety bond. While you won't be required to get bonded, you may want to consider protecting yourself as a Notary from possible legal costs or damages by purchasing 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 Wyoming Office of Secretary of State, Notary Division, located in Cheyenne, WY, issues Notary Public commissions.

Yes. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become a Wyoming Notary Public. You must, however, be a resident of the state and meet all other application requirements.

A Wyoming Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders. Wyoming Notaries may administer oaths or proofs of acknowledgment in a bordering state if that state recognizes the Wyoming Notary's authority to do so. Currently, Montana is the only state that meets this requirement.

Any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization, excluding yourself. You may not notarize any documents in which you have a financial or beneficial interest. While Wyoming law doesn't specifically prohibit you from notarizing the signatures of relatives, the state strongly advises against it as it would put into question your role as an impartial witness.

Wyoming Notaries may charge no more than $10 per notarization.

An additional fee for travel may be charged as long as the signer agrees to it ahead of the transaction and understands the travel fee is separate from the notarial fee. Wyoming Notaries may charge a technology fee for electronic notarizations.

You must notify the Secretary of State of any changes to your address or name within 30 days of the change. If you move within the county you're commissioned in, letting the Secretary know of your new address will ensure you receive information about law changes or other courtesy mailings.

For name changes, you have three options: 1) Apply for a new commission under the new name or when you renew, 2) Continue using your former name at no cost, or 3) File a document evidencing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order) with the Secretary. You must include a sample of your handwritten official signature on the notice as well as a $10 filing fee.

By filing a document evidencing the name change, you may add your new name after your name on the commission. You won't need to get a new seal, but you will need to add your new name after your former name on every document you notarize.

The process to renew your commission is the same as the process to become a Wyoming Notary. You will be required to complete the Notary Education Presentation or a training course from an approved provider, pass the exam, and obtain a new official stamp. You will also need to maintain a physical or electronic journal for all notarial acts.

The Secretary of State does not send you a notice to remind you of your commission expiration date, so it's your responsibility to complete the application before your commission expires. The Secretary will accept renewal applications starting six weeks prior to your commission expiration, and they recommend submitting it at least two to three weeks prior to prevent a lapse in your commission.

Starting on July 1, 2021, Notaries with an active commission may apply to perform remote online notarizations for signers anywhere. Learn how you can become a remote online Notary in Wyoming with this guide.

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.