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Becoming a Notary Public

The Notary Application includes the application and oath form and the process checklist. The application is the same for a new and renewal request.

Notary Application Process Checklist

Following these steps will help to ensure a complete application and timely approval. Failure to complete these steps accurately will cause the rejection of your application and a delay in receiving your commission.

  1. Obtain your Notary Seal.
    • Can be rubber, electronic or embossing stamp, shaped as a circle, square or rectangle, that reflects your name EXACTLY as you will be commissioned and as you will sign when notarizing.
    • Must include your name and the words "Notary Public" and "South Dakota." If the seal is a rubber stamp it must also include the word "seal".
    • As a renewal applicant, if you choose to include your expiration date with your seal, DO NOT include an expiration date inside the border of the seal. It must be outside the border.
  2. Complete the Notary Application
    • Make a legible imprint of your seal in the box. If you have two seals that won't fit in the box, include both on a separate sheet.
    • Complete your name EXACTLY as it appears on your seal.
    • The residence address MUST be your physical residential address. A post office box, business address or your mailing address alone is not acceptable. If your mailing address is different than your residence address, enter the address, city, state, and zip.
    • If you reside at an address in an out-of-state county bordering South Dakota, complete the Employer/Business Name and South Dakota Business Address. This MUST be a South Dakota address.
    • Complete the questions regarding whether you have been a South Dakota Notary, your date of birth and whether you have ever been convicted of a felony, if you have been a South Dakota Notary before, and if yes, enter your commission expiration date. Also, enter any name(s) you were previously commissioned under and answer whether you will be providing e-notary services.
    • NOTE: Failure to answer any of these questions correctly or leaving them blank will cause your application to be rejected.
  3. Complete the Oath portion of the application
    • Enter the county where the oath is signed.
    • Enter your name EXACTLY as it is on your seal and as it is entered in the top section.
    • Date and sign the Oath with your name EXACTLY as it appears on your seal (ex. If your seal has your middle name/initial, you must sign with your middle name/initial).
  4. Effective July 1st, 2025, the surety bond/Personal Surety Form is no longer required to apply and become a South Dakota Notary Public. If you still choose to purchase a surety bond, you may keep that paperwork in your own records as it does not need to be filed with our office. You only need to send in your application and oath.
  5. To obtain a copy of the application click here(Effective 07/01/2025).
  6. Enclose the $30.00 filing fee
    • Make checks payable to Secretary of State
    • Send completed application and payment to:
      • Secretary of State
        500 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 204
        Pierre, SD 57501

Only after you have received a Notary Commission Certificate issued by the Secretary of State, are you authorized to notarize documents.

Should you have any questions, contact our office at (605)773-3537 or email [email protected].