North Dakota Notary Bond Requirements

Is a notary bond required in North Dakota?

Yes. North Dakota requires every notary public to file a $7,500 surety bond covering the notarial acts performed during the term of the commission. The bond is submitted on the state’s Notary Bond form (SFN 19355) together with the commission application. Applicants obtain the bond from an insurance company of their choice.

The bond exists to protect members of the public. If a notary’s misconduct or negligence causes a financial loss, an injured person can make a claim against the bond up to the $7,500 limit. Because the bond protects the public rather than the notary, the surety company can seek reimbursement from the notary for any amounts it pays out — which is why many notaries also carry separate errors and omissions coverage.

The bond is filed directly with the North Dakota Secretary of State as part of the application package; it is not recorded at the county level.

How to become a notary in North Dakota

1. Obtain a $7,500 surety bond on form SFN 19355 from an insurance company of your choice.
2. Sign the Notary Oath of Office in the presence of a notary public.
3. Submit the application, the bond, and the signed oath to the Secretary of State with the $36 fee.
4. After approval, the Secretary of State issues a Certificate of Authorization to Purchase a Notary Stamping Device; obtain a compliant stamp from a vendor of your choice.
5. Return an impression of the stamp on the Verification of Notary Public Stamping Device form by the date indicated.
6. The Secretary of State then issues the commission certificate. You may perform notarial acts only on or after the commencement date shown on the certificate.

The North Dakota stamp must include the words “Notary Public” and “State of North Dakota,” the notary’s name as authorized, and the commission expiration date, within a border and within the size limits the Secretary of State specifies.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in North Dakota

North Dakota requires the surety bond, but errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and serves a different purpose. The bond protects the public: it pays a claimant harmed by a notary’s error and then the surety may recover that amount from the notary. E&O insurance protects the notary — it can cover the notary’s defense and losses from covered mistakes, including reimbursement obligations to the surety company after a bond claim. The Secretary of State describes E&O as added protection “in addition to the required surety bond.”

Renewing your North Dakota commission

A North Dakota commission lasts four years. To continue serving, a notary must reapply before the commission expires and file a new $7,500 bond covering the new term, because the bond must cover the acts performed during the commission period. The renewal process mirrors the initial application: bond, oath of office, application, and fee, followed by re-verification of the stamping device if required. Notarizing outside the commission’s start and end dates violates state law.

Remote online notarization in North Dakota

North Dakota law allows electronic and remote notarization in addition to traditional in-person acts. A commissioned notary who wants to perform remote notarizations must follow the Secretary of State’s registration process and use approved communication technology and identity-verification methods. Notaries should review the Secretary of State’s electronic and remote notarization guidance before offering remote services.