How Do I Become a Notary Public?

Secure a Notary Application-Oath and Bond form from the Office of the Secretary of State, State Capitol Building, 500 East Capitol Ste 204, Pierre, SD 57501.

It is to your advantage to complete the application fully and correctly the first time, so that it need not be returned to you for additional information or correction. Please use a typewriter or print legibly in ink when completing the form.

Before you submit the application, please make sure that you complete the following:

* Purchase a notary seal from any office supply store or printing company in your area. You may purchase an embossing seal or a rubber stamp. The seal must contain your “name”, the words “Notary Public,” and “South Dakota”. If a rubber stamp is used the word “Seal” must be included and a border must surround the imprint of the seal. Once you have purchased a notary seal, make an imprint in the square box in the upper left hand corner of the application.

* Complete the oath and bond portions with your signature and the surety signature. The $5000 bond can be purchased from a local insurance company and you will pay the insurance company a premium for the six-year bond. If you do not want to purchase a notary bond, you may have a personal surety. To use a personal surety, omit the bond portion on the front page of the application and complete the backside. A personal surety can be a friend, relative, spouse or co-worker whom will sign on their own behalf and be liable for your $5000 bond if you perform any unlawful acts with your notary commission. A personal surety cannot be a company, business or organization and a personal surety cannot have his/her name removed for any reason.

* Each application must be approved by the Office of the Attorney General before the commission may be issued.

* Enclose a $25.00 filing fee, Make checks payable to Secretary of State.

* Complete the previous notary commission question, date of birth and felony conviction question.

* List a South Dakota address and South Dakota County on the application.

All applications received without the above requirements will be returned to the applicant’s address on the application. Failure to complete the application fully will result in denial of a Notary Public commission. A renewal requires the same procedure as an original application.

Only after you have received a Notary Commission Certificate issued by the Secretary of State, are you authorized to notarize documents. Also with the Notary Commission you will receive a Notary Public handbook for your reference.

If you have any questions, please contact the Notary Administrator, at (605) 773 3539.

Notary Administrator
State Capitol, 500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre SD 57501
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