Alabama Secretary of State
Become a notary in Alabama
Notaries in Alabama are commissioned by the Alabama Secretary of State. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. Look up a commission with Government Records Inquiry (name, bonding company, issuance or expiration date).
Where to register
Applications go to the Alabama Secretary of State. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.
Commissioning page
Alabama Secretary of State
https://www.sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/notaries-publicOfficial lookup
Official lookup for commissioned notaries in Alabama.
https://www.sos.alabama.gov/government-records/notary-public
Requirements
What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.
- Where you apply
- Notaries apply with and are appointed by the probate judge of their county, not the Secretary of State.
- Term
- Commissions are for four years.
- Training
- Beginning September 1, 2023, new and renewal applicants must complete a pre-commission training program prepared by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute.
- Bond and fees
- Application, bond, and fee details are with the county probate judge. The SOS page does not list amounts.
How to get started
Contact your county probate judge
Alabama commissions through the probate judge. Use the SOS page to find that office.
Complete the pre-commission training
Ask the Alabama Probate Judges Association and the Alabama Law Institute for the training they publish.
File the application, bond, and fees there
The probate judge’s office handles appointment. The SOS keeps the public record after they report the commission.
Register on StampSide
After you use the Alabama Secretary of State site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the Alabama directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
Tools after you apply
Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.
Stamp or seal
The SOS page refers to a notary seal in the context of surrender after discipline. Buy a seal only after the probate judge commissions you. Use a named supplier for an Alabama-specific stamp.
Named suppliers on StampSideMore suppliers
Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.
StampSide supplies list
Register, then getting started
StampSide does not commission you — the Alabama Secretary of State does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
After you are commissioned
Appear in the Alabama directory. Closers and the public still confirm standing on the official site.
Other jurisdictions: all state guides · quiz · Train your eye.