If you’re considering becoming a Michigan notary public, keep reading to find out how to be commissioned and why you’ll need a surety bond.
Applying for a Michigan notary public commission
Notaries public act as fraud prevention, confirming the identities of the parties signing the documents. If you work or want to work as a notary in Michigan, make sure to read the Michigan Notary Public Act to ensure you understand the scope of your duties.
Michigan notary applicants receive their commission from the Secretary of State. There are many qualifications applicants must meet, including:
- At least 18 years old
- Resident or business owner in Michigan; must live or maintain a business in the county in which you request appointment
- U.S. citizen or proof of legal presence
- Read and write English
- No felony convictions in the previous ten years
This list is not complete so be sure to review the qualifications before applying. Here’s some of the information would-be notaries are asked to provide on the application:
- Name, address, phone number, DOB, email, and driver’s license number
- $10 filing fee
- $10,000 surety bond
Michigan notaries’ commission expiration date is determined in a unique way: it expires six years from your next birthday at the time you are commissioned. So, if you were commissioned in November 2017, and have a birthday this month, your license would expire on your birthday in January 2024. You can apply to be recommissioned no more than 60 days before expiration. Notaries can charge up to $10 for each notarial act they perform.
Unlike many states, Michigan does not require notaries to purchase a stamp or seal. However, since documents may require the stamp or seal if they are sent out of state, you may want to purchase one or the other. Michigan notaries are also not required to keep records, though if they do, they must keep the records for five years.
Why do notaries need a surety bond?
Since a notary’s job is to prevent fraud, the surety bond is their guarantee that they will perform notarial acts as the law dictates. The $10,000 bond required of Michigan notaries protects anyone from suffering financial damages as a result of bad or unethical business practices. The state does not allow personal assets or blanket bonds in lieu of this bond.
Michigan notary bond premiums generally range from $50-$100 for a one-year term. Make sure your bond is continuous for the length of your commission or be sure to renew it annually. It’s easy to get this bond�just get in touch with Single Source Insurance today!