Alabama Notary Public BondInstant Approval • No Credit Check

Alabama requires all notaries public to obtain a $50,000 surety bond, doubled from the previous $25,000 requirement effective September 1, 2023. This makes Alabama's notary bond one of the highest in the nation, reflecting the state's commitment to protecting the public from financial losses caused by notarial errors or misconduct. Similar to contractor license bonds and probate bonds, notary bonds provide essential public protection. Visit our home page for all bond types.

The Alabama notary bond must be filed with your county probate judge along with your commission application and remains in effect for the entire 4-year commission term. Alabama uses a unique county-based system where probate judges appoint and commission notaries, unlike most states where the Secretary of State handles notary commissions directly. This decentralized approach ensures local oversight and accountability.

Beginning September 1, 2023, Alabama also implemented a mandatory training requirement for all new and renewal notary applicants (except attorneys). This online training program, developed by the Alabama Law Institute and Alabama Probate Judges Association, must be completed within 30 days after submitting your application. These recent changes demonstrate Alabama's enhanced focus on notary competency and public protection.

On September 1, 2023, Alabama implemented significant changes to notary public requirements that affect all applicants. These changes represent the most substantial updates to Alabama notary law in recent years and impact both bond requirements and training standards.

Bond Amount Increase: $25,000 to $50,000

The most significant change is the doubling of the required bond amount from $25,000 to $50,000. This increase applies to all new notary applications and renewals submitted on or after September 1, 2023. The higher bond amount provides greater financial protection to Alabama residents and businesses who rely on notarized documents for real estate transactions, legal proceedings, financial agreements, and other important matters.

Importantly, current notaries who obtained their $25,000 bonds before September 1, 2023, do not need to increase their bond amount until their next renewal. Your existing $25,000 bond remains valid for the remainder of your current 4-year commission term. However, when you renew your commission, you must purchase the new $50,000 bond requirement.

New Mandatory Training Requirement

Also effective September 1, 2023, Alabama now requires all new and renewal notary applicants (except licensed attorneys) to complete an online training program. This training course, developed jointly by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute, covers essential notary laws, procedures, and best practices.

The training must be completed within 30 days after submitting your notary application to the probate judge. This timeframe allows applicants to purchase their bond, submit their application, and then complete the required training before final commission approval. The training ensures that all Alabama notaries possess baseline knowledge of proper notarial procedures, identification requirements, certificate completion, and ethical obligations.

Increased Commission Fee

Along with the bond and training requirements, the fee for issuance of a notary commission increased from $10 to $25. Combined with the $10 application fee, new notaries now pay $35 in fees to the probate judge, plus the cost of the $50,000 bond (typically $35-55 for the 4-year term). Despite these increases, Alabama notary costs remain reasonable compared to many other states.

Becoming a notary in Alabama requires working through your county probate judge rather than the state Secretary of State. The process takes approximately 4-6 weeks from application to commission, with mandatory training required for all non-attorney applicants. According to the Alabama Secretary of State, all new and renewal notary applicants must complete a pre-commission training program effective September 1, 2023.

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility

Confirm that you meet all Alabama requirements: at least 18 years old, resident of the specific county where applying, able to read and write English, no felony conviction unless pardoned, not currently in bankruptcy proceedings, and not adjudicated incapacitated. Alabama uses a county-based system where you must apply through the probate judge in your county of residence.

Step 2: Complete Training Requirement

Beginning September 1, 2023, all new and renewal notary applicants (except licensed attorneys) must complete an online training program prepared by the Alabama Law Institute and Alabama Probate Judges Association. This training must be completed within 30 days after submitting your application and covers Alabama notary laws, proper procedures, identification requirements, certificate completion, and ethical obligations.

Step 3: Purchase Your $50,000 Notary Bond

Alabama requires a $50,000 surety bond for a 4-year term (increased from $25,000 effective September 2023). You can get instant approval with no credit check. The bond typically costs $35-55 for the entire 4-year commission period and must be filed with your county probate judge along with your application. Existing notaries with $25,000 bonds do not need to upgrade until renewal.

Step 4: Apply Through Your County Probate Judge

Visit or contact your county probate judge's office to obtain the notary application. Complete all required information accurately and submit your application along with your original bond certificate, $10 application fee, and $25 commission fee. Each of Alabama's 67 counties handles its own notary appointments, so you must apply in your county of residence.

Step 5: Take Your Oath of Office

Once your application is approved and training completed, appear before the probate judge or authorized staff to take your oath of office. This oath is a solemn promise to faithfully discharge your duties as a notary public according to Alabama law. The probate judge then issues your commission certificate and reports your appointment to the Alabama Secretary of State.

Step 6: Purchase Your Notary Seal and Journal

With your commission certificate in hand, purchase your official notary seal (stamp) and notary journal from an approved vendor. Alabama law specifies the required content for notary seals. You are now ready to perform notarial acts throughout Alabama for your 4-year commission term.

Alabama's $50,000 notary bond is a type of surety bond that creates a financial guarantee protecting the public from losses caused by a notary's errors, omissions, or intentional misconduct. Understanding how these bonds function helps explain why Alabama requires them and what obligations they create.

The Three-Party Bond Agreement

Alabama notary bonds involve three parties: the principal (you, the notary), the obligee (the State of Alabama and the general public), and the surety (the insurance company issuing the bond). When you purchase your notary bond, the surety company guarantees to Alabama and the public that you will perform your notarial duties properly and in accordance with Alabama law.

Bond Claims and Your Financial Responsibility

If someone suffers financial loss due to your improper notarial act, they can file a claim against your $50,000 bond. The surety company investigates the claim and, if determined to be valid, pays the claimant up to the $50,000 bond limit. However, Alabama law requires you to reimburse the surety company for all amounts paid, plus investigation costs, legal fees, and other expenses.

This means the bond protects the public, not you personally. You remain ultimately financially responsible for any valid claims. This structure creates a powerful incentive for Alabama notaries to follow proper procedures, maintain accurate records, and perform their duties with care and competence. Claims against notary bonds can severely damage your credit rating and make it extremely difficult or impossible to obtain future notary bonds or professional licenses.

Common Reasons for Bond Claims in Alabama

Most claims against Alabama notary bonds arise from: improper identification of document signers, notarizing documents without the signer's personal appearance, failing to properly complete notarial certificates, notarizing documents in which the notary has a beneficial interest or is named as a party, backdating or predating notarial acts, or performing notarial acts outside the scope of authority. Comprehensive training, strict adherence to procedures, and complete documentation help prevent these costly errors.

Remote Online Notarization in Alabama

Alabama has embraced technology by enacting the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (URPERA), which enables electronic notarization and remote online notarization (RON) capabilities for Alabama notaries. This forward-thinking legislation allows Alabama notaries to serve clients remotely using audio-visual technology while maintaining security and authentication standards.

Alabama notaries interested in performing remote online notarizations must complete additional steps beyond the traditional notary requirements. The same $50,000 bond covers both traditional ink-and-paper notarial acts and electronic notarizations, providing comprehensive protection across all notarial services. RON technology has become particularly valuable for Alabama's real estate industry, legal profession, and businesses requiring rapid document execution across distances.

To become an Alabama eNotary capable of performing RON, notaries must register with the Alabama Secretary of State, maintain electronic journal records, use approved technology platforms that meet state security standards, and complete specialized training on electronic notarization procedures. The Alabama Law Institute training requirement introduced in September 2023 includes foundational information about electronic notarization, though additional vendor-specific training is typically necessary to operate RON platforms effectively.