How to Become a Notary Public in Mississippi

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
• Have lived in Mississippi for more than 30 days.
• Be able to read and write English.
• Have no felony conviction in the last 10 years, and not be in prison or on parole.
• Have no notary commission denied, revoked, suspended, restricted, or resigned in the last 5 years.

Step by step

1. Fill out Form NP-001, Application for Notary Public Commission.
2. Sign it in front of a notary, who notarizes your signature.
3. Mail it with the $25 fee to Secretary of State, Business Services Division, P.O. Box 136, Jackson, MS 39205-0136.
4. Get a $5,000 surety bond from a surety licensed in Mississippi.
5. After the Governor approves your application, file your bond and Oath of Office within 60 days or your application lapses.
6. Receive your commission certificate by email.
7. Buy an official seal or stamp that shows your county of residence.
8. Keep a journal of every notarial act.

Official application →

What it costs in Mississippi

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

How long it takes

The Secretary of State says the process should take less than one week if you send a complete application with your bond and oath.

After you're commissioned

Renewal: You may apply for reappointment starting 90 days before your commission expires, and you must file at least 60 days before it expires (Rule 2.5). File a new application and oath, then submit a new bond once approved. Keep your tangible journal for 10 years after its last entry.

Remote online notarization: Official sources describe only in-person electronic notarization, which needs a separate approved application; remote online notarization is not described for Mississippi notaries; ask the Secretary of State before you plan on it.

Good to know in Mississippi

What you can charge: Up to $5 per signature for acknowledgments, jurats and signature witnessings, and $5 per person for an oath or affirmation without a signature (Secretary of State Notary Rule 9.1, under Miss. Code 25-34-51 et seq.). A separate travel fee is allowed if agreed in advance.

Renewal cost: Reappointment uses a new application, so it costs the $25 application fee again, plus a new $5,000 bond once you are approved.

Sources

• Mississippi SOS - Notaries FAQs
• Mississippi SOS - Notary Application (Form NP-001)
• Form NP-001, revised 9/2026 (PDF)
• Mississippi SOS - Notaries & Apostilles
• Revised Mississippi Law on Notarial Acts - Notary Rules (PDF)
• Mississippi SOS - Notaries FAQs (current URL)