How to Become a Notary Public in Indiana

Checked against Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services (INBiz) · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 8 years
State fee: $75.00
Bond: Surety bond of at least $25,000 with an 8-year term, naming you exactly as principal.
Commissioned by: Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services (INBiz)

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must live in Indiana or work mainly in Indiana.
If you live out of state, you must give your Indiana employer's details and upload an Employer Consent form.
You cannot have convictions or civil rulings involving deceit, dishonesty, or fraud.
You cannot have a conviction with a sentence of more than six months.

Step by step

Get an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History record.
Buy a surety bond of at least $25,000 with an 8-year term from an Indiana-authorized provider.
Start your application in the Applicant Hub and pay the $75 fee.
Upload your bond, a signature sample, and your criminal history record.
Complete the education course and pass the exam in the Learner Hub.
Wait about 5 to 10 business days for final review after you pass.
Do not notarize until you receive your commission.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Online education course through the Secretary of State Learner Hub. Course length is not stated. Continuing education is also required every two years at $50 per course.

Exam: State exam in the Secretary of State Learner Hub: 30 questions, pass with at least 80% (24 correct). If you fail, wait 24 hours to retry; attempts are unlimited.

Practice for the notary exam free — role & powers, prohibited acts, and procedures & recordkeeping →

What it costs in Indiana

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History record$16.32
$25,000 surety bond premium (8-year term)$
Application fee (includes education course and exam)$75
Notary seal and supplies$
Remote notary authorization(optional)$100
Continuing education course ($50 every 2 years; required to keep the commission)$50

Estimated total in Indiana$141.32Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

$16.32 Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History record
Continuing education: $50 per course every two years ($150 over the term)
Surety bond premium
Notary seal and supplies
Card convenience fee if you pay by card

Pay in Indiana

Indiana adds a local income tax on top of the state rate, so look up the local rate for your area before you budget.

How long it takes

INBiz says to allow 5 to 10 business days for final review after you pass the exam; do not notarize until your commission arrives.

What other sites get wrong about Indiana

Myth: An Indiana notary only needs a $5,000 bond.

Fact: Indiana requires a surety bond of at least $25,000 with an 8-year term, naming you exactly as principal. source

Myth: The Indiana notary application and commission fee is $11.22.

Fact: The application fee is $75, and it covers the required education course and exam. source

Myth: Indiana notaries can charge at most $2 per notarial act.

Fact: The Secretary of State says a notary may charge $10 per notarial act and a remote notary $25 per remote act, plus travel at the federal mileage rate. source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Renew in the Applicant Hub within 90 days before expiration with a current criminal history record; the renewal fee is $75.

Remote online notarization: Yes. Active Indiana notaries can apply to be remote notaries after an online course and remote exam, a $100 fee, and use of an approved vendor.

Good to know in Indiana

Renewal and continuing education: Renewal now issues a brand-new commission number. Keep using your old number until the old commission expires, and order a new stamp for the new number. Missing a continuing-education deadline permanently expires your commission, and you must apply again as new. INBiz says your State Police record must be no older than 30 days (the May 2026 FAQ says 6 months), so get it shortly before applying.

What you can charge: A notary may charge up to $10 per notarial act (IC 33-42-14-1) and a remote notary up to $25 per remote act (IC 33-42-17-9). Travel may be charged at the federal mileage rate.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services (INBiz) before you apply.