How to Become a Notary Public in Montana

Checked against Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $25 (non-refundable)
Bond: $25,000 surety bond on the state's standard form (the SOS says it usually costs about $50 to $70 for the four-year term).
Commissioned by: Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old.
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
Live in Montana; or be the spouse or dependent of military personnel on active duty in Montana; or have a registered place of business in Montana; or be regularly employed in Montana; or hold a current Montana professional license.
Be able to read and write English.
Complete the required education and pass the state exam.
Not be disqualified under 1-5-621, MCA (for example, certain felonies or crimes involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit).

Step by step

Complete at least 4 hours of approved notary training within 12 months before you apply and save each certificate.
Take and pass the Montana notary exam no more than 6 months before you apply and save the certificate.
Buy a $25,000 notary surety bond on Montana's standard bond form. Sign it, and sign the Statement and Oath of Office in front of another notary.
Log in to the Secretary of State's online notary portal and complete the application. Upload your training certificate, exam certificate and bond.
Pay the $25 filing fee online.
When you get the approval email, download your commission certificate from the portal.
Buy a notary stamp that meets Montana's requirements and a notary journal.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: At least 4 hours of courses approved by the Secretary of State, completed within 12 months before applying. Renewing notaries need 4 hours in the 12 months before renewal, or 2 hours in each of the 3 years before renewal.

Exam: Montana notary exam administered online by the Secretary of State. You need 80% to pass. Take it no more than 6 months before applying. After 3 failed attempts, wait 3 months before retrying.

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

What it costs in Montana

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

4 hours of approved notary training (provider fees vary)$
$25,000 surety bond premium (4 years)$
Notarization of your bond's Statement and Oath of Office$
Application filing fee (Secretary of State)$25
Notary stamp$
Notary journal$
Remote/electronic notary course and exam(optional)$

Estimated total in Montana$25Plus 5 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Approved training course fees (set by providers)
Surety bond premium (about $50 to $70 per the SOS)
Notary seal/stamp
Notary journal (tamper-proof paper or tamper-evident electronic)
Separate approved course and exam for remote or electronic notarization

Pay in Montana

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Montana after taxes.

What other sites get wrong about Montana

Myth: Montana requires only a $10,000 notary bond.

Fact: Montana requires a $25,000 surety bond on the state's standard bond form. source

Myth: You can mail your Montana notary application with your bond and fee.

Fact: All applications must be filed online through the Secretary of State's notary portal; paper submissions are returned unprocessed. source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Repeat the same steps (4 hours of education, exam, new bond, online application and $25 fee); renewals open 30 days before expiration and close 30 days after.

Remote online notarization: Yes. Montana has allowed remote online notarization since October 1, 2019. You must notify the Secretary of State, name your technology, and complete an approved course and exam first, and you must be physically in Montana while notarizing.

Good to know in Montana

What you can charge: Up to $10 per notarial act (1-5-626, MCA). A travel fee of no more than the IRS mileage rate is allowed if the signer agrees in advance.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certifications Division before you apply.