How to Become a Notary in Alabama

Quick Facts

Minimum Age

18

Residency Required

Yes
Education Required
No
Exam Required
No
Background Check
No
Bond Requirement
Yes
Commission Term
4 Years
Journal Required
No
Stamp Requirement
Yes
Last updated: 18-Jun-24

Steps

  • Background Check: Yes
  • Exam: Exam is not required.
  • 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.
  • 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

Application

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:
  • The applicant is not a resident of this state.
  • The applicant makes the application to a judge who is not the :iudge of probate of the county of the applicant’s residence.
  • The applicant has been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude.
  • The applicant is currently a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding.
  • The applicant is under a current order adjudicating him or her incapacitated.
  • The applicant provides false information on the application.
  • 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.

Take the Notary Fundamentals Course Today

This affordable, easy-to-follow course helps you understand the job, the process,
and whether becoming a notary is right for you.
ENROLL NOW

Providers

CalNotary Academy

Online, self-paced (Affiliate)

California Notary Training Co

Live webinar options (Affiliate)

List of all approved vendors

Required Supplies

  • California Notary Stamp
  • Notary Journal (Paper or Electronic)
  • $15,000 Surety Bond
  • Live Scan Service Info
  • Optional: E&O Insurance

Contact

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.

Take the Notary Fundamentals Course Today

This affordable, easy-to-follow course helps you understand the job, the process,
and whether becoming a notary is right for you.
ENROLL NOW

Other States

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