Vermont Notary Requirements and E&O Insurance

Is a notary bond required in Vermont?

No. Vermont does not require a notary public to post a surety bond. The commissioning law, Title 26, Chapter 103 of the Vermont Statutes, sets out qualifications, examination, and renewal requirements but contains no bond provision. Instead of posting a bond, applicants qualify by meeting eligibility criteria, passing an exam, and paying the application fee.

Vermont notaries are regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), which sits within the Secretary of State’s office—an arrangement more like a professional license than the traditional appointment used in many states. Because there is no bond, no financial guarantee is posted on a notary’s behalf, and a person harmed by a notary’s misconduct would look to the notary directly.

Notaries who want protection against the cost of defending or settling a claim from an alleged error can purchase optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance for their own benefit; it is not required to be commissioned.

How to become a notary in Vermont

OPR administers the process through its online system. Under 26 V.S.A. § 5341, an applicant must:

1. Meet eligibility requirements. Be at least 18; be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; and be a resident of Vermont or have a place of employment or practice in the state.
2. Not be disqualified under § 5342.
3. Pass the basic examination approved by the Office. (Applications received before February 1, 2021 did not require the exam; initial applicants after that date do.)
4. Complete the online application and pay the $30 fee by debit card, credit card, or ACH.
5. Respond to any additional requests. OPR notifies applicants by email if more items are needed.

A stamp is optional in Vermont—notaries are not required to have or affix an official stamp—but any stamp used must be reproducible, include the notary’s name and jurisdiction, and must not include the Vermont State Seal.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in Vermont

Because Vermont requires no bond, the only insurance-type product relevant here is optional E&O coverage. A surety bond, had one been required, would protect the public and require the notary to reimburse the surety after a paid claim. E&O insurance is the opposite: it protects the notary by covering legal defense and settlement costs arising from an honest mistake. In Vermont, carrying E&O is purely a personal risk-management decision and has no bearing on being commissioned.

Renewing your Vermont commission

Vermont notaries renew on a two-year cycle. Under 26 V.S.A. § 5343, OPR sends a renewal notice biennially, and upon receipt of the completed renewal, the fee, and evidence of eligibility, the Office issues a new commission. Renewing notaries must complete continuing education approved by the Office—not required to exceed two hours—during the preceding two-year period. If you do not renew by midnight of the day your commission expires, late penalties apply, and any stamp showing an expired commission date must be replaced. Because no bond is required, there is no bond to renew.

Remote online notarization in Vermont

Vermont allows remote notarization. Per OPR’s FAQ, remote notarization by all notaries public is permitted under Part 4 of the Emergency Rules for Remote and Electronic Notarial Acts, and electronic notarization is also allowed. Notaries planning to perform remote or electronic acts should follow OPR’s current rules and any technology requirements, which are administered by the Office and may be updated.

Non-resident notaries in Vermont

Vermont’s statute is comparatively open on residency. Under § 5341, an applicant may qualify by being a resident of Vermont or by having a place of employment or practice in the state. That means a non-resident who works or practices in Vermont may be eligible, subject to the other qualifications and OPR’s current guidance.