Utah notary commission
Utah notary commission: the exam, a background check and the new S.B. 139 journal
Create an account at notaryapplication.utah.gov, pay the $95 fee and pass the online exam, and complete the mandatory background check. Buy a $5,000 bond, sign and notarize the oath, and upload both; your Certificate of Authority comes by email. Under S.B. 139, effective May 6, 2026, new and renewing notaries keep a journal for 10 years after the last act and accept only unexpired IDs. The term is four years.
Utah eligibility
- 18 or older.
- A US citizen, or with permanent resident status under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Lawfully residing in Utah, or employed in the state, for at least 30 days before applying.
- Able to read, write and understand English.
- A passing score on the online exam and the mandatory background check.
- A bond and oath of office uploaded with no significant misstatement or omission of facts.
Source: Process and Qualifications, Utah Lieutenant Governor.
Exam, background check, bond, upload
- Create your account. At notaryapplication.utah.gov. This starts your application and the test.
- Pay for and pass the exam. The $95 administration fee is nonrefundable and results are instant. Retakes cost $40 each, at that rate for 30 days from your first test.
- Complete the background check. Required since November 1, 2019. You won't be told when it's processed, so carry on.
- Buy the $5,000 bond and sign the oath. The bond name must match your application and you sign it as principal. The oath usually comes with the bond; have it notarized.
- Upload the bond and oath. There's no final submit button: once uploaded, the application is complete. The Certificate of Authority comes by email; then buy your stamp and journal from a private vendor.
Source: Process and Qualifications.
Utah costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam administration fee | $95 Nonrefundable. |
| Exam retake | $40 each At that rate for 30 days from your first test. |
| $5,000 bond | Premium set by surety Remote notaries carry $10,000 of coverage in total. |
| Stamp and journal | Vendor price Bought after the Certificate of Authority arrives. |
| Remote online notary application | $50 Optional, paid after the office reviews your documents. |
If you pass the first time, the state's charge is the $95 exam fee. The bond premium, stamp and journal come from vendors.
Source: Process and Qualifications.
UT starter kit · $29
Utah Notary Starter Kit
Utah's $95 exam, background check, $5,000 bond and upload steps, the $10 and $25 fee caps, the S.B. 139 journal and unexpired-ID rules, the purple-ink seal, remote online notary status, a checklist, a budget and journal pages.
Four years, and the test again to renew
A Utah commission lasts four years and is valid anywhere in Utah (46-1-3(5)). Utah has no renewal provision: use your current login to update your information and take the test again. Report a name change with a bond rider, or an address change, within 30 days (46-1-20).
A new application system was postponed on June 22, 2026; the current application stays open until further notice.
Source: Process and Qualifications; Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook.
Remote online notarization in Utah
You must already hold a Utah commission, and you reapply for remote status at each new commission. Be hired or contracted by an approved vendor, which provides a unique electronic signature and seal. Raise your bond coverage to $10,000 (the office recommends a rider rather than a separate $5,000 bond) and pay the $50 remote application fee after the office reviews your documents.
You must be physically in Utah (46-1-3.6(1)). Record each remote notarization on audio and video, store it with your electronic journal, and keep a backup of the journal and recording. A remote notarization is the only kind that may go in an electronic journal.
Source: Process and Qualifications; Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook.
What S.B. 139 changed on May 6, 2026
Journals are required for notaries commissioned or renewing on or after May 6, 2026: a physical journal in date order with an entry for every notarization, every refusal and every permitted inspection, including the ID's expiration date. Keep it in a secure location for 10 years after the last recorded act, then destroy it. The law also added a journal inspection process and made unauthorized use or possession of a notary seal or journal a crime.
Satisfactory evidence of identity now requires an unexpired ID, and credible witnesses who personally know the signer are allowed in certain cases. The guidance lists no fee change: most acts stay capped at $10 and each item in a remote notarization at $25 (46-1-12).
Source: S.B. 139 Notary Amendments, Updates and Guidance; Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook.
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.
Utah notary questions
How much is the Utah notary exam?
$95 for the first attempt, nonrefundable. Retakes cost $40 each for 30 days from your first test.
Does Utah require a notary journal now?
Yes, for notaries commissioned or renewing on or after May 6, 2026, under S.B. 139. Keep it 10 years after the last recorded act.
Can a Utah notary accept an expired ID?
No. Since May 6, 2026, satisfactory evidence of identity requires an unexpired ID, and you record its expiration date.
How do I renew a Utah notary commission?
Utah has no renewal provision. Use your current login to update your information and take the test again.
What can a Utah notary charge?
Up to $10 for most acts, such as each acknowledgment or jurat signature, and $25 for each item in a remote notarization.
Guides for other states · Becoming a notary in New Jersey
General information from official Utah sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of Utah.