Michigan notary commission
Michigan notary public: bond, county clerk, then the state
Fill in the notary application, buy a $10,000 surety bond, then take both to your county clerk, pay the $10 county filing fee and take the oath. Finish by paying the $10 state processing fee online. Your commission runs to your birthday six to seven years later, and there is no renewal: you apply again.
Michigan eligibility
- At least 18.
- A Michigan resident or with a place of business in Michigan, and a resident of, or with a principal place of business in, the county you apply in.
- A US citizen or with proof of legal presence, and able to read and write English.
- No felony conviction in the past 10 years, and no more than two misdemeanor convictions under the notary act within a 12-month commissioned period, or three within five years.
- Not currently serving a term in a prison, jail or federal correctional facility.
Source: Notary application, Michigan Department of State; Michigan Law on Notarial Acts.
County first, state second
- Fill in the application. Complete the Notary Application in Online Services, or print the paper form, and print it.
- Buy a $10,000 surety bond. From an insurance agency or bonding company licensed in Michigan. It must say "surety bond", not "blanket bond". Attorneys in good standing file only the oath, with no bond.
- Visit the county clerk. Take the bond and application to your county clerk, pay the county filing fee and take the oath in person. The bond must be filed within 90 days before you apply (MCL 55.273).
- Pay the state fee. Upload the final application and pay the $10 processing fee online, often processed the same day, or mail it with a check (4 to 6 weeks).
- Read the law. Obtain and read the current Michigan notary law before your first act (MCL 55.283).
Source: Notary application, Michigan Department of State; Michigan Law on Notarial Acts.
Two $10 fees and a bond
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| State processing fee | $10 Nonrefundable. |
| County filing fee | $10 The FAQ says Wayne County may charge more. |
| $10,000 surety bond premium | About $50 to $100 The Department's FAQ estimate; get your own quote. |
| Electronic and remote authorization | $0 No separate application or state fee. |
| Name, county and expiration stamp | Vendor price Optional in Michigan. |
Michigan's government fees total $20. The bond premium is the largest cost, and it covers a commission that can last close to seven years.
Source: Notary FAQs; Notary application.
MI starter kit · $29
Michigan Notary Starter Kit
Michigan's bond, county clerk and $10 state fee steps, the birthday expiration, the $10 cap, ID rules, certificate wording without a seal, remote authorization and the remote journal, a checklist, a budget and journal pages.
A birthday expiration and no renewal
A Michigan commission runs from appointment to your birthday six to seven years later (MCL 55.269). There is no renewal process; apply again no more than 60 days before expiration.
For a new address or name, apply for a corrected commission right away (MCL 55.281) with the Request for Duplicate/Notice of Change form; an address change costs nothing. You may notarize anywhere in Michigan, but not out of state.
Source: Notary FAQs; Michigan Law on Notarial Acts.
Remote notarization in Michigan
Remote notarization is permitted: acts that meet the law are treated as meeting the in-presence requirement (MCL 55.286b). There is no separate application or state fee. Submit the Electronic and Remote Notary Request for Change form with your vendor and system details; acts before the Department processes it are invalid.
Use only a platform on the Department's approved vendor list. You must be physically in Michigan; the signer may be in any state or country if visible to you by audio and video. Tell the signer the session is recorded and how it's kept, get consent, and keep recordings at least 10 years.
Source: Michigan Law on Notarial Acts; Notary FAQs.
The $10 cap, no seal, and when a journal is required
Michigan caps any notarial act or individual transaction at $10, remote acts included (MCL 55.285(7)). Travel may be charged only when travel is required and agreed before you go.
Michigan requires no seal for Michigan documents and issues no commission numbers, though an embosser may be needed for documents used elsewhere. Each certificate shows your name as commissioned, "Notary public, State of Michigan, County of ____", your expiration date and the date of the act. A journal is not required for in-person paper notarizations, but remote notarizations require one, kept at least 10 years.
Source: Michigan Law on Notarial Acts; Notary FAQs.
Want loan signings, not just walk-in notarizations? The Loan Signing Cheat Sheet explains the documents in a refinance or purchase package, and the Notary Marketing Kit covers getting found by title companies and local clients.
Michigan notary questions
Do I need a notary seal in Michigan?
Not for Michigan documents. An embosser may be needed for documents used outside Michigan.
How do I renew a Michigan commission?
There's no renewal. Apply again no more than 60 days before your commission expires.
When does a Michigan commission expire?
On your birthday six to seven years after appointment.
Do Michigan attorneys need a bond?
No. Attorneys in good standing file only the oath, with no bond.
Can a Michigan notary notarize in Ohio or Indiana?
No. A Michigan commission covers notarizations in Michigan only.
Guides for other states · Becoming a notary in New Jersey
General information from official Michigan sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of Michigan.