How to Become a Notary in Alabama

Quick Facts

Minimum Age

18

Residency Required

Yes

Education Required

No

Exam Required

No

Yes

Background Check Required

Bond Requirement

Yes

Commission Term

4 years

Journal Required

No

Stamp Requirement

Yes

Last updated
August , 2025

Steps to Become a Notary in Alabama

Education:
Yes. Effective September 1, 2023, all notary applicants, unless exempted by law, must successfully complete an approved Online Notary Public Training Course provided by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute. This training program must be completed within 30 days after submitting the application. However, an exam is not required.
Education Final:
Yes, must complete an approved online training course.
Exam:
No exam is required
Exam Final:
No exam is required.
Background Check:
The Alabama Background Check System (ABC) is a secure, web-based site that allows qualifying employers to access the most up to date, comprehensive Alabama criminal records available for current and prospective employees
Background Check Final:
Yes, must complete an authorized backround check
Bond:
Notaries public shall give bond with sureties, obtained from an Alabama licensed producer of such bonds, to be approved by the judge of probate of the county of their residence, in the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), payable to the State of Alabama, and conditioned to faithfully discharge the duties of such the office so long as they may continue therein or discharge any of the duties thereof. Such The bond shall be executed, approved. filed. and recorded in the office of the judge of probate of the county of their residence, before they enter on the duties of such the office. https://www.sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/notaries-public
Bond Final:
Yes, $50,000 bond from a licenses provider.
Applictation:
Each applicant for notary public commission shall pay a ten dollar ($10) application fee. A Judge of probate may accept or deny any application for notary public commission. as developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institue, and shall deny an application for notary public commission on any of the following grounds: (1) The applicant is not a resident of this state. (2) The applicant makes the application to a judge who is not the :iudge of probate of the county of the applicant’s residence. (3) The applicant has been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude. (4) The applicant is currently a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding. (5) The applicant is under a current order adjudicating him or her incapacitated. (6) The applicant provides false information on the application. (7) The applicant is unable or unwilling to successfully complete the training program required in subsection (e) within 30 days after submitting his or her application. This time frame may be extended by the judge of probate upon good cause shown.
Applictation Final:
Yes, application and a fee required
Order Supplies:
Alabama notary stamps are a unique and essential tool used by notaries in order to authenticate documents, certify signatures, and attest to the execution of various legal proceedings. Notary stamps make it possible to produce certified copies of documents with accuracy, ensuring that they meet the required standards for authentication. Notary supplies are essential for any Alabama notary public in order to record, authenticate and protect the legal documents they work with. Notaries must always use high-quality, reliable supplies when working on official documents, such as notary journals, seals and stamps. Notary supplies help ensure that all steps of the notarial process are quick and accurate.
Order Supplies Final:
Stamp Required
File Oath And Commission:
Unclear
File Oath And Commission Final:
By Jurisdiction
Other Final (optional)
None

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Alabama Secretary of State

Notary Public Section

Alabama notaries are appointed and commissioned by the probate judges of the various counties. The county probate judges report the name, county, date of issuance, and date of expiration of the commission of each notary public appointed and commissioned to the Alabama Secretary of State.
Always Verify the Information with your State’s Official Notary Licensing Agency.

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