Last Updated on September 19, 2026 by iMichigan Insurance Editorial Team
Michigan Notary Bond Requirements & Application Guide
Learn about Michigan’s $10,000 notary bond requirement, application process, county filing, fees, and commission renewal.
To become a notary public in Michigan, most applicants must obtain a $10,000 surety bond before completing the commissioning process. A surety authorized to do business in Michigan must issue the bond, and you must file it with the appropriate county clerk as part of the application process.
A Michigan notary bond protects the public from certain financial losses resulting from a notary’s misconduct or failure to perform a notarial act properly. The bond does not protect the notary from personal liability. Michigan attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are exempt from the surety bond requirement.
Michigan Notary Bond Requirements at a Glance
- Required surety bond: $10,000 for most applicants
- Typical bond cost: Generally $50–$100
- Bond filed with: County clerk
- County filing and oath fee: Generally $10, although some counties may charge more
- State processing fee: $10
- Oath of office: Required
- Commission term: 6 to 7 years, ending on the notary’s birthday
- Attorney exemption: Michigan attorneys in good standing are exempt from the surety bond requirement
Who Can Become a Notary Public in Michigan?
Michigan establishes eligibility requirements for anyone applying for a notary public commission. In general, an applicant must meet requirements that include:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Michigan resident or maintain a qualifying place of business in Michigan.
- Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence in the United States.
- Be able to read and write in English.
- Meet Michigan’s requirements concerning criminal convictions and previous notary violations.
- Obtain and file the required $10,000 surety bond unless exempt.
- Complete the required application and oath of office.
Eligibility rules can vary for Michigan residents and nonresidents who maintain a principal place of business in the state. Applicants should review the current requirements from the Michigan Department of State Notary Application page before applying.
How to Get a Michigan Notary Bond and Apply
Purchasing the surety bond is only one part of becoming a Michigan notary. Applicants must complete the remaining state and county requirements before performing notarial acts.
Step 1: Complete the Michigan Notary Application.
Start by completing the Michigan Notary Public Application. Michigan offers an online application process and a paper application option. The Michigan Department of State encourages applicants to use the online process because online applications receive priority over mailed applications.
Carefully review your application before proceeding. Keep your name and other identifying information consistent throughout the application, bond, and county filing process.
Visit the official Michigan Notary Application page.
Step 2: Obtain the Required $10,000 Michigan Notary Bond
Most applicants must purchase a $10,000 surety bond from a surety company authorized to do business in Michigan. You must obtain the bond before completing the county clerk portion of the application process.
The $10,000 amount is the required bond amount, not what you pay to purchase the bond. According to the Michigan Department of State, a notary surety bond generally costs between $50 and $100.
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We can help Michigan notary applicants obtain the required $10,000 surety bond and explain optional coverage available for additional protection.
Step 3: File Your Bond With the County Clerk and Take the Oath
After obtaining the bond, take your completed application and surety bond to the appropriate county clerk. Michigan residents generally file with the clerk in their county of residence. Different rules apply to qualifying nonresident applicants who maintain a principal place of business in Michigan.
The county clerk files the bond, administers the required Oath of Office, and completes the county portion of the application. Michigan states that the filing and oath fee is generally $10, although some counties may charge more.
Step 4: Submit Your Application to the State of Michigan
After completing the county clerk requirements, submit the processed application according to the Michigan Department of State’s current instructions. Online applicants can upload the completed application through Michigan’s online system and pay the required processing fee electronically.
Applicants using the paper process can submit the completed application and required fee according to the mailing instructions provided by the Office of the Great Seal. Michigan currently charges a $10 nonrefundable processing fee for the notary application.
Important: Purchasing and filing your surety bond does not by itself authorize you to begin performing notarizations. Wait until the State of Michigan has processed your application and your commission is valid before performing notarial acts.
Step 5: Confirm Your Michigan Notary Commission
Once the application is processed, confirm your commission is valid and review the official commission information, including your commission expiration date. Michigan advises applicants not to rely on an expiration date printed on a surety bond as the official expiration date of the notary commission.
Michigan notary commissions generally last 6 to 7 years and expire on the notary’s birthday. The state sets the actual expiration date as part of the commissioning process.
How Much Does a $10,000 Michigan Notary Bond Cost?
One common point of confusion is the difference between the bond amount and the bond price. Michigan requires a $10,000 surety bond, but applicants do not pay $10,000 to purchase it.
The Michigan Department of State states that notary surety bonds generally cost between $50 and $100. The actual price can vary by provider and by any additional products or services purchased with the bond.
Applicants should also budget for the county filing and oath fee and the state’s $10 application processing fee.
What Does a Michigan Notary Bond Cover?
A Michigan notary bond protects the public, not the individual notary. If someone suffers covered financial harm because of a notary’s misconduct or improper performance of a notarial act, a claim may be made against the bond.
- The required bond amount is $10,000.
- The bond protects the public financially rather than protecting the notary from personal liability.
- If the surety pays a valid claim, it may seek reimbursement from the notary.
- If claims reduce or exhaust the required bond protection, the notary may need replacement bonding.
This distinction is important because a surety bond works differently from an insurance policy designed to protect the insured.
Michigan Notary Bond vs. Errors & Omissions Insurance
A Michigan notary bond and Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance serve different purposes. The required surety bond protects the public, while optional notary E&O insurance helps protect the notary against certain covered claims arising from mistakes or omissions made while performing notarial duties.
E&O insurance is not a substitute for Michigan’s required surety bond. Notaries who want to understand potential liability, common claim situations, and optional protection should review our separate guide to Michigan Notary E&O Insurance: Coverage, Risks, and Legal Rules.
How Long Does a Michigan Notary Commission Last?
A Michigan notary commission lasts approximately 6 to 7 years. The commission expires on the notary’s birthday, and Michigan determines the exact expiration date when it issues the commission.
Do not assume the expiration date shown on a surety bond is your official notary commission expiration date. Use the commission information issued by the State of Michigan.
How to Renew a Michigan Notary Commission
Michigan notary commissions do not simply continue indefinitely. To keep serving after your current commission expires, you must complete the state’s reappointment process.
The Michigan Department of State recommends beginning the reappointment process within 60 days before the current commission expires to help avoid a gap between commissions. Most applicants will need a new $10,000 surety bond and must complete the required county and state steps again.
Because requirements can change, renewing notaries should verify the current process with the Michigan Department of State Notary Services before beginning a renewal.
Common Michigan Notary Application Mistakes
A simple application or filing error can delay a new commission. Before submitting your paperwork, check for these common problems:
- Submitting an incomplete or inaccurate application.
- Using inconsistent names or information on the application and bond documents.
- Obtaining a bond that does not satisfy Michigan’s $10,000 requirement.
- Purchasing a bond from a provider that is not authorized to issue the required surety bond in Michigan.
- Failing to complete the county clerk filing and Oath of Office.
- Forgetting the required state application processing fee.
- Assuming that purchasing the bond alone completes the commissioning process.
- Beginning to perform notarial acts before the commission becomes valid.
A simple way to think about the process:
Application → $10,000 surety bond → County clerk and oath → Submit completed application to Michigan → Confirm commission is valid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Notary Bonds
Most Michigan notary applicants must obtain a $10,000 surety bond and file it with the appropriate county clerk. Michigan attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan are exempt from the surety bond requirement.
The $10,000 amount is the required bond amount, not the purchase price. The Michigan Department of State states that a notary surety bond generally costs between $50 and $100.
Michigan residents generally file the required surety bond with the county clerk in their county of residence. The county clerk also administers the required Oath of Office. Different rules may apply to qualifying nonresident applicants who maintain a principal place of business in Michigan.
Yes. Michigan offers an online application process and encourages applicants to apply online. Applicants still need to complete the required surety bond, county clerk filing, and oath requirements.
Michigan notary commissions generally last 6 to 7 years and expire on the notary’s birthday. The State of Michigan sets the official expiration date when it issues the commission.
No. The required surety bond protects the public. If a surety pays a valid claim, it may seek reimbursement from the notary. Optional Errors & Omissions insurance serves a different purpose and may help protect the notary against certain covered claims.
Michigan’s commissioning requirements include the required $10,000 surety bond for most applicants, but notary errors & Omissions insurance is optional. E&O insurance does not replace the required surety bond.
Official Michigan Notary Resources
The State of Michigan establishes notary requirements, and they can change. Before submitting an application, applicants should verify current requirements, fees, and procedures through the Michigan Department of State Notary Services.
Need a $10,000 Michigan Notary Bond?
If you’re applying for a new Michigan notary commission or preparing for reappointment, we can help you obtain the required $10,000 surety bond and answer questions about optional E&O coverage.
